Medical Officer at the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS)

The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) was established through an Act of the Parliament in 1960 to complement public authorities in humanitarian interventions with the mandate to prevent and alleviate human suffering at times of peace or conflict, and to support individuals and communities to respond effectively to emergencies, without any form of discrimination as to class, gender, race, political opinions or religion.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Medical Officer

Location: Takum LGA, Taraba
Reports to: Project Officer
Duration: 3months Extendable

Background

• Since the conflict in southern Cameroon began in October 2016, displaced persons cross the border into neighboring Nigeria in search of safety, stability and a better life. As of 31 October 2019, there are more than 46,000 Cameroonian refugees registered in Cross River, Benue, Taraba, and Akwa Ibom States in the south-eastern region of Nigeria.
• With support from UNHCR, Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) is implementing the project seeks to strengthen access and delivery of quality healthcare and nutrition services to 6000 Cameroon refugees and host communities in Taraba state of Nigeria.
• NRCS focus on strengthening the health care systems in refugees host communities in Takum and Sardauna LGAs of Taraba State through support to free delivery of healthcare to pregnant women, children under 5 years of age, the elderly (above 60years of age) and most vulnerable including but not limited to the disable and mentally ill. The project also support medical outreach and referral linkages of affected population to national free priority health interventions including but not limited to immunization, HIV care, and sexual and reproductive health in order to improve health outcomes.

Job Summary

• Under the guidance of Project Officer, the Medical Officer shall be responsible for ensuring that effective, efficient and quality clinical services are provided at the respective health facilities where he/she shall be stationed.
• He/She shall be responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical supplies are available for effective service delivery.
• The medical officer will work in collaboration with other officers in community health and reproductive health to ensure that there is an on-going provision of services that are safe for the beneficiaries both at the community level and health facility.
• He/ She shall also give oversight and guidance to health workers on proper management of medical conditions according to the Ministry of Health guidelines.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure Quality clinical service for patients provided. This will include services in the community and supported health facilities.
• Ensure high risk cases are identified, reviewed and referred properly.
• Ensure that all supported health facilities activites are organized and managed
• Ensure POCs are treated with dignity and respect.
• Ensure that staff appraisal are done timely.
• Ensure that activity reports are submitted timely.
• Undertake in patients consultation and physical examination
• Monitoring and administering Medication
• Conduct outreach services to host communities where the PoCs are residing
• Promoting health education
• Lead the medical team in providing health care to the POC's/HC.
• Attend to all referrals from PHC facilities in Gembu, Yerimaru and CBHFV.
• Responsible for all emergency cases from the PHCs.
• Liaising daily with clinical staff including other doctors, nonmedical management staffs and health care professionals
• Prepare a note for the file for all referral cases.
• Undertake any other responsibility as designated by PO, PM and NRCS Management.

Core Clinical Duties

• Provide comprehensive evaluation and delivery of health services to persons of concern according to ministry of health guidelines and protocols and UNHCR public health strategy.
• Coordinate integrated service delivery at the health facilities including, but not limited to; mental health, NCD’s, Nutrition, HIV care and RH including coordination of consultancy and outreach visits.
• Conduct daily ward rounds for IPD patients and attend to all emergencies
• Ensure adequate health team coverage of the clinics and rationale prescription and use of medicines and medical supplies.
• Monitor availability of supplies and promptly alert the clinical services and health managers.
• Coordinate clinical audits, chart reviews and mortality audits as part of continuous learning and improvement of activities.
• Identify training needs and provide just-in-time training and mentorship for the multi-disciplinary health care teams.
• Promptly evaluate patients for referral and follow up to ensure services are accessed at the point of referral.
• Support the implementation of emergency reproductive health services including basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
• Coordinate with district health authorities and other agencies to avoid duplication of services in the settlements and to optimize health outcomes through increased access to life saving interventions.
• Actively participate in mobilizing and educating the refugee community to adopt health promoting behaviors.
• Ensure consistent and timely collection, utilization and reporting of community health and facility-based health data.
• Represent the health program and maintain effective and cordial relationship with district health authorities and other district officials, UN agencies, Community leaders and other NGO’s.
• Conduct disease surveillance activities and manage outbreaks.

Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Medicine and Surgery
• Must be registered with Nigeria Medical and Dental Practitioner’s council
• Must possess a valid practicing license
• At least two years' experience in clinical work or humanitarian settings.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Good track record of clinical management of common ailments.
• Working contacts within health sector, including district health care authorities and other NGO's.
• Fluency in English and any other relevant local language.
• Strong analytical orientation and sound judgment
• Pro-activeness, resourcefulness, punctuality, responsibility.
• Excellent administrative/management skills.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Solid understanding of the social, economic and political context of a refugee setting.
• Dedication to the NRCS principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural background
• Proficiency in current office software applications (MS- word, excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability and willingness to stay at the project sites is required
• Ability to respect and maintain medical secrets and confidentiality at all times
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long distance walking to distribution sites.
• High level of integrity
• Excellent Advocacy skills
• Technical knowledge of reproductive health and modern contraceptive methods.
• Excellent report writing
• Coordination and team-building skills
• Strong interpersonal communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to multitask and work with minimal supervision
• Excellent MS Office skills (including Word, Excel, Power-point etc.).

Application Closing Date
12th October, 2020.