Para-Medical Job Profiles

Nurses
Registered nurses provide primary health care, establish and manage health posts, operate feeding centres and in/outpatient clinics and hospitals, plan and implement vaccination campaigns, and organize maternal and child health programmes. Training, supervising, and managing local nursing staff or community health providers is a key responsibility.

Essential criteria:

·         B.Sc in Nursing

·         A minimum of 4 years post registration experience, preferably in one or more of the following areas: public healrh, infectious diseases, A&E, obstetrics, nutrition, paediatrics, operating theatre

·         Valid Nursing Council registration

·         Experience in supervising and management

Desirable:

·         A diploma in tropical medicine 

·         1-2 years relevant work experience in a tropical environment

Midwives
Midwives are specifically involved in the implementation coordination of maternal and child health programmes. Midwives are responsible for the supervision and training of local midwives and traditional birth attendants in antepartum, labour/delivery, and postpartum care. Usually midwife field positions require both midwifery skills and general nursing skills. We therefore only consider candidates with a general nursing background as well as midwifery experience.

Essential criteria:

·         B.Sc in Midwifery with general nursing background

·         Registration with Nursing Council as a midwife

·         Experience in training and coaching other health workers

·         Minimum 5 years experience in supervision and management

·         Knowledge of STDs / HIV / AIDS

·         Family planning experience

·         Community midwifery experience

Laboratory Scientists
The MSF laboratory scientists act mostly as a supervisor and trainer. Work may be in supporting existing government health centres (hospitals/clinics) or within MSF initiated centres. Laboratory scientists are also responsible for laboratory and staff management, the determination of local staff teaching needs and implementation of training programmes.

Essential criteria:

·         Bachelors in Laboratory Technology (BMLT) or a Degree in Microbiology with applied medical parasitology and bacteriology

·         Experienced with haematology, virology, TB, blood bank, malaria, HIV, STIs.

·         Knowledge and ability in sample-taking techniques. (blood, stool, sputum)

·         Knowledge of laboratory testing quality control methods

·         Demonstrable and extensive experience in training/supervising others

·         Demonstrable and extensive experience in research

Desirable:

·         Experience in using laboratory software packages and carrying out surveys

Mental Health Specialists
Mental Health Specialists implement MSF mental health programs through setting-up, monitoring and initiating evaluations of culturally and socially appropriate interventions. For example, mental health specialists may work with people suffering from PTSD, victims of sexual violence, or people living with HIV/AIDS. A large part of their responsibilities will be providing training and clinical supervision to national staff mental health team and working towards developing psycho-education material.

Essential criteria:

·         Minimum 2 years post qualification in one of the following: psychiatry, (community) psychiatric nursing; clinical psychology; psychotherapy; counselling

·         Demonstrable experience in training others and/or psycho-education

·         Demonstrable experience in either post traumatic stress disorder or trauma and related areas and HIV/AIDS counselling

·         Managerial and supervisory experience