Stabilization Centre Nurse at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview/Summary

The Stabilization center nurse is the part of focal point for nutrition care at the IRC's SC centers and will ensure good support in providing inpatient care. He/she will work closely with the SC Doctor, project manager, government staff, and other SC staff for effective implementation of the inpatient’s treatment. The Stabilization center nurse will ensure the implementation of a quality Nursing care at the SC and ensure that all nutrition roles and responsibilities are done as per Nigeria national CMAM and WHO guidelines. The Stabilization center nurse will be supporting the SC Doctor identify gaps in the program and take the necessary steps to address those gaps. In addition to supporting system strengthening and childhood nutrition promotion, s/he will assist in the planning, execution, and monitoring of high impact initiatives, giving particular attention to the most vulnerable. In addition, provide coordinated support and technical assistance to the Nutrition Sector and management of on-going program. He/She will directly be working alongside MOH staff working at the stabilization center, and work hand in hand with SC Medical doctor.

Major Responsibilities

Programming

• With the support of the SC Doctor, Stabilization center Nurse will be responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, discharge, and follow-up of children admitted with complicated SAM based on the National and WHO guidelines.
• Ensure quality and timely identification and treatment of medical complications associated with malnutrition in SC in liaison with the clinical services. Give and advice on the drug regimen for children in the SC.
• He/she will work closely with the SC Doctor and other stabilization center staff to provide optimal care to children admitted with complicated severe acute malnutrition.
• Participate in daily ward rounds in the SC ward with the medical team.
• Ensure children aged 0-59months presenting to the health facility with complicated SAM are correctly screened, diagnosed, triaged and admitted.
• Provide quality clinical care to admitted children in accordance with the National/WHO guideline for In-patient Management of SAM.
• Ensure emergency treatments are correctly given to critical children and ensure close monitoring of all patients in phase 1 and a smooth transition to phase 2 in line with guideline.
• Administer and prescribe drugs based on analysis of history, examination, test reports, findings, and National/WHO SAM inpatient management protocol.
• Ensure quality daily review and proper documentation of patients’ clinical evolution until exit from the health facility.
• Ensure the multi-chart/inpatient card is properly filled and monitored and corrective actions are taken on daily basis.
• Ensure the availability of job aids, therapeutic products (F75, F100, RUTF, ReSoMal), and drugs for program implementation in the SC
• Ensure all criteria are respected and understood by the team, including admission, discharge, and transfer to and from the OTP/SC.
• Work closely with the SC Doctor, government staff, and other relevant staff to ensure that all aspects of the program are understood and agreed upon and appropriate referrals take place to and from the community to Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) and SC sites.
• Ensure all children in SC are immunized according to the national protocols.
• Ensure correctness, consistence, and completeness of the information in the SC registers.
• Ensure adequate availability of all medical and therapeutic supplies by appropriate forecasting.
• Ensure efficient documentation of daily use of medical supplies, food items and NFIs and carry out weekly/monthly inventory.
• Provide key Nutrition and Health education messages to beneficiaries based on the protocol and guidelines.
• Respond to inquiries regarding the technical aspects of the program admission and discharge whenever necessary at the SC sites.
• Provide weekly and Monthly CMAM and success story reports to the SC Doctor/Nutrition Manager.
• Performs other related tasks as required.

Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum BSc Degree in Nursing/Diploma in Nursing/RN with experience in emergency nutrition response especially management of SAM with complication in the Stabilization center.

Work Experience:

• Over two (2) years of experience in complicated SAM case management in the SC
• Experience in Integrated Management of Childhood Illness
• Valid and current practicing license.
• At least one year working experience in Maternal Infant & Young Child feeding program
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of Nutrition Program.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience delivering Nutrition and related trainings to health staff using national or WHO guidelines
• NGO work experience is an advantage
• Should be able to use Microsoft Office especially MS-Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Additional qualities: ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, be flexible, and adaptability to transitions.