Field/Region: Health
Location: Kutupalong refugee camp, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
Contract Length: Six Months
Closing Date: 5/31/2020
Job Context
The Joint Rohingya Refugees Project (JRRP) is a project between Food for the Hungry and Medical Teams International that aims to support the Covid-19 response for Rohingya Refugees in Katupalong Camp, Cox’s Bazar to provide care to severely ill Covid-19 patients.
This posting is being handled by Medical Teams International on behalf of the JRRP. The employer of record will be Food for the Hungry in Bangladesh. Employment is dependent upon the selected candidate successfully receiving a work visa for Cox’s Bazar from the Government of Bangladesh.
Position Purpose
With an overarching goal to protect patients, to protect health care providers, and to achieve this protection in the most cost-effective manner within the constraints of available resources. The IPC Specialist is responsible for the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities and leads the development & maintenance of an IPC program in his/her project in order to strive for patient safety, caretakers and staff and to enhance the quality of care. Lead the infection prevention and control (IPC) processes and activities in the health facilities and treatment center for COVID 19 response. The holder works with a diverse team of professionals and support staff that are directly involved in the treatment center such as doctors, nurses, cleaners, laundry assistants, waste management assistants, ward boys. The holder also ensures that all staff are safe, secure and follow IPC guidelines and protocols without compromise. The Position holder is responsible for quality implementation of IPC activities, and to maintain its sustainability. FH is looking for eligible candidates for this role.
Responsibilities
*Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
- To oversee implementation of IPC programs and promoting occupational safety in the treatment center to minimize the risk of infections for patients and employees.
- To make sure standard Precautions (hand hygiene, personal protective equipment [PPE], respiratory hygiene, reuse of medical devices, sharps safety, prevention/management of sharps injuries, waste management, laundry, environmental cleaning disinfection, and sterilization Isolation Precautions like Contact, Droplet, Airborne Precautions) are in place.
- Maintenance of effective aseptic techniques for health care practices at all level.
- To provide technical updates and competency-based trainings to all clinical and support staffs in IPC programs on a regular basis using team- and task-based strategies that are participatory and include hands-on training.
- Overseeing that proper waste management procedures are followed and lead the waste collection and disposal mechanism and to monitor the IPC/support staffs.
- To identify infection hazards and analyzing and evaluating the risk associated with these hazards with the goal of determining appropriate ways to eliminate or control them.
- Conduct risk assessment to develop program objectives based on local epidemiology and facility priorities.
- Monitor (audit) health care practices against IPC standards with timely feedback to staff for the purpose of behavior change.
- Develop a plan to assess the effectiveness of interventions to improve patient safety at the facility (objectives met, goals accomplished, activities performed, aspects that may need improvement).
- Maintaining professional medical standards of practice and competence, in accordance with quality initiatives of the organization.
- Providing technical supervision and guidance to the staff in all departments including sterilization, laundry and kitchen
- Prioritize and ensure access to materials and products essential for hygiene and safety within the parameters of available resources. Ensuring continuous procurement of adequate supplies relevant for IPC practices, including innovative equipment when necessary, as well as functioning WASH services that include water and sanitation facilities and a health care waste disposal infrastructure.
- Advocate for provision of a clean and hygienic patient care environment and availability of appropriate IPC materials, including for hand hygiene at point of care.
- In collaboration with the IPC committee, he or she will participate in the definition of the IPC objectives and define, implement and monitor the IPC plan
- To recognize individual responsibility for workplace Health & Safety
- Maintain good communication with supporting staffs, colleagues and seniors to build an effective and cohesive IPC team.
- Physically available to attend cases during working hours.
- Any additional job responsibility will be given at the time of joining.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Educational requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Medicine or related field.
- Masters in infectious diseases and/or equivalent degree in related subjects is highly essential.
- Post-graduation/Training courses in Infection prevention will be prioritized e.g. IPC diploma, certificate.
- Desirable: Diploma in tropical medicine or at least 1 year of relevant working experience in a tropical context
Experience:
- At least 2 years work experience in infection prevention control busy settings such as hospitals, theatre, outbreak response etc.
- Work experience in ICU/CCU/HDU/Emergency unit will be added advantage.
- Knowledge and experience with working in medical emergencies or humanitarian crisis will be added advantages.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure in hardship situations and harmoniously within a team of colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds.
- Ability to work independently under minimal supervision
- Willingness to leave on mission without your partner and/or family and to work in an unstable environment
Languages:
- English: Advanced
Competencies:
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
- Accountability, Client Orientation, Continuous Learning – promotes continuous learning for self and other, Communication, Creativity and Initiative, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Teamwork
- Technological Awareness - displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;
- Resource Mobilization - works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs.
How to apply:
Please visit our website at www.medicalteams.org to learn more about this position and to apply.