Volunteers – Medical Staff: Surgical Ward Nurse

Job Description

The healthcare system in Gaza has been overwhelmed, incapacitated and partly destroyed by bombing and fighting since the current war broke out in October. Healthcare facilities have been damaged or destroyed by air and ground attacks, health workers have been displaced, killed and detained, and many other facilities are non-operational due to lack of access, supplies, equipment, fuel, electricity or water. The remaining facilities are only partially serviceable while also sheltering displaced people, lacking adequate supplies and equipment for IPC and losing medical and support staff due to the ongoing situation. Remaining workers are burned out and exhausted.

The Ministry of Health and WHO have collectively requested or identified the need for some ~20+ Emergency Medical Teams to reinforce capacity and provide urgent and critical health services for the affected population including high numbers of war injuries and trauma as well as rapidly increasing disease due to the overcrowding and unsanitary conditions imposed on the civilian population. The IRC and MAP are collaborating to deploy Emergency Medical Teams to reinforce local capacity and provide urgently needed health services for the affected population. Even if fighting stopped tomorrow, it is likely that emergency medical capacity will be required for the coming months and throughout 2024.

Scope of work

IRC contracts the medical consultant to join an emergency medical team (EMT) mission hosted either by an IRC Partner or IRC to support hospitals and clinics in southern Gaza. They will deploy in person to Cairo for the training and then to the south portion of Gaza to fulfill the role of an essential team member of the Emergency Medical Team. The consultant EMT is responsible for performing medical duties as needed to further the goals of the mission and ensure appropriate post-op care and follow-up. The IRC provides Duty of Care and safety and security training to all EMTs before entering Gaza and the team is accompanied by our Safety and Security Coordinator throughout their deployment.

Expenses Covered by the IRC:

• Travel from your home country to Cairo and back

• Transportation between Cairo and Gaza

• Meals for the entirety of your two-week deployment

• Hotel accommodation in Cairo and housing in Gaza

The Surgical/Trauma Ward Nurse’s primary role is to work in the in-patient wards, delivering direct care and, where appropriate, delivering capacity building and supportive supervision to the Hospital's local staff.

Modalities:

• One-time 2-3 week deployment

• Rotating schedule

Main responsibilities:

• Work in the surgical/trauma unit and to deliver immediate direct care for the population of the local area, working alongside both national and international colleagues.

• Work collaboratively with all team members to ensure that all activities are undertaken in a safe and effective manner.

• Assist/manage medical emergencies as per needs and competencies, ensuring the appropriate escalation of deteriorating patients.

• Deliver appropriate treatments under the direction of the MTL; ensure that patient records are properly kept (as per IRC information management systems and EMT MDS system

• Work in collaboration with local staff to support the needs of the local health care staff personnel. Additionally, work with staff from iNGOs that are staffing and supporting at the same hospital.

• Work with logistician and/or medical logistician to ensure medications and medical supplies are well-documented

• Work within the team schedule and collaboration with MAP, Gaza MoH, WHO, local Gaza Hospitals, EHAU focal points, and other necessary stakeholders to support a productive, safe, and efficient Emergency Medical Team mission to Gaza amidst a highly volatile conflict zone.

• In collaboration with other team members, is responsible for the health and safety of patients whilst within the unit, adhering to all standard protocols (safe surgery, IPC and hygiene, monitoring for Protection and Safeguarding issues, etc.)

• Use comprehensive clinical records such as the pre-operative assessment in all patient records, post-operative plan and rehabilitation plans.

• Support and deliver capacity building at targeted health facilities (according to identified needs through embedding in host structure, and delivering technical training programs if appropriate.

• Ensure the evaluation of activities within the unit and appropriate monitoring and reporting of these

• Support in the collection of clinical data and reporting

Experience and Qualifications

Essential:

• Registered license in nursing care

• Work experience as surgical/trauma nurse

• English: Advanced/Intermediate

• Ability to work in a team comprising multiple partners and/or medical volunteers from different organizations and backgrounds, with different skillsets

Desirable:

• Arabic speaker

• Proven experience as part of an Emergency Team

• Background in humanitarian aid delivery

• Previous experience of working in low-resource and or conflict settings

• Familiarity with culture, customs, and religious context, and sensitivity towards staff, and acknowledgement of the sensitive and delicate nature of the conflict.

Qualifications