OT Nurse (NOMA PROJECT) at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main objective and responsibility of the position

Organize and carry-out all nursing activities related to the operating theatre (OT) running, according to MSF health protocols, universal hygienic standards and in coordination with the surgeon and anaesthetist, in order to ensure a smooth functioning of the surgical activities (pre, during and post-operative care) offered to patients.

Description of the responsibilities/activities

Ensure the preparation of the material and equipment (checking the quantity and quality), in the OT and carry-out the reception, transport of the patient from the preparation room to the OT  and ensuring his/her installation for surgery.

Assist the surgeon and anaesthetist during the operation, anticipating their needs, in order to facilitate their job and helping throughout the whole process. To do this, a valid National / local license is required.

Checks vital parameters of the patient with the nurse anaesthetist.

Organize the patient’s transport and installation from the operating theatre to the recovery room and carry-out and/or supervise all the post-operative activities (used material collection, OT’s cleaning and disinfection, resetting all equipment and material back), in order to prepare the OT for next surgical intervention or any emergency.

Implement and follow-up the hygiene, sterilization, asepsis and disinfection protocols and procedures at all times, in pre, during and post-operative activities, in order to ensure the patient and staff’s safety conditions. i.e. waste containers availability, sharps container, checking no material or needles remain in the surgical towels, placing instruments into soak container, take instruments/linen to sterilization unit, etc.).

Control all equipment and material stock to be used in the OT (carrying out inventories, checking its quality and its functioning, storage conditions, doing follow-up of expired drugs, etc.), in order to ensure an efficient and rationale use of material resources while preventing damage and deterioration.

Carry-out and supervise administrative procedures and document (check identity of patient and his/her consent for the operation, fill in patients files, forms, statistics, quantitative surgical data collection, etc.),  and report any problematic situations and cases arising, in order to have updated and correct information about the day-to-day activity and ensuring proper transfer of information.

Intervene in support of other services whenever needed. Ensure good handover for post-operative ward nurses

Work in both OT and minor OT: assist in operations and dressings

• Participate in patient education
• Participate in data collection and reporting
• Will be required to work in IPD as a nurse in between intervention when OT is less busy or at any time when asked by supervisor.
• Work in collaboration with nursing activity manager, project pharmacy technician and medical team leader to ensure availability and control of equipment for intervention period and storage of this equipment after the intervention period
• Carry out on-the-job training for OT staff on OT equipment, sterilization and other procedures according to MSF protocols
• Participate in the planning of daily operation schedule during the intervention period
• Participate in planning and implementation of other medical activities in the project in collaboration with other members of the medical team.
• Work in collaboration with the psychosocial team in preparing patients for painful procedures such as dressing changes.

REQUIREMENTS (QUALIFICATIONS):

Education           
Nursing diploma with specialization as a theatre nurse essential. Recent BLS, ACLS training desirable.

Valid practicing license from regulatory authorities.

Experience          
Desirable 2 years experience. Having worked in MSF or other NGO’s and in developing countries.

Previous experience of working with children is desirable

Languages          
English language essential (spoken and written). Any Nigerian local language: Hausa desirable.

Competencies    
 Results, teamwork, flexibility, commitment, service oriented and Stress management.