Médecins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian medical association founded in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: primarily in cases of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, or even exclusion from healthcare.
Mission
Provide pediatric care in hospital or outpatient settings, adhering to the most appropriate and up-to-date practices, as well as MSF’s protocols, values, and universal hygiene standards, with the aim of improving the health of newborns and young children.
Main responsibilities
- Apply medical knowledge and skills to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of children and newborns and ensure integrated management of pediatric care in emergency departments, outpatient clinics, hospital departments for newborns and malnutrition cases. Prescribe the necessary treatments, in accordance with MSF protocols .
- Work closely with the various departments within the hospital (e.g., maternity). Know, apply and enforce the latest MSF medical protocols and universal hygiene standards to reduce biological risks and improve infection control.
- As a pediatric expert, propose the strategy (modification of the current management of care for newborns and children) and implement it after validation by the Operations and Pediatrics Advisor.
- Provide ongoing training (theoretical and practical) to the multidisciplinary medical/paramedical team to optimize the quality of care provided to newborns and children. Review and discuss difficult case selections or errors made, providing technical input.
- Regularly inform patients and their families about the illness and the treatment to be followed and check that the explanations have been understood. Ensure respect for patient autonomy and confidentiality of information; at the patient’s bedside, adopt the appropriate attitude towards the patient, caregivers and the rest of the medical team.
- Monitor the progress of hospitalized patients internally: daily visits, consultations and examinations, prescribing necessary treatments in accordance with MSF protocols ; in collaboration with other doctors, decide whether they can leave the hospital or be transferred to another department and inform the family of the evolution of the patient’s condition.
- Monitor the proper functioning of the department, equipment and materials and draw up a list of missing items for the care of newborns and children. Contribute to the general organization of the pediatric department, including admission, transfer and discharge criteria + referral procedure for maternity and postpartum services.
- Check and then control the rational distribution of medicines and equipment under its responsibility and focus on the quality, disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment. Guarantee compliance by all with current hygiene standards.
- Participate in the creation/improvement of the collection and analysis of epidemiological data on newborns and children and verify its validity; inform his/her direct superior or the project coordinator of any problems or complications with a patient or regarding medical errors. Gather clinical cases for upcoming training sessions and provide feedback to improve MSF protocols .
- Manage the team under his/her direct responsibility in accordance with HR policies and procedures; supervise work, organize and plan the rotation of shift teams and intervene directly during emergencies and on request when needed. As needed, design and deliver team training sessions.
- Debrief with coordination and headquarters (including the Pediatric Advisor) and provide a written report on the main findings, activities and conclusions with additional recommendations.
Profile sought:
Formation :
- Holder of a medical degree
- Specialization in pediatrics or ongoing specialization with at least three years of professional experience in pediatrics (need to have the pediatrician diploma depending on operational needs)
Experience :
- Recent clinical experience (at least six months within the last two years)
- Recommendation to have PALS (or equivalent training) or update within the last 3 years
SKILLS :
- Personnel management and development
- Adherence to MSF principles
- Flexibility of behavior
- Results and sense of quality
- Teamwork and cooperation
Languages : French and/or fluent English
Status and conditions : Fixed-term contract of 3 to 6 months, field position. Salary according to the MSF salary scale.
Position to be filled: as soon as possible
How to apply
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