General Physician Volunteer, Jamaica Response

Project HOPE is an international NGO with more than 1,000 engaged employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 65-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world, helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination, or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Location:

This Volunteer role is intended to be based in Jamaica. Priority will be given to healthcare workers trained and currently practicing in Latin America and/or the Caribbean, due to the alignment of medical protocols.

Program Summary:

Since Hurricane Melissa, Project HOPE has been supporting Jamaican communities by distributing hygiene items, food, water, medical supplies for hospitals, and other essential items.

Due to the widespread damage to primary healthcare facilities (PHCs) in western Jamaica, the project is operating multiple Mobile Medical Units and supporting primary health care facilities across the hurricane-impacted parishes, focusing on isolated communities and those without functioning primary health care centers.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The General Physican Volunteer is responsible for performing consultations in mobile and static clinics to diagnose, treat, and manage patients in line with MoHW and country-specific best practice guidelines, controls the rational distribution of medicine, and performs medical diagnoses with competence in the health facility.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess patient condition, diagnose and prescribe treatment, and/or refer complicated cases in line with clinical guidelines and hygiene protocols.
• Determine when patients should be discharged or transferred, ensuring referrals are managed efficiently to minimize complications.
• Control the rational distribution of medicine and equipment; ensure sterilization and good maintenance of medical equipment and report any malfunctioning to the supervisor.
• 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 data traceability by recording all medical activities on the patient’s card and in registration books, such that patient treatment is continuous.
• Participate in community mobilization and sensitization on curative and preventative health services.
• Ensure general hygiene standards and universal precautions are always followed and implement and monitor actions to reduce bio-hazard risks and improve infection control.
• Ensure that medical decisions are made with the highest level of integrity and ethics according to the professional Code of Conduct.
• Ensure direct reports have clear objectives, receive mentorship, and participate in capacity-building opportunities.
• Ensure data collected is accurate and submit reports according to schedule.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Typically, a medical degree (Primary care physician) with a valid license to practice and be board certified or equivalent (board eligible). Master’s in public health preferred. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Physicians trained in Latin America and the Caribbean will be prioritized due to requirements for congruence with medical protocols.
• Typically, 6+ years of relevant post-graduate medical experience, which should include developing country experience or experience in low-resource settings.
• Experience in overseas programs relating to primary health care, maternal and child health, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and communicable diseases is preferable.
• Previous NGO experience is preferable.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks in a dynamic, high-pressure environment
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent self-motivation skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and excellent decision-making skills.
• Extremely flexible and have the ability to cope with stressful situations
• Able to work effectively with various personalities and cultures
• Ability to relate to and motivate local staff effectively.
• Able to work with limited resources.
• Able to deploy to emergencies on short notice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position will support Project HOPE’s Jamaica response delivering outpatient clinical care to disaster-affected populations.

In addition to the responsibilities mentioned above, candidates can expect to be living and working in austere conditions. Lifting moderately heavy objects from the ground, carrying a backpack for extended periods of time, and walking or hiking in remote locations may be necessary to perform these functions.

Selected personnel are on standby to deploy to a crisis within 48 hours. Personnel may deploy to new areas of operation or lend support to Project HOPE teams already on the ground.

Due to the substantial number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls, please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.