JBC BLOG & NETWORK: UN Dispensary Physician AT UNDP Maiduguri, NG

Background

Purpose

UN field personnel are exposed to various health and security hazards that may result in disease; psychological trauma and life threatening injuries. Dedicated, effective primary health, occupational health and emergency medical services may mitigate negative outcomes of trauma, injuries and health complications providing better chances for saving lives as well as for faster and better recovery.

The UN Clinic Physician, is part of the UN common services of the UN country team in (duty station) and administered by UNDP.

The UN Clinic Physician will attend to the UN Clinic on a full time basis and provide medical services to staff members and their dependents. In addition, he/she will facilitate for medical evacuations and cooperate with headquarter offices on all related matters. The UN Clinic Physician is responsible for the day to day running of the UN Clinic and he/she manages the UN Clinic staff and physical assets (equipment and inventories), ensures consistent delivery of high quality medical services to the UNCT. The UN Clinic Physician will also be responsible for medical examinations of staff, a responsibility he/she will share with other designated UN Physicians. (The UN Clinics operate, with regard to technical matters only, under the general supervision of the UN Medical Director and with UNDP on regards of all administrative matters).

Reporting structure and partners

Under the overall supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator with regards to all administrative matters and the general supervision of the UN Medical Director with regards to technical matters, UN Clinic Physician, will provide clinical services including medical consultations and emergency care, and supervise the work of the medical staff (including nurses, lab technician and pharmacist). The incumbent will promote proactive occupational health policies and best practices and procedures in the medical services in conjunction with Administration. This will include outreach to staff and dependents in the areas of preventative health. The UN Clinic doctor is expected to take part in the HIV work in the UN work place as outlined in UN Cares and UN Plus. S/he is part of the emergency response team and will as such work closely with DSS in implementing case-vac and mass casualty response.

Duties And Responsibilities

In this section list the five primary responsibilities of the position. As needed add additional context below the responsibilities. Tip: Focus on what the job entails now how to do the job.

Clinical Duties

Attend the United Nations Clinic on a full time basis.
Respond to acute emergencies in line with international protocols such as advanced trauma life support management and advanced cardiac life support or Pre Hospital Trauma life support.
Be able to do triage and primary stabilization.
Undertake day-to-day clinical duties, e.g. walk-in clinic, pre-placement and periodic medical examinations and immunizations.
Provide health education.
Participate in addressing work environment and occupational health issues.
Undertake medical examinations for UNDP and UN Agencies international and local staff and dependents.
Diagnose and recommend treatment to all staff visiting the Clinic on a daily basis.
Be on call during and outside office hours to observe and treat emergencies in the UN Clinic. Undertake house calls when required.
Responsible for entry and periodic medical examinations for United Nations staff members who choose to use the UN Clinic for their examinations.

Medical Administrative Duties

Liaise with other UN Clinics, host-nation medical facilities and medical facilities abroad to coordinate medical evacuations.
Follow the United Nations established policies and procedures regarding medical clearances, sick leave and medical evacuations.
Recommend medical evacuation when required to RR (the doctor recommend as the medical expert, submit evacuation request to UN medical Director for authorization and facilitate medical evacuations of UN staff and their dependents). Responsible for all paper work and reporting procedures for medical evacuations in line with UN Rules and procedures.
Ensure proper follow up on all cases
Application of terms of reference in UNDP POPP for rules and regulations regarding UN Clinic operations
Responsible for establishing good relations with reliable hospitals, private medical facilities and blood banks and local physician, including UNEP if available.
Keep constant contact with the United Nations Designated Examining Physicians to facilitate their availability as and when required;
Ensure that proper medical records are kept in a strictly confidential manner.
Maintain emergency medical supplies and equipment to be used in case of emergency situation;
Replenish first aid kits and other essential medical supplies kept in other duty stations within the country
Recommend procurement of vaccines, medical supplies and equipment, and ensure that inventory is kept.
Maintain medical records of all United Nations personnel thru Medgate (Electronic Medical Records System) and advise health precautionary steps to new staff members; already include above
Prepare and send periodic (quarterly) reports of functions, visits, medical evacuations and treatments at the UN Clinic to the United Nations Medical Service; included below.
Advise on health precautionary steps to be undertaken at the duty station, and perform any other duties as considered necessary by the United Nations medical Director and/or the UN Resident Coordinator

Supervisory Administration

Supervise, distribute work to the nurse (s) and other staff of the United Nations Clinic; included below
Manage day-to-day mission medical support operations by ensuring availability of supplies and proper functioning of medical equipment;
Ensure that appropriate training programs are implemented in order to maintain and develop the medical capabilities (e.g. health education, HIV/AIDS prevention, first aid and CPR).
Responsible for regular reporting on clinic activities, medical facilities available locally and other statistical information as may be required.
Responsible for the supervision and distribution of work for the nurse(s) and other staff of the UN Clinic.

Planning and organization of training of focal points and peer educators;
Arranging the dissemination of UN policies on HIV/AIDS.
Conducting an education and information campaign.

Competencies

Professionalism

Knowledge of clinical, occupational and tropical/travel medicine. Formal training in CPR and, preferably in BCLS and ACLS or equivalent emergency medical care. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning And Organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Accountability

Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Creativity

Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Technological Awareness

Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Commitment To Continuous Learning

Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Client Orientation

Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced University Degree in Medicine from an accredited University and currently licensed to practice within home country or other national jurisdiction;
Valid certification in Advanced Trauma Life support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Or Prehospital trauma life support is required;
Certification in HIV care OR VCCT is desirable.

Experience

At least five (5) years progressive experience and practice in general medicine in developing countries or countries in conflict, of which at least one year should be in Trauma and Emergency care and two years in Internal Medicine;
Surgical, ICU, aeromedical or anesthetic experience is an advantage;
Experience in Tropical Medicine,
Previous UN medical system/international medical experience is desirable.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is expected

Language Requirements