PARTNERS IN HEALTH SIERRA LEONE, LLC.

Job title: State Enrolled Community Health Nurse (Scrub Nurse)
Work Location: Kono District, Sierra Leone
Department: Operating Theater
Reports to: Director of Nursing & Surgical Consultant
Line Management Not Specified
Duration of Contract: Twelve (12) Months
Application Status: External Advert

Organization Profile
Partners In Health Sierra Leone LLC (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world.

Our Work In Sierra Leone:
Partners In Health Sierra Leone LLC (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview
The State Enrolled Community Health Nurse (SECHN) is a critical member of the Clinical staff in PIH. SECHNs work collaboratively alongside physicians, SCMs, CHOs, MCH Aides, TBAs and Support staff to provide high quality care to patients and their families.

PIH seeks individuals committed to the mission and values (see PIH Values) of the organization to join the team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Job Summary:
• Responsible for maintaining and keeping the operating room and surgical team ready for any surgical procedure that may be required, supervising that the patient is taken to the operating room, providing intra-operative assistance to the surgeon, and handling the preparations before and after surgery including making sure that the area, equipment, and instruments are washed and disinfected.

Duties and Responsibilities:
THEATRE TEAM
• Supervise that theatre team performs surgical hand scrub before surgical procedures following the protocols
• Supervise the procedure of gowning and gloving doctors for surgical procedures
• Support the theater In-Charge, Surgeons, and Anesthetist Nurses to lead training on peri-operative and intra-operative care, including scrub and surgical assistant techniques
• Support the theater In-Charge in promoting and maintaining proper IPC practices and protocols relating to pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care
• Work rotating shifts as part of the theater team, including night, weekend, and holiday shifts, assisting the surgeon as much as possible, to facilitate the operation without incident for the optimum results for the patient (i.e. close skin, dress wounds using aseptic technique and following the surgeon’s instructions)
• At times of temporary and permanent relief by another scrub nurse/tech, provide a report of the progress of the procedure, a review of the sterile field setup, medications/fluids on the sterile field, any special needs or requests of the surgeon, and any other pertinent information deemed necessary
• Clearly communicate with surgeon and circulator regarding specimen preparation as applicable. Inquire as to how specimen(s) will be labeled and how it is to be sent to the receiving department (lab, pathology, radiology, etc.)

INSTRUMENTS AND MEDICATIONS IN THE THEATRE
• Support theater team and Theater In-Charge to develop, implement and maintain systems to ensure surgical supplies and instrument sets are always available and ready to be used when the surgeon needs them and to anticipate those needs
• Set up scrub table in an aseptic manner following the surgical protocol in KGH (instruments, sutures, drapes, etc.). Complete the appropriate instrument counts as described in the count procedure.
• Perform an initial sponge, needle, and instrument count as described in count procedure. Assist with final sponge, needle, and instrument count as described in count procedure.
• Knowledge of specific instruments and suture used for the procedure to be done following the surgical protocols of KGH
• With the circulator, concurrently verify the name, concentration and expiration date of medications and fluids passed to the sterile field
• Assist in the proper draping of the patient to ensure sterile operating area
• Ensure aseptic techniques are carried out. If a break in sterile technique occurs, report and remedy the problem.
• Remove drapes rolling away from wound, containing any fluids, blood, etc., that might be in the drapes and dispose of them.
• Ensue instruments are taken to decontamination area covered and sharps are disposed of in appropriate container.
Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
Partners In Health (PIH) is committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work, including patients, families and community members, are treated with respect and dignity. We recognize that our work is rooted in vulnerable communities and, as a social justice organization, we are responsible for preventing sexual abuse and exploitation and enforcing consequences for those who fail to uphold these standards. PIH will not tolerate its employees, volunteers, consultants or any other representatives associated with the delivery of our work carrying out any form of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, failing to report any allegations of sex abuse or sexual exploitation, or retaliation against those who report or participate in investigations.

Qualification and Experience
• Basic Knowledge of Nursing and Operating Room Procedures
• At least 2 years’ experience as a Surgical Scrub Nurse with impressive track record
• Experience or specific training in peri-operative and intra-operative nursing care
• Interest or experience in facilitating trainings for other health workers (previous surgical trainings will be appreciated)
• Possessed a Diploma or Certificate in Nursing with (2-3) year’s course in related field.
• Must be a registered member of Nurses and Midwife Board of Sierra Leone with a valid license to practice
• Excellent Verbal and Written Skills in English

Behavioral Competencies:
• Excellent organizational skills required
• Ability to perform well under pressure and working in a team
• Flexibility and capacity to improvise and adapt to difficulties
• Strong sense of initiative and leadership to address challenges
• Dependable and hard working
• Commitment to social justice and human rights

Methods of Application
Application with detailed curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages) including names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees, by email to:

pihslrecruitment@pih.org

not later than 12:00pm GMT (Midnight) on Thursday, 21st January, 2021.

PIH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate applicants on the basis of sex, religion, tribe, or region. Female applicants are encouraged to apply and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.