Isolation Unit Nurse, International Rescue Committee, Sierra Leone

Isolation Unit Nurse

Posted on: October 6, 2014
Application deadline: December 5, 2014
Posted by: International Rescue Committee

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a prominent international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression.

The International Rescue Committee is in discussions to run a 24 (40)-bed, Ebola Isolation Unit in Bo, Sierra Leone. The Unit will be a high-capacity, isolated unit which will require the oversight of 87 staff including 7 international staff, over a period of 3 months. Given the magnitude of the need, the plan is to set up the Unit immediately. Staff safety is an absolute priority and strict adherence to infection control procedures with be undertaken to protect staff. Given the tedious nature of the work, personal protective equipment which must be worn at all times in the heat and need for strict adherence to infection control protocols, staff will have ample rest time.

SCOPE OF WORK/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Isolation Unit Nurse will will be responsible for management and coordination duties for all aspects of the Ebola Isolation Unit and triage unit at Bo Government Hospital.

Under the direct supervision of the Health Coordinator (Ebola Case Management Coordinator) the responsibilities of the Isolation Unit Nurse will be to:

• Assuming responsibility for overall clinical care at the IU. Ensure provision of appropriate medical care to all patients in isolation wards
• Supervise national staff to provide direct patient care and rehydration, monitoring of patients, observations for symptoms for physician rounding, nutritional support, patient bathing and appropriate and caring communication with the patients
• Maintain shifts and working schedules
• Evaluations and performance maintenance
• Communicate to HC any training needs or deficits of personnel
• Provide training in infection control practices for national staff (nurses)
• Ensuring that clinical management and infection prevention and control procedures are being applied by clinical staff according to a strict protocol
• Maintain and replenish separate easily accessible stores for all supplies
• Maintain inventory of supplies and anticipate timing of replenishment
• Ensuring that clinical management and infection prevention and control procedures are being applied by clinical staff according to a strict protocol.
• Providing on the job training to clinical staff
• Oversight of the PPE, drug management and medical supply systems
• This position will enter the wet area of the ETC

• Staff Supervision & Development
  • Directly supervise national IU staff (70 - 80 people )
  • Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
  • Overall responsible for staff work plans, work and vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities
  • If/as required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies
• Other
  • Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC HC (ECMC) and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
  • Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs
• Professional Standards
  • All IRC staff are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate will be a registered nurse who has clinical experience mostly in isolation wards and emergencies, with demonstrated and repeated experience working in isolation centers for viral hemorrhagic fevers or secondarily, field hospitals or cholera treatment centers.

• Bachelor or equivalent in nursery or Public Health degrees
• Minimum of 3 years related program management experience in a development setting; direct services experience and previous work in nursery programming preferred.
• Experience in Africa essential, preferably in West Africa and experience in Sierra Leone a strong advantage
• Strong leadership, management, planning, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills;
• Ability to live and work in stressful and insecure environment;
• Excellent initiator, able to manage multiple tasks.
• Able to work under pressure and good at timely decision making.
• Competent in Microsoft Office, Word and Excel
• Knowledge and/or experience in conflict management, protection, or other related field;
• Excellent professional approach and strong team building skills.
• Strong coordination and representation skills and well versed in convincing and clarification of views and points.

HOW TO APPLY

Please follow this link to apply: Click Here