Description

Vacancy Announcement

Job title:

Internal Medicine Consultant

Work Location:

Koidu Government Hospital (Kono District)

Department:

Clinial

Reports to:

Medical Director PIH-SL

Line Management

TBD

Requisition #

4242

Duration of Contract

Twelve (12) Months with possibility of extension

Application Status

For International Candidates

Organisation Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world.

Our Work In Sierra Leone:

Partners In Health (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview

The internal Medicine Consultant is expected to bring to the existing clinical team working at those PIH-supported facilities high level of knowledge and skills that will progressively contribute to the organization ambition to provide high quality of clinical services to the people that we served, as well as to support the vision to train the next generation of health care workers in the country by providing effective mentorship, on-the-job training and formal training sessions to the clinical staff.

The consultant is also expected to contribute to the overall PIH-SL strategies and planning processes by sharing his/her expertise to support the development of tools, clinical guidelines, clinical protocols and other related documents to improve standards of care in the facility. He/she will also participate in PIH’s effort to strengthen our partnership with the ministry of health (MOH) by also sharing his/her experience and expertise on areas related to MOH effort to strengthen the provision of quality of care to its population.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Serve as part of the Internal Medicine team at Koidu Government Hospital (KGH) as an Internal Medicine Consultant and second opinion to clinicians of other PIH sites (Wellbody Clinic, SLPTH, Lakka Teaching Hospital and CHCs).
• Daily rounds in Medical Wards (male and female) and/or Emergency Unit as the Internal Medicine consultant.
• This position will support the other clinical staff to develop expertise and knowledge in Internal Medicine (Medical officers, Clinical officers, CHOs, nurses).
  • Participate in the roster of Internal medicine to cover with the other members of the Internal Medicine team the clinical services 24/7 in the Emergency and Internal Medicine department as needed with close mentorship of CHO and Medical Officers and nurses during the clinical rounds.
    • Work with the PIH HIV/TB Program Manager to provide high standards of care to the patients in these areas, supportive supervision to health care workers for HIV/TB services in KGH (Including testing, treating, OI management, etc).
    • Support with technical and clinical advice to the team at the Infectious diseases Unit in the management of HIV, TB and MDR TB patients.
    • Clinical support to Maternity & surgical department at KGH on patients with medical conditions.
    • Facilitating the growth of outpatient care, focused on NCDs and Hepatitis B clinics at KGH as the senior clinician.
    • Referral technical advice – collaborate with the Director of Nursing, Clinical services Lead & Social Work Program Manager as needed for patients requiring referral for diagnostic or specialty services to other facilities

      Development of guidelines, protocols and systems for clinical care delivery:

      • Development and update of standard operation procedures (SOPs) and protocols for clinical management at KGH
      • Management of medical cases according to national and international clinical guidelines in the wards with bedside teaching for medical officers and CHOs.
      • Develop system implementation, and quality improvement projects to improve the quality of care of the patients.
      • Participation in district hospitals, outpatient clinics, community health clinics case reviews, and other activities that may increase the knowledge and expertise in Clinical Medicine with special interest in Internal Medicine and Infectious diseases, as required.

        Data collection and research

        • The Internal Medicine consultant is also expected to actively participate in and support the PIH program systems, such as the data collection systems and feedback loops, the KPI presentations and discussions and other general systems that will help support the General clinical outcomes and the Clinical Outcomes in particular.
        • Support research activities that may be implemented in collaboration with other clinical teams, SHIS and Research team; give advice and guidance to students (CHOs, Clinical officers, Laboratory scientists, etc) to develop their dissertation and research projects.

          Clinical and Academical Training

          • Actively participate in the planning and the teaching of the Bachelor’s degree in Internal medicine program and other different academic programs at the KGH
          • The Internal medicine consultant at KGH, in collaboration with the Clinical services Lead, Director of Nursing and Clinical educator, is also expected to actively make inputs to the clinical trainings curriculum for other cadres of clinical staff at KGH.
          • Interest in Clinical and Academic development of the facility and its staff.

            Administration and Program Management

            • Work closely with the Medical Director and Director Clinical programs and Kono Leadership team on strategic planning and budgeting for our Medical work.

              Other Additional skills/ knowledge/experience that will be considered:

              • HIV/TB clinical and program management
              • Experience in treating malaria, Hepatitis B and other Infectious diseases
              • Experience in management of Non communicable diseases (NCD) such as HTN, DM, CV disease, Cancer, Sickle disease, Mental health.
              • Experience in Emergency and Acute Critical medicine
              • Experience un system development, project management and quality improvement is desirable
              • Experience in Clinical education is desirable.
              • Experience in Ultrasound is desirable

                Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

                At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Partners In Health’s PSEAH policy. Partner In Health will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during emploment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures

                Qualifications/Requirements

                • Qualifications: Consultant or equivalent level in Internal medicine (More than 5 years of experience after graduation), preferable through Post Graduate training/Residency specialization. Professional registration in home country.
                • Experience: At least 5 years post-registration experience. Experience in delivering medical education for an academic institution is essential.
                • Personal Characteristics: Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills, as well as confidence working within a multicultural team and with senior nurses and CHOs from partner institutions; skilled at multitasking and prioritizing, working independently with minimal supervision, and leading and designing projects autonomously; an appreciation of the philosophy behind PIH health partnerships.
                  • It would be advantageous if the candidate had:
                    • An educational qualification, Master in Global health or diploma in tropical medicine (or equivalent)
                    • More than 6 months’ experience of work experience in low resources settings.
                    • Previous experience of working in similar setting to Sierra Leone will be appreciated.
                    • Experience in HIV/TB, Tropical diseases and Emergency care preferred.
                    • Skills in use of Ultrasound

                      A successful candidate will lead by example, embodying the values of PIH, including: doing whatever it takes to provide the highest level of service to our patients; treating every member of our organization and community with equal respect and dignity; fostering a sense of generosity and teamwork; and working patiently, yet persistently, to accompany our government partners to achieve our shared goals.

                      Other requirements:

                      • A strong commitment to social justice and health as a human right is essential in all aspects of the leadership and management
                      • Ability to be flexible and effective in the face of unexpected challenges.
                      • Exemplary interpersonal communication skills, verbal and written, required to effectively engage with senior leadership, partners, and clinicians on sensitive political and confidential issues.
                      • Proven ability to exercise good judgment, demonstrate political astuteness, and tact.
                      • Sense of humor and flexible disposition very helpful.