Paediatrician at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main Purpose

• Providing outpatient and/or inpatient paediatric care to patients/beneficiaries according to adapted and updated medical knowledge, MSF protocols, values and universal hygiene standards to improve the new-born and child/beneficiaries health conditions. 

Job Description 

• Applying medical knowledge and skills to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of children, ensuring integrated new-born and paediatric care through Emergency, OPD, and IPD services in New-borns and cases of malnutrition. Prescribing the necessary treatment, respecting MSF protocols.  
• Collaborating closely with the different department of the hospital (e.g. Maternity), Knowing and ensuring all updated MSF medical protocols and universal precautions are followed and implemented, reducing bio-hazard risks and improving infection control.  
• As an expert in paediatrics, proposing strategy (modification on current new-born and paediatric care management) and implementing them after validation of Operation and Paediatric Advisor.  
• Ensuring on-going new-born and paediatric training (formal and bedside) of the medical/paramedical multidisciplinary team in order to optimize the new-born and paediatric quality of care.
• Reviewing and discussing selected complicated cases or mistakes and giving technical input. 
• Keeping patients and their families informed of the illness and the treatment to follow, checking that they have been understood. 
• Ensuring professional autonomy and confidentiality are respected and a good attitude and proper bedside manner towards the patient and their care takers and the rest of the medical team. 
• Following up the evolution of the hospitalized/IDP patients through daily visits, consultations and examinations, prescribing the necessary treatment following MSF protocols, deciding whether they can be discharged or transferred to other departments – in collaboration with other doctors and informing their family about the patient’s evolution. 
• Monitoring the proper functioning of the department, equipment or material and addresses the list of the missing item for new-born and paediatric activities. Providing inputs about general organization of the different paediatric wards, including the admission, transfer and discharge criteria + referral procedure from Maternity and post-delivery wards 
• Checking and controlling the rational distribution of medicines and equipment under his/her responsibility and taking care the quality, disinfection and sterilization of the medical material. 
• Assuring general compliance with standing hygiene standards. 
• Participating in the introduction / improvement of the collection and analysis of epidemiological new-born and paediatric data, checking its validity and informing the line manager or project coordinator about any problems or complications of the patient’s illness and medical errors.
• Collecting Clinical cases for further trainings and list a series of comments to improve the current MSF protocols 
• Managing the team under his/her direct responsibility according to MSF HR policies and procedures, supervising their performance, organizing and scheduling shifts and rotations, directly participating in emergencies and on calls if necessary. 
• Designing and providing training to staff as required. 
• Debriefing with coordination, headquarter (including Pediatric Advisor) and providing written report on main findings, activities, conclusions and further recommendations.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities
Staff Training Supervision and transfer of skills: 

• Lead ongoing training (formal and bedside) for medical and paramedical staff. 
• Ensure that training is relevant to the latest medical trends, treatment techniques, and MSF protocols. 
• Review complex cases, guide staff in technical aspects, and correct mistakes to enhance overall team competencies. Foster a collaborative learning environment.

Patient Follow-Up and Care Coordination: 

• Conduct daily rounds to assess patient progress, including those admitted to the IPD. 
• Regularly examine hospitalized patients, manage ongoing treatment, and collaborate with the medical team to determine if discharge or further treatment is necessary. 
• Keep families informed of patient progress. 

Department Oversight and Resource Management: 

• Oversee the effective functioning of pediatric wards and neonatal areas, ensuring appropriate organization for patient admission, transfer, and discharge procedures. 
• Provide regular feedback regarding the status of resources and equipment, including identifying missing or needed items to improve care delivery. 

Quality Assurance and Infection Control: 

• Ensure the rational distribution of medicines, equipment, and materials within the department. Adhere to hygiene, sterilization, and infection prevention standards. 
• Conduct regular checks to maintain the highest standards of patient safety and care. 

Training and Capacity Building: 

• Identify the training needs of the pediatric medical team and design relevant training modules. 
• Actively participate in team development through workshops, case reviews, and practical sessions aimed at improving overall healthcare standards. 

Reporting and Documentation: 

• Regularly brief Project/coordination teams and provide written reports on key activities, observations, challenges, and outcomes. Include insights and recommendations for further improving pediatric care within the organization. 

Emergency Care Involvement: 

• Actively participate in emergency responses, ensuring the efficient management of pediatric cases during critical situations, including trauma, epidemics, or natural disasters. 
• Collaborate closely with the emergency medical teams to provide comprehensive, immediate care to affected children. 

Quality Control and Protocol Review. 

• Actively engage in the continuous review and updating of pediatric care protocols. 
• Participate in reviewing clinical cases for training purposes and suggest updates based on recent medical evidence and MSF practices.

Requirements
Educational Qualification:

• Candidates should posssess a Medical Doctor Diploma in a recognized university 
• Paediatrics specialist qualification  

Experience:

• 3 years experience minimum as a Medical Doctor in paediatric hospital 
• Experience in other NGO’s and /or developing countries is desirable 

Language:

• Essential English and Hausa languages are desirable  

Knowledge:

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet). 
• Updates his / her knowledge before each mission, according to the most updated MSF new-born and pediatric protocols 

Competencies:

• People Management and Development
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Behavioral Flexibility
• Commitment to MSF Principles, and
• Teamwork and Cooperation.