Stabilization Center Nurse

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilians’ victims of marginalization and exclusion, or hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency.

PUI has been operating in Nigeria since 2016, initially establishing its presence in Borno State with a field office in Maiduguri. Over the years, PUI has expanded its humanitarian response to deep-field locations, including Monguno and Pulka, and more recently to Katsina State in Northwest Nigeria.

Location: Gusau, Zamfara
Employment Type: Contract

General Objective / Summary

• Under the direct supervision of the SC Medical Doctor, the stabilization center (SC) Nurse is responsible for the nutrition rehabilitation among admitted cases through providing timely and quality treatment of medical complications associated with SAM and provision of therapeutic feeds, routine and specialized medicines, health and nutrition counseling in liaison with the physicians.
• S/he is also responsible to ensure that all activities in the SC ward are consistent with established best practices according to the standardized protocols, policies and guidelines outlined by the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and World Health Organization (WHO).

Main Responsibilities and Tasks
Consultation and patients care:

• Strictly monitor and record the vital signs regularly as in the protocol and report any deviation from the normal.
• Supervise and coordinate the strict patient management in the Stabilization center and ensure the laid protocols are followed.
• Participate in daily SC ward rounds with the Physicians and fill the patient cards after the round, medications and other patient examinations or procedures.
• Provide all other necessary nursing care and procedures for the patients.
• Carry out regular procedure like taking blood samples, providing IV medications and other necessary procedures as per the physician’s prescriptions.
• Apply the procedures of triage and perform admissions for the new cases as per the protocol.
• Refer to the doctor in charge or to the doctor on call relevant information such as patient’s status and laboratory results, which would assist in proper clinical management.
• Ensure quality and timely identification and treatment of medical complications associated with malnutrition in liaison with the Physicians.
• Ensure that all required observations, prescribed treatment and procedures are properly carried out and documented on patient’s charts.
• Monitor therapeutic Feeds and ensure that children get 3 hourly therapeutic feeds as required.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living while in the ward.
• Give and advice on the drug regimen for the patients.
• Welcome patients to the facility.
• Facilitate a timely referral of complicated SAM cases from the OTPs to the SC and vice versa and escort patient when necessary.

Team management and internal coordination:

• Ensure caretakers of SC patients receive appropriate nutrition education and referred and linked to community IYCF team.
• Participate actively in meetings when required.
• Provide regular mentoring and on-the-job training for the SC Nutrition Feeding Assistants.

Work environment:

• Maintain equipment’s in good condition and submit regular inventory report.
• Adhere to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with universal standards, procedures, rules and regulations.

Reporting:

• Report any difficulties or delays in the implementation of activities.
• Maintain registration and track the consumption of medicines, therapeutic foods and other consumables and share the report with the SC ward head physician.
• Ensure that all admissions, discharges, transfers and deaths are properly recorded as they occur.
• Responsible for the collection, compilation and analysis of quality data and production of the required reports for the SC activities in charge.

Specific code of conduct:

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all time.
• The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are non-exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project’s needs.
• Respect the rights of the patients and caretakers / attendants under his / her care.
• Ensure that SC beneficiaries, caretakers and members of the community are treated respectfully at all times.

Mandatory Requirements

• Work experience:
  • Previous work of CMAM program and with humanitarian organizations is added plus.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the inpatient SAM management protocols.
  • At least 2 years of progressive work experience in Nutrition Activities including significant experience in clinical management of complicated SAM cases in the SC.
• Education Degree: Diploma in Clinical Nurse or Above.
• Language skills: Good command in English and any local Dialects: Hausa.
• Computer Skills: Proficient user of MS office (including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Assets:

• Transversal skills.
• Strong motivation to help people in need.
• Able to manage stress and pressure.
• Well organized and hard worker.
• Interests.
• Understanding of the context of the area.
• Ability to analyse and suggest improvements of the activities.
• Honesty and reliable.
• Commitment to the NGO values and principles.
• Understanding and capacity of integration into the local environment.
• Ability to adapt or change priorities according to the changing situation within a mission or the organization itself.