Main Purpose
Lead an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program
in a medical and surgical humanitarian hospital. Médecins Sans Frontières
(MSF) / Doctors Without Borders has increased its focus on the problem of
antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is growing rapidly in
low and middle-income countries and MSF faces ongoing challenges managing
antibiotic resistant infections in hospitalized patients particularly in
patients with burns, trauma, hospital infections and in pediatric and
neonatal care. AMR threatens patient outcomes, makes hospitals less safe and
increases costs. MSF is committed to responding and one part of this response
is to increase efforts to conserve the effectiveness of antibiotics through
antibiotic stewardship.
Accountabilities
· Medical doctors tasks In addition to Antimicrobial Stewardship Focal Point tasks
· Leading, promoting and supporting antimicrobial stewardship efforts in
the healthcare facility(s) across the spectrum of healthcare.
· Establish and participate in a multidisciplinary Antimicrobial
Stewardship (AS)committee (that meets regularly with Terms of Reference).
· Identify antimicrobial stewardship priorities together with the AS
committee and the mission.
· Monitor, collect and analyze the antimicrobial data reported to the
multidisciplinary AS committee.
· Conduct regular audits relevant to stewardship priorities. This might
include audits of antibiotic use, treatment of select conditions, indications
for microbiology testing, and communication of results.
· Provide feedback to the project and the mission regarding results of
audits and plan improvements.
· Co-ordinate and deliver education to other medical, nursing and
pharmacy staff around stewardship.
· Support other clinical staff regarding antibiotic choices and regularly
participate in clinical rounds.
· Liaise with the laboratory for timely communication of results (where
relevant), interpretation of results and feedback to clinicians.
· Collaborate with lab + IPC to prospectively monitor pathogens of
concern and respond to hospital outbreaks including outbreaks of multidrug
resistant organisms/bacteria (MDRO).
· Identify opportunities to improve stewardship in the project (e.g.,
therapeutic drug monitoring, OPAT).
· Participate in relevant project level committees (e.g., IPC, Quality
improvement, Morbidity + Mortality reviews).
· In collaboration with IPC and the clinical team, participate in
detection, management and prevention of healthcare associated infections.
Requirements
Requirements
Education: Essential: Medical Doctor degree registered with
the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) with a valid
practicing licence.
Desirable: Completed on-line training in Antimicrobial
stewardship [e.g. BSAC (British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy) and/or
WHO (World Health Organisation)]
Experience:
Essential: Essential: at least 5 years’ experience in
working as a medical doctor in inpatient settings.
Desirable: experience in reviewing medical records/reviewing appropriateness of
antimicrobials
Languages
: English Essential & Swahili Desirable
Knowledge : Essential – Have a working
understanding of key pathogens, their usual antibiotic susceptibilities,
typical clinical presentations, and empiric or targeted treatment.
• Have a working understanding of the modes of
action of antimicrobials including their spectrum of activity.
• Have a working understanding of the key
principles of infection prevention and control (IPC) and the relationship
between IPC and AMR Antimicrobial Resistance).
• Have a working understanding of the
appropriate use of antimicrobials to prevent the emergence of resistance and
avoidance of adverse effects.
• Have a working understanding of the use of
diagnostic tests in the investigation and management of infectious diseases. How to use data for feedback and reporting.
Desirable:Understanding of
behaviour change principles.
• Able to provide face to face feedback to
prescribers about antibiotic prescriptions
Competencies: People management • Commitment • Flexibility • Results • Analytical
thinking • Planning and organization • Teamwork
Skills Required
- Medical Doctor degree registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC)
- Valid KMPDC practicing licence
- At least 5 years of experience working as a medical doctor in inpatient settings
- English language proficiency
- Working understanding of key pathogens, antibiotic susceptibilities, clinical presentations, and antimicrobial treatment
- Working understanding of antimicrobial modes of action and spectrum of activity
- Working understanding of infection prevention and control principles and their relationship to antimicrobial resistance
- Working understanding of appropriate antimicrobial use and prevention of resistance and adverse effects
- Working understanding of diagnostic testing for infectious disease investigation and management
- Ability to use data for feedback and reporting
- Completion of antimicrobial stewardship training, such as BSAC or WHO training
- Experience reviewing medical records and antimicrobial appropriateness
- Swahili language proficiency
- Understanding of behavior change principles
- Ability to provide face-to-face feedback to prescribers about antibiotic prescriptions
What We Do
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization that provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, and disasters.
