Emergency Nurse (Paramedic)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was established by the Security Council Resolution 1876 of 26 June 2002. The UN medical services provide timely and reliable, customer oriented, cost-efficient, and prompt medical care to all UN Staff members.

The recent UNAMA strategic review indicates a continued commitment to a UN field presence, which is to be the cornerstone of engagement in supporting Afghans across the country. To fulfil this commitment, the UN requires the right resources and support mechanisms, which include medical emergency response.

The Medical Section aims to protect and promote staff health, to sustain and improve their working capacity, to contribute to a safe and healthy working environment, and to promote the adaptation of work to the capabilities of staff, taking account of their health status. With this in mind and given the current heightened security situation in the mission environment as well as the current Covid-19 pandemic, we are seeking paramedics with specialty in emergency medicine and or with skill sets acquired from qualification or extensive experience in the coordination of medical emergencies in the field.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, the emergency nurse / Paramedic will ensure provision of efficient medical emergency care and nursing services to UN staff and their eligible dependents

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of MERT Doctor and Head Nurse or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Emergency Nurse will:

The Emergency Nurse/Paramedic task is to do day to day clinic activities as directed by the MERT doctor and head nurse, receiving patients, take vital signs, assist in emergency management of patients, provide first aid, provide basic life support and CPR when required; taking ECG, establish IV lines; provide in training of the staff, In Sum:

Recognize a medical emergency; assess the situation; manage emergency care and, if needed, extricate; coordinate efforts with those of other agencies that may be involved in the care and transportation of the patient; and establish rapport with the patient and significant others to decrease their state of anxiety.
Give priorities to emergency treatment as per designated medical command authority and provide emergency treatment.
Provide medical escort in aeromedical evacuations within Afghanistan.
Record and communicate pertinent data to the designated medical command authority.
Direct and coordinate the transport of the patient by selecting the best available method(s) in conjunction with medical command authority.
Ensure the maintenance and preparation of emergency care equipment and supplies, if needed together with the pharmacist for requisitioning and replenishing expired items/ drugs.
Assist the MERT Doctor, Head Nurse and other medical staff on patient care and other duties as deemed necessary.
Be prepared to cover duties in UNOCA, Alpha and Icon Compounds while transiting in Kabul.
Actively participate in the mass casualty incident management trainings, exercises, and activities.
Prepare and update MCI boxes, IFAKs and arrange drugs and supplies in field locations stations whenever necessary.
Do other activities related to the above as assigned by the MERT Doctor, head nurse or chief of section.
When working with (including supervi

, Accountability, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Working in Teams

A minimum of three years of progressively responsible clinical experience in emergencies. Experience in working in emergency department is an advantage

Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with a volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in the regions where the volunteers will be placed are the same to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members. UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in the compounds with good infrastructure and amenities.

Generally speaking, stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UN volunteers as other UN staff, are quite limited in all Afghan duty stations when it comes to movement, walking virtually not allowed. The movement is done inside the “green box” (only) mostly in armored vehicles driven by national qualified UN drivers. Many places are off limits (including restaurants). There is also a curfew throughout the country, generally from 11pm to 5:30am but this can very between duty stations.

There are number of security measures to be complied with, such as the minimum Operational Residential Security Standards or MORSS before moving into any accommodation. The UNAMA Security section provides these guidelines during the initial security briefing upon arrival in the mission area.

Upon arrival, volunteers will be accommodated at the UNV transit house within the UNOCA compound. Inside the UNOCA compound are two cafeterias, a restaurant, a “Superette”, two shops which provide a variety of imported canned and frozen food on offer and a vegetable market shop. There is also a social center, a gym hall and a small library with books and DVDs, run by the Welfare Office, within the same compound. There is a UN clinic in UNAMA/UNOCA compounds and access is granted in Kabul to other private international clinics.

In the provinces, the situation is different where UN personnel are confined to guest houses in most of the regions, both electricity and water are readily available, although water can sometimes run low because of severe droughts in the last couple of years. Most guesthouses have secured water (e.g., through a well in the compound) and generators in the event of power failure.

Most produce/staples are common in the markets e.g., rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt etc. UNOCA has a new minimarket where basic goods can be bought also. There are also a number of UN cleared supermarkets in all the regions. Eating arrangements differ from one region to another. Whereas there could be individual cooking arrangements in one region, in the other, there may be a system in place where staff members contribute, employ a cook who prepares a common meal for everyone. Individual purchases can be made from the local markets through the cook or with the help of cleaners Contact with and outreach to the local community is usually limited. As mentioned, many places are off-limits, and the choice of recreational facilities are very poor. For all these reasons, bring a stock of books, DVDs/VCDs, computer games, etc., is highly recommended.

Living allowances are paid in US$ at the end of each month, but bank transfers by UNAMA to accounts abroad are possible. There are several Western Union money transfer offices in Kabul and two other international banks are operating downtown as well as in the UNAMA compound. Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry, but winter is the opposite – cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing and comfortable boots with insulation are necessary. Most common consumer articles are available in Kabul (and in the regions).

Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique UN mission. It requires more stamina, commitment, and flexibility than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort are absolutely essential