Society, a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world, is currently seeking a Ward Nurse.
As part of the coordinated response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the Canadian Red Cross is seeking qualified personnel to join the fight against Ebola. The response requires efforts on multiple fronts, including community outreach, contact tracing, surveillance, management of human remains and case management. This job description covers a profile required specifically for the case management component. Selected applicants will be deployed to a Red Cross Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) in West Africa between mid-November 2014 and April 2015.
Every mission will initially be limited to four weeks internationally due to the hardship of having to work under heavy personal protective equipment. Prior to deployment, the Red Cross will provide you with mission-specific training including an extensive practical course on Ebola and related safety procedures. During the mission, you will be working in a well-established ETC. After deployment, the Red Cross will extend your contract by an additional three weeks rest period during which you will be instructed on how to self monitor. This is not a quarantine period. Anyone deploying in this way will be placed under a Red Cross contract with pay and benefits. All applicants will need to meet the health and professional standards established by the CRC.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The ward nurse is responsible for planning the activities of the viral hemorrhagic disease (Ebola) ward. The nurse provides care to the patients, attends to their needs, and ensures they are comfortable. S/he records and communicates information regarding the care of the patients. The nurse will work as part of a team of nurses and medical doctors. He/ She will provide supportive care to patients from the community infected with VHD.
• He/she is responsible to work on the ward of the hospital and provide supportive care to a range of patients. • The nurse is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with the various health actors. • He/she organizes or participates to all necessary internal or external meetings to ensure continuity and quality of care to patients.
- General Responsibilities
• Plans and organizes the nursing care and personal hygiene of his/her patients in an isolated environment. • Gives treatment at the appropriate time as prescribed by the doctor. • Ensures that each patient always has ORS or purified water for rehydration. • Assists patients in taking fluid as required or as prescribed by the doctor. • Informs the supervisor of the burial team when a patient dies. • Ensures that the items for admission are in place before each admission. • Explains the rules of the VHF Treatment Unit to all new patients, and their relatives. • Provides the necessary protective gear to the relative and ensures that they are familiar with the rules of the VHF Treatment unit. • Able to conduct local based training of local nursing staff, midwives and other hospital staff. • Reports orally and in writing all relevant information for patients during and end of shift. • Contribute to epidemic surveillance activities, as indicated, and collection of information relating to performance of hospital. • Conduct health education and promotion activities with patients, families and communities as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: • Registered nurse (licensed in Canada). • Minimum 2 years hospital experience post registration. • Acute care experience and / or work experience with highly dependent patients. • Public health, Tropical Medicine or primary health care experience is an asset. • Previous experience working in a resource poor environment is an asset.
Skills and Abilities • Excellent communication skills (patient communication). • Well organized and analytical. • Flexible, with demonstrated ability to plan and fix priorities. • Ability to work and deal with difficult conditions. • Ability to meet stress with emotional stability, objectivity and optimism. • Understand and awareness of infection control protocols and procedures and their application to an outbreak scenario. • Awareness and experience of working cross culturally. • Works well in a multi-disciplinary team. • Flexible to the changing needs and development of program activities. • Works efficiently in a challenging context, and an ability to live in basic conditions. • Support of and adherence to the Red Cross principles. • Strict adherence to infection control protocols, and demonstrated knowledge of barrier nursing.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working in West Africa in direct contact with infectious diseases such as Ebola is very demanding, both physically and psychologically. The living conditions in West Africa are difficult and you will be expected to live in basic living conditions (hotel) near the Ebola Treatment Centre. Working hours are according to shift requirements but you will be expected to be available 24 hours per day.
During the 3 weeks post-mission self-monitoring period, you are expected to be a minimum 4 hours’ drive from a certified medical facility in Canada, and should undergo a systematic self check related to any potential exposure and your health status.
How to apply:
Interested parties may submit their application by applying on the Canadian Red Cross Online Career Website.
This position is open until filled.
Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
This position requires a successful Canadian criminal record check. The Canadian Red Cross Society is an equal opportunity employer.