Health Assistant

Job Description

Title: Health Assistant

Company Name: Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

Vacancy: 4

Age: 18 to 58 years

Job Location: Cox`s Bazar (Ukhia)

Salary: Tk. 45000 (Monthly)

Experience:

• At least 1 year

• Diploma in Health Technology and Services
• Diploma in Nursing

• At least 1 year

• Age 18 to 58 years

Education: Essential: Nurse-aide/Health Assistant diploma (2 years) 

Experience:

• Desirable: 1 year work experience as a health assistant or nurse aid

• Desirable: having experience in ICU/pediatric/neonates

• Desirable: Working experience with MSF or other INGO/NGO

Languages: Essential: Chittagoian Dialect language and basic understanding in English

Competencies:

• Results and Quality Orientation L1

• Teamwork and Cooperation L2

• Behavioural Flexibility L2

• Commitment to MSF Principles L1

• Stress Management L2

• Ability and willingness to work flexibly across different wards during peak periods, and emergency situations

• Ability to support rapid patient turnover and increased workload in high-pressure clinical settings

Accountabilities

• Assisting the nurse in organizing and providing care and treatments to patients as directed, respecting at all times, the rules of hygiene, safety, comfort, dignity, medical secret and patient confidentiality.

• Responding promptly to nurse’s requirements in case of an emergency.

• Participating in the surveillance and monitoring of the patient and reporting to the nurse any relevant information. Compensating patients’ possible lack of autonomy by assisting and helping them in feeding, personal hygiene, movements and general comfort

• Reporting any problem arising in the care unit, especially the loss, robbery or damage of equipment or medicines.

• Ensuring cleanliness of his/her working environment (including facilities, material, linen, equipment, and carrying out the sorting and disposal of waste)

• Working together with the nurses, and care-takers.

• Participating actively in the hospital platform (meetings, committee,.), trainings and in the basic health education sessions

• Participating in any other related activities as requested by the line manager

• Performing minor maintenance and cleaning of the biomedical equipment following user manual and protocols. Alerting the supervisor in case of malfunctioning of any device.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

General Responsibilities:

• As directed by the nurse in the health facility Outpatient Department (OPD) and In-Patient Department (IPD) settings, always respecting the rules of hygiene, safety, comfort, dignity, medical ethics and patient confidentiality.

• Reporting to the nurse any health relevant information in the OPD area and IPD (wards), compensating patients’ basic needs by assisting and helping them in feeding, personal hygiene, movements and general comfort.

• Being responsible for proper usage, maintenance and cleaning of biomedical equipment and pharmacy equipment in their respective wards and reporting any problem to the line manager (nurse/supervisor/NAM).

• Immediately inform the responsible nurse or doctor if the patient’s condition seems to be altered or if the caregivers have questions or suggestions about the treatment

Reception and follow up of patients:

• Receiving and installing the patients on their arrival in the service

• Informing patients of how the service functions and the modalities to be followed

• Helping the nurse to take and interpret vital signs and patients measurements

• Carrying out all care delegated by the nurse: damping down, changing urine collectors, parachecks, etc.

• Taking daily measures to ensure the hygiene and comfort of bed-ridden patients: washing, installation for eating meals, changing position, etc

• Ensuring patient safety and supporting safe patient flow

• Assisting in proper patient positioning, especially in critical patients

• Monitoring food intake and helping during meals if needed

• Ensuring adequate liquid intake

• Assisting and supporting patient’s caregiver in breastfeeding and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)

• Informing the nurse in case of changes in health status

• Reassuring and informing patients and the persons accompanying them throughout their facility visit.

• In collaboration with the responsible nurse and HP team, setting up health education sessions according to needs

• Prepare formula according to MSF guidelines and ensure cleaning (of material), storing and distribution of formula, according to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)- and other relevant guidelines

Hygiene in the service:

• Ensuring that used instruments are sent to sterilization service and properly stored after cleaning. Ensuring cleanliness of patient environment

• Supporting increased workload during peak periods under nurse supervision

• Being flexible to be deployed across different wards depending on patient flow and hospital priorities

• Reinforcing patient observation and early alert of deterioration, especially in high-risk pediatric patients

• Supporting safe patient care during periods of understaffing or high admission pressure.

• Salary according to MSF salary grid (Level 3) BDT 45000. Salary is not negotiable. Income tax deduction from salary will be applicable based on the current income tax rule.

• Two (2) annual leave days per month worked.

• Medical insurance for employees and direct dependents based on MSF Health Care Policy.