Health Clinical Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview/Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Health Outcome Manager, the Health Clinical Officer is responsible for patient care at the mobile clinics and overseeing the mobile clinic activities in Gwoza LGA, Borno State. She/he is also responsible for ensuring adherence to the implementation of program activities at the field according to the detailed implementation plan (DIP) and set out workplan.

Major Responsibilities:

Clinical Supervision:

• Provides accurate diagnosis, treatment and management of patients in a primary health care setting. Using standard national or WHO endorsed protocols, ensure quality of clinical and non-clinical service provision in health sites by assessing and monitoring performance against standards and guiding and motivating staff to meet and maintain standards. Promote behavior change by providing health and nutrition messages in the communities, in collaboration with community volunteers. Ensure adequate infection prevention and control standards are maintained at all times in the IRC facilities. Ensure health basic protocols and other IEC materials are well displayed in the facilities and outreach sites. Establish effective referral mechanism between the mobile clinic and the general hospital which is the referral center for complicated cases. For new location, liaise with local leaders and other partners in identifying new mobile clinic site and sensitize community on the project implementation. Ensure all facilities have standard treatment protocol and guidelines.

Technical Support and Quality of Care Management:

• Ensures health facility staff adherence to universal hygiene standards/precautions, appropriate waste management, bio-hazard prevention, infection prevention and control in the health facilities. Works with cleaning staff to maintain general cleanliness of the health facilities. Liaise with the referral officer to facilitate referral of patients who need emergency or special care. Ensure all Primary Health Care service packages are delivered in line with national/adopted protocols, and WHO policies and guidelines. Ensure all the staff follow the established IPC standards and international standard of infection prevention protocols. Ensure adherence to instrument processing and sterilization protocols. Conduct quarterly clinical skills’ assessment for the Clinicians (incentive clinicians) and follow up on areas that need improvement. Works with community mobilization team to ensure strong linkages between services and communities. Ensure community participation in healthcare delivery services through regular meetings and consultation of the Community Health Committee (CHC) members.

Staff Management:

• Routinely monitor and supervise the clinician’s’ performance according to their job description, conduct performance evaluation and provide written feedback in a timely manner. Provide on-the-job training to the clinicians and Health Assistants, define their training needs, and support the Medical Doctor and health outcome manager to implement them according to project objectives. Provide supervisory support to the clinicians, Health Assistants and drug dispensers to ensure the availability of essential drugs and medical supplies at the facility as per the approved tracer drug list. Liaise with the drug dispensers to prevent stock out of essential drugs, other medical supplies at the health facilities. Monitor staff daily attendance at duty posts and ensure time sheets are correctly filled and submitted monthly. Ensure all Health Assistants submit their timesheets in a timely manner.

Representation, Project Implementation and Reporting:

• Ensure teamwork and maintain relationships with different sectors and government agencies. Responsible for validation of program data and timely submission to M&E on weekly basis. Work with the M&E team to analyze data on a weekly/monthly basis, feeds information back to the program team, and adapts strategies accordingly after discussions with the health outcome manager. Provide weekly/monthly activity reports to the supervisor.

Operations:

• Maintain an updated record and compile and submit monthly reports of all services given. Monitor and ensure the proper usage of health and program supplies. Prepare weekly workplans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.

Communication and Reporting:

• Work with the clinician and Health Assistant in compiling statistical reports from the mobile clinics for submission weekly, monthly, and annually. Ensure adequate flow of information for all supervisees with constant feedback as may be required. Carry out other relevant or requested duties as may be required.

Key Result Areas:

• Improvement of key health indicators. Increased uptake of health services as a strategy of reducing mortality. Increased uptake of positive practices related to health, nutrition, and hygiene. Timely and quality health care services to displaced persons, refugees, and other vulnerable groups. Community volunteers actively participate in health services within their community.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, Bachelor of Nursing Science from a recognized institution is an added advantage.
• Most be licensed by the Nigerian Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Competencies

• Minimum of 2 years post-graduation experience in clinical and humanitarian context. Experience in supervising health staff at the primary health care level. Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Able to work in a location with basic living conditions and with limited communication options. Proficiency in computer skills, especially in MS Word and Excel. Is necessary.