Medical Nurse

Volunteering Medical & Health

Overview

Provide medical care to MINUSCA personnel and assist in health services.

You have:

• A minimum of 5 years of consistent practical experience as a nurse.
• Knowledge of life-saving procedures is essential.
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in work.
• Flexibility and willingness to work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions.

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.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) on the date of the establishment and has been set to take over authority in military and police matters from the African Union-led peacekeeping operation – MISCA – on 15 September 2014. (http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/).

Under the overall direction of the MINUSCA Medical Officer/ Chief Medical Officer, the UNV Medical Nurse will perform the following tasks: • Attend to the MINUSCA clinic on a full-time basis and assists the medical doctor(s) in the provision of both primary and secondary health care to all Mission personnel. • Provides necessary primary care for minor injuries. • Administers vaccination/s to UN Mission personnel. • Responds to emergency calls during and outside office hours when necessary and assists Medical Officer(s) in providing adequate care, including stabilization of emergency cases. • Assists in providing medical support during referrals and medical evacuation exercises when required. • Conducts medical escorts for very sick UN personnel during medical evacuations. • Ensures effective liaison between patient and doctor, paramedics, and colleagues as appropriate. • Actively collaborates with deployed UN Clinic from Troop/Police Contribute Country, including smooth coverage of duties during IUNV medical staff absence (leave, official trip etc.) • Performs clinical assessment of patients visiting the walk-in clinic and diagnostic, including screening tests such as: vital signs, physical parameters, ECG, visual acuity, laboratory tests, e.g., FBS and/or RBS, Rapid test kits and other tests as required. • Assists and facilitates referral and/or medevac of Mission personnel to the next higher of care. • Ensures preparedness of staff travelling on missions or reassignments, including administration of appropriate vaccine, instructions on malaria prophylaxis and other travel-related ailments. • Provides Health Education and health promotion programs, in addition to group health briefings for newly arrived MINUSCA Personnel. • Participates in the stabilization of emergency cases. • Assists in maintaining records of patients' medical data, including consultations and treatment and maintains strict confidentiality with regards to patients’ medical records. • Perform injections, dressings, stitching, foreign body extraction, etc. • Dispenses drugs in the pharmacy and assists in raising drugs and consumables requests on quarterly/need basis. • Ensures adequate requisition, storage and maintenance of accurate records of medical equipment, drugs and consumables in the health facility at all times. • Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations. • Calls for assistance from health care support personnel. • Participates in work environment assessment, e.g., office ergonomics, and addresses other occupational health issues • Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential. • Documents patients’ care services by charting in the patients’ and department’s records. • When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, the incumbent should set aside dedicated time for capacity development through on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring. • Participates in other health activities and related duties, as assigned by the Chief Medical Officer.

Professionalism: Demonstrate ability to apply good judgment and be accurate; ability to take initiative, ownership, and work independently under established procedures; willingness to accept wide responsibilities; Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for work.

Integrity: Demonstrate the values of the UN in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

A minimum of 5 years of consistent practical experience as a nurse. Knowledge of life-saving procedures is essential.

The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is between 3 and 5, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 6 am.

The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of very bad roads and roadblocks along the way.

This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having all variety of food and appliances are available, but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market.

There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD for a small apartment with no furniture, no power generator and no running water, to 2,000 USD with all commodities.

A UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well. Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.

A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency.

The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org