COUNTRY Uganda
REQUIRED LANGUAGES English
TYPE OF CONTRACT Fixed-term contract – paid (6 months)
NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS Degree in Nursing; 3 years’ continuous professional experience in paediatric theatre as a scrub.
This role requires complete and autonomous management of the technical and operational, patient care and organisational tasks of the Operating Theatre department.
BACKGROUND AND ORGANISATION OF WORK
The International Operating Theatre Nurse supervises, teaches and works alongside the national staff colleagues carrying out the various nursing tasks and roles in the operating theatre (scrub nurse, running nurse) and in areas auxiliary to surgical activity (sterilisation services).
The international Operating Theatre Nurse is responsible to the Medical Coordinator, who is in charge of the management and organisation of the project.
The main areas of work are:
- STERILISATION;
- OPERATING THEATRES: 3 operating theatres for Paediatric Surgery (emergency or elective) depending on the admissions criteria of the Centre.
The workload and rotation are variable, depending on the needs and organisational set-up of the hospital; there will usually be at least one day off a week, with on-call 24/7 in case of surgical emergency.
The international OT Nurse organises the work of the national staff in his/her area of responsibility, together with the Medical Coordinator of the project.
DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES
All EMERGENCY international personnel are expected to know and follow the hospital admissions criteria, guidelines, protocols, and the diagnosis and treatment standards in use in the Centre, and to ensure the correct compilation of clinical records and statistics in both computer and paper formats.
The main duties and responsibilities of the international OT nurse – scrub are:
- management and supervision of sterilisation services;
- preparation of the theatre for operations and organisation of the work of the national team in theatre;
- direct participation in surgical procedures;
- assistance in clinical research and record keeping as required by the scientific programmes of the specialist sector of the Medical Division of EMERGENCY.
STERILISATION SERVICES
Each Centre is equipped to carry out the following procedures:
- steam sterilisation via autoclave, including very basic models;
- chemical sterilisation using formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde…;
- quality control of the sterilisation processes in use, via the appropriate tests (Bowie-Dick, biological and chemical tests).
MANAGEMENT AND ORDERS OF STOCKS AND SUPPLIES
The international OT nurse is responsible for checking that levels of supplies of materials and equipment are always adequate in terms of quantity and quality, and for informing the team leader (where present) or Medical Coordinator of any requirements.
MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING OF LOCAL PERSONNEL
Clinical activities and patient care are always carried out alongside and in collaboration with local personnel, who thus benefit from training in the field. There is also provision for more specific teaching activities, managed by the international specialists, in accordance with the individual needs of each hospital.
The technological level of the equipment present in the Centres is suited to the clinical and managerial protocols in use, and the level of professional autonomy of the national staff, with the aim of achieving – and sustaining – high standards of care. Diagnostic equipment, basic laboratory tests, technical and auxiliary services are always available.
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN PEDIATRIC SURGERY – UGANDA
The Centre offers free treatment of excellence in Paediatric Surgery; it will be a reference point for Ugandan patients and children with surgical needs (up to 15 years of age) from all over Africa. Entebbe Hospital is the second structure of ANME (African Network of Medical Excellence), the “Health Network of Excellence in Africa” created in 2009 to develop free healthcare systems of excellence in the continent.
The Centre of Excellence in Paediatric Surgery puts into practice our healthcare model based on the principles of Equality, Quality and Social Responsibility (EQS). As confirmed by World Health Organization data, Uganda is still a long way from achieving the Millennium Goals on reducing child mortality.
The hospital has 72 beds, 3 operating theatres, a 6-bed paediatric intensive care unit and all the diagnostic and auxiliary services necessary for its operation, such as laboratory, blood bank, pharmacy, canteen, laundry.
Initially, the admission criteria will be as follows:
- General Paediatric Surgery;
- Paediatric Urology;
- The following are excluded in this first phase: Neonatal Surgery, Emergency and Trauma Surgery, Oncological Surgery and Specialist Paediatric Surgery.
GUIDELINES, PROTOCOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Further information on the guidelines, protocols and clinical services relevant to the post along with details of the instruments and equipment available will be provided at interview and during the period of preparation for the mission.
The general requirements and conditions apply to all the international staff.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- Nursing Degree (or equivalent Diploma) and current registration on the professional nursing register of your Country of residence;
- at least 3 years’ continuous professional experience in Paediatric Surgery.
REQUIRED AVAILABILITY
6 months’ overseas stay including a period of leave to be taken at the end of the mission in agreement with the coordinator.