Medical Officer

JOB SUMMARY

The Medical Officer contributes to the calling of Medical Teams International by performing consultations in OPD and IPD units in line with Ministry of Health protocol and clinical guidelines to diagnose, treat and manage patients. Performs surgery within competency and controls the rational distribution of medicine to improve patients’ health conditions.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform OPD/IPD ward rounds to assess patient condition, diagnose and prescribe treatment, follow up of cases and/or refer complicated cases in line with clinical guidelines for specliased care where applicable. 
• Perform surgical management of cases such as obstetric, gynaecological, general surgical emergencies and cold cases.   
• Determine when IPD patients should be discharged or transferred, ensuring referrals are managed efficiently to minimize complications. 
• Ensure rational prescription, dispensing of medicines, monitoring of side effects, management of adverse events, and ensure optimal functionality of equipment including reporting for routine servicing and repairs. 
• Ensure sterilization and good maintenance of medical equipment 
• Keep the patient and family informed about the illness and provide appropriate explanations about the treatment to follow; verify understanding to ensure informed consent and adherence to treatment. 
• Ensure accurate documentation of all medical treatment on patient medical forms, registers, etc for easily reference by other health workers in line of patient care.
• Actively participate in emergency preparedness and response e.g. disease outbreak, refugee influx 
• Attend to emergency cases in the health facility. 
• Participate in the recruitment of medical staff. 
• Ensure effective infection prevention and control protocol and universal precautions are followed at all times and implement and monitor actions to reduce bio-hazard risks and improve infection control. 
• Ensure ongoing training of the medical/paramedical multidisciplinary team in order to optimize the quality of care. 
• Participate in the collection and analysis of epidemiological data, checking its validity and informing the Medical Coordinator about any problem or complication of the patient’s illness, including medical error. 
• Ensure that medical practices are conducted with the highest level of integrity and ethics according to professional and Medical Teams codes of conduct. 
• Ensure direct reports have clear objectives, receive mentorship and participate in capacity building opportunities.  
• Conduct performance evaluations and enforce disciplinary process as per Medical Teams policy. 
• Ensure data collected is accurate and submit reports according to schedule.  

Other Duties: 

• Ensure the Safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations.  
• Utilize volunteers and interns when appropriate. 
• Additional duties as assigned. 

EDUCATION, LICENSES & CERTIFICICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery
• Registration with Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council
• Valid practising license

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in a hospital practice relating to primary health care, maternal and child health, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases

Preferred:

• Experience working with INGOs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITITES

Knowledge:  

• Knowledge of primary health care, maternal and child health, reproductive health, HIV and AIDS and communicable diseases, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology 
• Knowledge of professional clinical medicine principles, procedures and techniques 
• Knowledge of surgery methods and best practices 
• Knowledge of medicines, hygiene management and IPC protocol  

Skills: 

• Skilled in applying clinical medicine principles and procedures in the evaluation and treatment of patients 
• Skilled in performing surgery within competency 
• Skilled in prescribing correct medication  
• Skilled at building and maintaining a high functioning, high performing work team
• Excellent interpersonal, relational and communication skills 
• A good command of both written and spoken English 

Abilities: 

• Commitment to Medical Teams International Calling Statement and Core Values: Courageous, Tenacious, Accountable, Selfless, and Not Alone
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient information and adhere to professional code of conduct 
• Ability to treat all patients and staff with respect, without prejudice 
• Ability to provide high quality, ethical, compassionate care that places the needs of the patient first 
• Ability to maintain detailed records with high accuracy 
• Ability to be flexible and manage stress 
• Ability to work collaboratively with others 

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Requirements: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Frequent use of a computer, databases and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer. 
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer. 
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern which requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself. 
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder depending on the role.
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc. 
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move heavy items 
• Seldom to occasionally positions oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot. 

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. 
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions. 

NOTE:

• The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department or organization. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

• Medical Teams International is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation - regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment process includes extensive reference and background checks, self-disclosure of prior issues regarding sexual or other misconduct and criminal records and our values are a part of our Performance Management System.

• Medical Teams International Uganda is an equal opportunity employer and does not at any stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind. Further, Medical Teams International Uganda does not retain any agent to conduct recruitments on behalf of the organization. Please note that under no circumstances shall Medical Teams International Uganda be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages, expenses or other inconvenience resulting from or in any way connected to the actions of fraudsters and other false agents.