Nutrition Assistant (Reserved Pool) at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Main Purpose:

• Under the supervision of the Nurse, participating in the nutritional case management of children suffering from acute malnutrition according to MSF nutritional and hygiene protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the delivery of quality medical care for patients and their communities and improve the health conditions of the targeted population

Accountabilities:

• Carrying out basic health care (swabbing, applying local treatments, etc.) following the rules on hygiene and asepsis.
• Inform caretakers on the functioning of the center: lay out, daily activity plan (number and frequency of the meals, medical visit, weight measurement, etc.) and other general information.
• Distribute meals according to medical prescriptions for each patient, ensuring that no other food is given.
• Report daily the intake of the patients under nutritional treatment.
• Providing hygienic training and sanitation education to children, mothers and the targeted population and stimulating mothers to breast-feed.
• Monitor and report weight and other vital indicators, if necessary, (temperature, heart and respiratory rates) of each patient.
• Applying the correct procedures in the event of a fever or hypothermia and reporting to the nurse pathologic symptoms such as, apathetic, anorexia, not drinking, vomiting, fever, dehydration, diarrhea, etc.
• Prepare ORS, when required.
• Supervising drinking water availability in the ward and ensuring it is well identified.
• Supervising the maintenance of clean premises and materials
• Performing minor maintenance and cleaning of the biomedical equipment following user manual and protocols. Alert the supervisor in case of malfunctioning of any device.

MSF Section / Context Specific Accountabilities:

• Patient Assessment: Assist in conducting initial assessments of patients to determine their nutritional status and identify any associated health conditions or complications.
• Nutritional Support: Assist in providing therapeutic feeding interventions, ensuring that patients receive the correct type and quantity of therapeutic food according to their treatment plan. This may involve preparing and distributing food rations or supervising caregivers in proper feeding practices.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Help in regularly monitoring and documenting patients’ progress through anthropometric measurements, physical examinations, and other relevant indicators. Report any changes or concerns to the nutrition team.
• Health Education: Support the nutrition team in providing education and counselling to patients and their families on nutrition, feeding practices, hygiene, and the importance of proper care during the treatment and recovery process.
• Data Management: Assist in maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of patient data, treatment progress, and any relevant information required for reporting purposes.
• Collaborative Care: Work closely with the nutrition team, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals involved in the ATFC to ensure effective coordination and integration of care.
• Quality Control and Infection Prevention: Adhere to MSF protocols and guidelines for quality control, infection prevention, and hygiene practices to maintain a safe and clean environment for patients.