MSF BELGIUM VACANCY: 

ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP FOCAL POINT

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF is therefore guided by the principles of neutrality and impartiality.  These principles must apply to all MSF staff.

Job Details

Title of position: Antimicrobial Stewardship Focal Point (Level 9)

Status of position: Regular

Location: MSF Hangha Hospital, Kenema




Main Purpose

The main purpose of the position is to implement, coordinate and manage the antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program in the project in order to improve patient safety and quality of care optimizing the use of antibiotics and reducing the antimicrobial resistance.

Context Specific Responsibilities

• Promote and sustain an effective AMS action plan and design strategies and interventions together with the AMS committee.
• Establish and participate in a multidisciplinary AMS committee (that meets regularly with a TOR) in order to make recommendations and give systematic guidance.
• Work with Health Promotion to provide education to patients and their caretakers about the use of antibiotic and increase awareness on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• Monitor, collect and analyze antimicrobial consumption data in collaboration with pharmacists.
• Conduct regular audits relevant to stewardship priorities, including audits on quality of antibiotic prescription, and provide feedbacks to the project and the mission.
• Collaborate with the Medical Activity Managers, the L&D department and the Academy to ensure education, bedside coaching and capacity building to other medical, nursing and pharmacy staff around stewardship and use of antibiotics.
• Provide mentorship on the management of main infectious diseases, on the use of empirical and targeted antibiotic treatment, on basic principles of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of antimicrobials and their common side effects.
• Ensure the implementation of the medical staff’s skills on the use and interpretation of microbiological diagnostic tests.
• Collaborate with microbiologist to collect and disseminate data on antimicrobial resistance in the hospital and to support clinical staff on the choice of best antibiotic treatment. Liaise with the Micro Lab around timely communication of results (where relevant).
• In collaboration with the IPC team, ensure and implement the standard precautions and transmission-based precautions in all departments of the facility.
• Participate in the designing the strategy of the hospital to ensure correct recommendations are given regarding antibiotic use and choice.

Requirements

Education: Essential to have a medical degree or equivalent from an agreed university/college or equivalent.

Desirable to have completed an online training in Antimicrobial stewardship (e.g. BSAC and/or WHO)

Experience: Essential to have at least 3 years’ experience in working as a medical doctor or equivalent in inpatient settings

Desirable to have conducted at least one relevant quality improvement activity

Language: English, Krio, Mende

Knowledge: Computer literacy (Microsoft Word and Excel)

Application Details

Applicants should submit: Application letter, CV, copy of certificates/diplomas, copy of labor card, copy of work certificates from previous employment – no original documents to be submitted

Applications can be submitted to: MSF Kenema Base (Tissor), MSF Hangha Hospital, MSF Freetown and via msfocb-kenema-recruitment@brussels.msf.org

Application deadline: 8 November at 5 PM – no late applications will be accepted

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further recruitment process.

Please note that MSF does not reimburse transportation cost if applicants are asked for a test or interview.

Please indicate “Vacancy AMS Focal Point” and NAME on the envelope/subject.

MSF does not charge fees for receiving any applications or participating in any recruitment process.