PHC Medical Doctor

WHAT IS MSF ?

Médecins Sans Frontières/أطباء بلا حدود  بلا أطباء (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in 70 countries who are 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 and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

We offer basic healthcare, perform surgery, fight epidemics, rehabilitate and run hospitals and clinics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate nutrition centers, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid. Where necessary, we set up sanitation systems, supply safe drinking water, and distribute relief to assist survival.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project started in Sept. 2013 in Shatila, where MSF currently manages an outpatient center for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), vaccination services with transversely integrated mental health services and health promotion, and referrals for patients who require services beyond the scope of MSF activities. Additionally MSF opened a women’s health center with sexual and reproductive health care.
During 2018, low risk deliveries were relocated from Shatila to Rafik Hariri University Hospital compound, where MSF runs a Birth Centre. MSF took this as an opportunity to work together with external partners as catalyst for change around midwifery model of care and demedicalization of deliveries. The antenatal care services remains in the camps, to serve the most vulnerable women.
In Bourj el Barajneh camp, besides the above mentioned activities, MSF provides in addition home based care for those patients who are housebound or bedridden often due to an advanced NCD disease.

MSF BIRTH CENTER (BC)

The MSF Birth Center is unique in Lebanon, in its objective to develop a midwife led model of care. The midwives are responsible  for all of the deliveries and are only required to consult the obstetrician in case of complications. The model focuses on low risk pregnancies. There is an assesment room for all patients being followed in ANC, including the higher risk cases and they may attend at any time to be assessed. The most important role of the obstetrician is to manage any complicated cases either in BC or prior to referral to another hospital, and to be active in teaching, coaching and empowering of the midwives and nurses to help develop the midwife led model of care.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide outpatient medical care to patients/beneficiaries according to adapted and updated medical knowledge, MSF protocols, values and universal hygiene standards to improve the patients/beneficiaries health conditions.

Follow medical ethics, and those of MSF, with respect of the patient’s autonomy, dignity and cultural and religious belief

This position involves rotation in our NCD clinic in Shatila camp and our low mobility NCD clinic in Bourj al Barjne camp.

DETAILED ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Apply medical knowledge and skills to diagnose and prevention. Carry out outpatient and inpatient consultations, prescribing the necessary treatment respecting MSF protocols.
• Keep the patient and/or his/her family informed about the illness and provide appropriate explanations about the treatment to follow, checking they have understood.
• Follow up the evolution of the hospitalized/IDP patients, through daily visits , consultations and examinations, prescribing the necessary treatment following MSF protocols, deciding whether they can be discharged or transferred to other departments – in collaboration with other doctors- and informing their family about the patient’s evolution.
• Check and control the rational distribution of medicines and equipment under his/her responsibility and take care the quality, disinfection and sterilization of the medical material. Assure general compliance with standing hygiene standards.
• Participate in the collection and analysis of epidemiological data, checking its validity and informing the line manager or project coordinator about any problem or complication of the patients illness, medical error and monitors the proper functioning of the department, equipment or material.
• Ensure ongoing training of the medical/paramedical multidisciplinary team in order to optimize the quality of care.
• Knows and ensures all MSF medical protocols are followed and implemented, checking universal precautions are followed at all times and reducing bio-hazard risks and improving infection control. Ensures professional confidentiality is respected.
• Manage the team under his/her direct responsibility according to MSF HR policies and procedures, supervising their performance, organizing and scheduling shifts and rotations, directly participating in emergencies and on calls if necessary.

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Daily consultations

• Daily OPD consultations for all patients, including children below 18 years old suffering from non-communicable diseases, including type 1 diabetes. The objective is to provide quality treatment and ensure the best, appropriate, medical care available in this context.

Patient-centred care

• Provide essential health information to the patients and their family to develop their self-management of their condition. The objective is to aid patients in becoming more independent in their own care.
• Assist in developing a patient focused environment in the centers. We aim to provide a welcoming, supportive and informative service to our beneficiaries. The service should encourage patient and care takers /family member’s involvement in clinic visits and the decision making process. By being patient focused we aim to consider the patient’s individual needs and motivations, rather than just the medical diagnosis.

Referral of cases

• Based on clinical diagnoses identify patients in need of secondary health care and ensure timely referral to the governmental health structures and other actors in the area, through proper communication with the referral team.
• Engage in the transfer process of eligible patients to other PHCs supported by pre identified NGOs.

Management of daily work

• Ensure that patients files are completed appropriately and legibly, with good documentation of clinical findings, vital signs monitoring, investigations, referrals and treatments.
• Ensure rational prescribing, utilising the prescription guidelines and MSF protocols
• Refer and liaise closely with the multi-disciplinary team, (SW, PSEC, HP, psychologist), to address patient needs and participate actively in the MDT meetings.
• Follow the MSF protocols, and guidelines, whilst also keeping up to date with other relevant guidelines which might influence your management of patients.
• Ensure accurate and timely data collection and engage in audits and file analysis.

Communication

• Ensure good communication with the line manager and team, aiding to the effective management of the patients and a collaborative working environment.
• Ensure prompt recognition and involvement of line manager for patients with severe complications needing urgent management.
• Ensure patient confidentiality and respect towards all patients. 

Surveillance

• Develop a good understanding of the health needs of the population and promptly report any concerns and management suggestions to the line manager.

Hygiene

• Follow the universal precautions (asepsis and hygiene) and the waste management procedure (sharp waste, contaminated waste).

Trainings / meetings

• Actively engage in trainings and meeting conducted or arranged by MSF.

Additional tasks

• On request perform any other additional duties given by the immediate supervisor in order to allow the organisation to function optimally

 Mobile phones are not permitted during patient consultations.

REQUIREMENTS

Education : Essential - Medical Doctor Diploma +MOH authorization to practice and registration in Order of Doctors

Desirable experience : A minimum of 2 years’ clinical experience as a Medical Doctor post graduate. Desirable experience in family / internal medicine or non-communicable disease management

IT skills: Essential computer literacy (word, excel)

Soft Skills: Results and Quality Orientation,  Teamwork and Cooperation,  Flexibility,  Commitment,  Stress management