Consultant Paediatrician - Locum Retainer

Job Title               CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN

Reports to           DOCTOR-IN-CHARGE

Department        CLINICAL OPERATIONS
Contract Type      Locum Retainer

Business Purpose/Objective       The job holder will be expected to provide quality Paediatric services to both outpatients and inpatients; and assist in ensuring smooth operations in the clinical department and contribute positively to business strategy.

About Jacaranda Maternity
Jacaranda Maternity is redesigning the future of healthcare in East Africa for the patients who need it most. Our hospital in Nairobi is changing the way maternal healthcare is provided by developing better ways to provide high-quality, patient-centred maternity care at affordable prices. Currently, we see over 3,000 clients a month. We have won global and local recognition, including from the Centre for Health Market Innovations, the Gates Foundation, Savings Lives at Birth, and Innovations in Healthcare – and our facility has been independently rated as among the highest quality in Kenya.

We have big ambitions and require a Consultant Paediatrician. Reporting to our doctor-in-charge, you will take on significant responsibility, we are looking for someone highly motivated, caring, dedicated Paediatrician to be responsible for the medical and health care of children.

Will you join us and help transform maternal and new-born health care in East Africa?

Education           

• MMed in Paediatrics and Child Health care from a recognized institution
• Specialist Recognition by the Kenya Medical Practitioners' and Dentists' Board.
• Registered, licenced and retained by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Board.

Experience        

• At least 2 years’ post graduate working experience in a busy facility preferably neonatal experience

Knowledge and Skills Requirements       

• Should have the desire and ability to enhance the scope of paediatric health services in order to meet and exceed the expectation of the client.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Ability to positively influence and nurture teamwork.
• High level of customer-satisfaction orientation.
• Expert diagnostic skills.
• Trustworthy and compassionate character.

Key competencies          

• Commitment to providing high quality care and excellence.
• Ability to work effectively with a team in a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to use initiative to solve problems is a key competence.

What You Will Do

Skills and Capacity Building (Initially 70% of your time, but this will be reduced as capacity is built)

• Draft protocols in relation to development of our neonatal nursery in accordance with risk specifications of the hospital;
• Draft protocols in relation to handling of paediatric patients in relation to outpatient services;
• Provide training to our clinical workforce and assist with curriculum development to promote continuous training and monitoring, provided via the Clinical Educator;
• Draft drills to assist with upskilling existing clinical workforce.

Clinical Work (initially 30% of your time, but will increase as our hospital network grows)

• Conduct regular thorough examinations on newborns and young children to check and record their health and normal physical development;
• Examine sick children to determine their condition and ask intuitive questions to gather information about symptoms;
• Reach an informed diagnosis based on scientific knowledge and individual medical history;
• Prescribe medications and give detailed instructions for administration;
• Prescribe and interpret appropriate lab tests to gain more information for possible infections or abnormalities;
• Examine and treat injuries and refer the little patients to physicians of other disciplines when necessary (e.g. surgeons, ophthalmologists, orthopaedists etc.);
• Advise parents on children’s diet, exercise and disease preventive measures;
• Keep updated records of patients’ illnesses, surgeries or other medical episodes (allergic shocks, injuries etc.);
• Keep abreast of advancements in paediatrics and best practices by attending seminars and conferences
• Medical care will conform to best practice and meet contract target and service specifications;
• A preliminary discharge summary will be issued to each patient prior to them leaving hospital, in accordance with service specifications;
• Coordinating and managing emergency patients in the inpatient and outpatient and ensuring client referral is effective;
• The referring doctor will be kept informed of inpatient and outpatient progress;
• Maintain effective interpersonal relationships with all staff and patients and ensure clients have a good customer experience at Jacaranda Maternity;
• Ensure that patients are kept fully informed of and understand all procedures and treatments to be undertaken. Informed Consent will be obtained from patients in accordance with Jacaranda policy;
• Maintain patient rights, and be aware of cultural differences when dealing with patients.
• Should you receive or become aware of complaints relating to the standard of care and/or the treatment of patients, or professional attitudes toward staff, these shall be referred to the Chief Executive Officer and discussed with the Senior Management Team;
• Liaise with other medical and non-medical staff in the hospital to ensure quality treatment;
• A maximum of 20 min response time for emergencies on scheduled shifts.