Physician - CMMB in Zambia

Volunteer Position: Physician

Term: 6-12 Months

Program Description

CMMB – Healthier Lives Worldwide is an international, faith-based NGO providing long-term, co-operative, medical and development aid to communities affected by poverty and unequal access tohealthcare. For over a century, we have worked to strengthen and support communities through healthcare programs and initiatives, the distribution of medicines and medical supplies, and the placement of volunteers.

CMMB’s Children and Mothers Partnerships program (CHAMPS) provides effective support—and life-saving medical care—for pregnant women and newborns in eight communities across Haiti, Kenya, Peru, South Sudan, and Zambia.

CMMB’s Volunteer Program addresses the critical need for professionals in areas that lack sufficient resources for quality preventive and curative health services, especially for women and children. Our Volunteer Program has placed thousands of practitioners around the world to help develop and implement community health interventions, work at local hospitals and health facilities, conduct clinical training for host country counterparts, and deliver essential medicines and supplies. The ultimate goal of CMMB's Volunteer Program is to support our country teams and local healthcare workers by sending volunteers that are dedicated to strengthening local health systems and supporting a pattern of sustainable development.

Position Summary

Physicians will champion CMMB's mission by working within the hospital providing comprehensive care, including inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic services, and supportive supervision to local staff to strengthen the local health system in the community. As a Physician, you will be supporting the responsibilities outlined below, divided into four categories: direct healthcare delivery, capacity building, community-based activities and program support.

Duties & Responsibilities

Facility Based

• General in-patient out-patient care
• Perform exams, diagnose, prescribe treatment, and coordinate implementation of care plans
• Minor surgical suture, cleaning and dressing surgical wounds.
• Occasional assistance with major surgeries such as caesarean sections and post surgical treatment follow up.
• Order and interpret investigations and test results
• Administer vaccines and perform follow-up examinations
• Provide care for women and children during prenatal, natal, and postnatal periods
• Prepare and review medical records, clinical reports and correspondences
• Work closely with other healthcare providers to determine patient needs and care plans.

Educational Focus

• Work directly with hospital leadership and clinical staff for capacity building and on-the-job training activities
• Work directly with hospital leadership and clinical staff on improving health service delivery to diverse patient population
• Participate in facility based continuing education and academic activities
• Participate in various outreach projects within the community setting and in coordination with care teams and CMMB staff
• Assist with the planning and implement project trainings for healthcare workers and community mobilizers

Community Based

• Collaborating with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and co-develop need-based plans and intervention strategies
• Facilitate training sessions to educate and train local staff on topics relevant to their profession and based on programmatic needs identified.
• Implementing initiatives to educate the community about health topics and resources including distribution of health education materials, reports, bulletins, and visual aids.
• Provide primary health care education and preventative medicine to adults, children and families including educating patients in disease prevention and health maintenance

Operational Focus

• Record, maintain and report data to CMMB program staff to assist with grant applications and reporting needs.
• Assist with the development of communication projects and outreach initiatives. Assess and report training, supplies and medicines needed to program staff as needed.
• Collaborate with the CMMB Volunteer Program team to provide input on prospective volunteers during the vetting process and update materials for the Field Volunteer Orientation.
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Skill Requirements

• M.D, D.O or equivalent degree required
• Current, active license to practice medicine in good standing with licensing body
• Board Certification/Eligible in Family Medicine/Internal Medicine
• Minimum 5 year of experience as an independent licensed practitioner
• Knowledge of professional and ethical standard of health care delivery and practice
• Capacity to administer treatment to patients while dealing with them in a sympathetic and tactful manner
• Ability to work collaboratively and live with a diverse group of professionals
• Familiarity and interest in global health issues, especially maternal and child health issues
• Familiarity and interest in public and community health or preventative medicine
• Willingness to endure resource-limited working conditions and evening/weekend hours
• At least 1 years of experience in at least one of the following clinical focus areas preferred:
  • Maternal health
  • Labor and Delivery
  • Infectious diseases
  • Neonatal care
  • Tropical medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Psychology
  • Cardiology
• Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) course preferred
• Knowledge of STDs, HIV/AIDS, and/or PMTCT protocols preferred
• International experience or experience working in developing countries is preferred
• Experience as a supervisor, manager, teacher, trainer and/or any relevant leadership activities is preferred