Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.
A worldwide movement
MSF was founded in Paris, France in 1971. Its principles are described in the organisation’s founding charter. It is a non-profit, self-governed organisation.
Today, MSF is a worldwide movement of 24 associations, bound together as MSF International, based in Switzerland.
Thousands of health professionals, logistical and administrative staff – most of whom are hired locally – work on programmes in some 70 countries worldwide.
Humanitarian action
MSF’s work is based on humanitarian principles. We are committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.
MSF operates independently. We conduct our own evaluations on the ground to determine people’s needs. More than 90 per cent of our overall funding comes from millions of private sources, not governments.
MSF is neutral. We do not take sides in armed conflicts, we provide care on the basis of need, and we push for independent access to victims of conflict as required under international humanitarian law.
Bearing witness and speaking out
MSF medical teams often witness violence and neglect in the course of their work, largely in regions that receive scant international attention.
At times, MSF may speak out publicly in an effort to bring a forgotten crisis to public attention, to alert the public to abuses occurring beyond the headlines, to criticise the inadequacies of the aid system, or to challenge the diversion of humanitarian aid for political interests.
Quality medical care
MSF rejects the idea that poor people deserve third-rate medical care and strives to provide high-quality care to patients. In 1999, when MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the organisation announced the money would go towards raising awareness of and fighting against neglected diseases.
Through the Access Campaign, and in partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, this work has helped lower the price of HIV/AIDS treatment and stimulated research and development for medicines to treat malaria and neglected diseases like sleeping sickness and kala azar.Main Purpose
Assisting in the nursing activities with hospitalised patients, according to nurses and doctors’ prescription, universal hygiene standards and MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the delivery of quality medical care for patients.
Job Description
Assisting the nurse in organizing and providing care and treatments to patients, respecting at all times, the rules of hygiene, safety, comfort, dignity, medical secret, and patient confidentiality. Giving response to nurse’s requirements in case of an emergency.
Participating in the surveillance and monitoring of the patient and reporting to the nurse any relevant information. Compensating patients’ possible lack of autonomy by assisting and helping them in feeding, personal hygiene, movements, and general comfort.
Participating in the monitoring of nursing activities (correctly fill in patient files, etc.) and ensuring a relevant transfer of information between duty teams. Reporting any problem arising in the care unit, especially the loss, robbery, or damage of equipment or medicines.
Ensuring cleanliness of his/her working environment (including facilities, material, linen, equipment) and carrying out the sorting and disposal of waste.
Working together with the nurses, cleaners, and caretakers.
Participating actively in the hospital platform (meetings, committee, trainings) and in the basic health education sessions.
Participating in any other related activities as requested by the line manager.
Performing minor maintenance and cleaning of the biomedical equipment following user manual and protocols. Alerting the supervisor in case of malfunctioning of any device.
The Specificity of Gwange Pediatric Hospital:
The Nurse aid is likely to work day/night.
Nurse aids can work in different units (E.R, ICU, Orange, Yellow, Isolation, and Outreach).
Nurse Aid Job Specific:
Performs and documents simple procedures as requested by the doctor or Nurse such as vital signs, anthropometric (MUAC) measures, malaria rapid test, HB and RBS for patients (as instructed), and brings to the attention of medical staff seriously ill patients.
Maintains good relationships with other staff and being presentable always in uniform while on duty and stays in duty station at all times during his shift, especially triage, ER, and ICU.
Ensures material needed for his work is available. Prepares needs for the shift and presents the request to the ward supervisors at the start of shift.
Helps in the cleaning and arrangement of the working environment, pharmacy cupboards, and assists in pharmacy inventory under supervision as requested by the supervisor.
Should always respect and observe standard precautions such as wearing uniform while on duty, no hand rings, jewelries, and watches, and knows AEB protocol.
Performing minor maintenance and cleaning of the biomedical equipment following user manual and protocols. Alerting the supervisor in case of malfunctioning of any device and ensuring availability of consumables in the units.
Prepares and serves milk to patients following the rules on dilution and hygiene, ensures caretakers give milk to patients with the help of staff in the unit.
Participates in the medical tour with the doctor and the nurse of his unit.
The nurse aid should maintain a good handover and documentation of all procedures performed during his shift including registration of new admissions and discharged patients’ files and any other checklist available in his/her unit.
Working in collaboration with the different actors and ensuring compliance with MSF protocols.
Provides advice to patients in order to maintain good hygiene in conjunction with the nurse/lay counselor and, if necessary, provide assistance.
Maintains flexibility while at work and respects hierarchy.
Requirements
Education: Certificate in community Nursing, CHEW, S-CHEW
Experience: Working experience of at least 1 year in a hospital or health care centre
Language: Fluent English (oral and written English), Hausa, Kanuri are Essential
Competencies:
Results and Quality Orientation L1
Teamwork and Cooperation L1
Behavioural Flexibility L1
Commitment to MSF Principles L1
Stress Management L2.
Remuneration
According to MSF salary scale plus 13th month allowance equivalent to 1 month of gross salary.