Volunteer placement for an Internal medicine
specialist, based in Tanzania, to try a new way of volunteering: 2 weeks, every
2-3 months for up to 3 years
specialist, based in Tanzania, to try a new way of volunteering: 2 weeks, every
2-3 months for up to 3 years
Background
The St. Francis Referral Hospital (SFRH) is located
in Ifakara, Southern Tanzania and has a capacity of 400 beds and attracts
approximately 700,000 referral patients per year from Kilombero and other
neighbouring districts. The hospital is connected historically and
operationally to a number of other health institutions. All the local partner
institutions depend on each other in order to be able to act as a platform for
health care, training and research. Through the support of volunteers there is
real potential to strengthen Ifakara as a centre of excellence in healthcare,
training and research.
in Ifakara, Southern Tanzania and has a capacity of 400 beds and attracts
approximately 700,000 referral patients per year from Kilombero and other
neighbouring districts. The hospital is connected historically and
operationally to a number of other health institutions. All the local partner
institutions depend on each other in order to be able to act as a platform for
health care, training and research. Through the support of volunteers there is
real potential to strengthen Ifakara as a centre of excellence in healthcare,
training and research.
In order to allow the hospital to fulfill its role
as a regional referral and teaching hospital, quality of services need to be
improved through better infrastructure, strengthening of the financial and
human resource management and by ensuring availability of qualified staff,
equipment and drugs. Swiss Development Cooperation and VSO are supporting the
SFRH to improve its quality of healthcare services in a sustainable way by
offering accessible and affordable quality services to the population and
providing excellent training and research opportunities to the local partner
institutions. Based in St. Francis Referral Hospital as the Internal Medicine
Specialist you will work closely with the Medical Director, Technical Adviser
(TA) Quality of Care and Head of Internal Medicine Department supporting the
department in improving quality of services, delivering training and improving
systems and procedures.
as a regional referral and teaching hospital, quality of services need to be
improved through better infrastructure, strengthening of the financial and
human resource management and by ensuring availability of qualified staff,
equipment and drugs. Swiss Development Cooperation and VSO are supporting the
SFRH to improve its quality of healthcare services in a sustainable way by
offering accessible and affordable quality services to the population and
providing excellent training and research opportunities to the local partner
institutions. Based in St. Francis Referral Hospital as the Internal Medicine
Specialist you will work closely with the Medical Director, Technical Adviser
(TA) Quality of Care and Head of Internal Medicine Department supporting the
department in improving quality of services, delivering training and improving
systems and procedures.
What does the role involve?
The specialist will work closely with the medical
director, technical adviser (TA) quality of care and head of internal medicine
department. The specialist will be accountable to the TA quality of care and
the medical director.
director, technical adviser (TA) quality of care and head of internal medicine
department. The specialist will be accountable to the TA quality of care and
the medical director.
- Support the internal medicine department to
improve quality of services – develop standard treatment guidelines. - Facilitate support supervision and on job
training of interns, other junior doctors and students in the department. - Provide consultant services for medical cases
that need specialist care. - Support the department to improve data
collection system. - Support the running of departmental meetings
regularly for all staff to discuss matters concerning improving quality of
services and management.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You must be a qualified medical doctor specialising
in internal medicine, with a minimum 5 years of medical experience and working
as a specialist for not less than 2 years. You should have experience in
teaching, training and mentoring staff and the ability to aid in developing
specific goals and plans for the trainees. You must be a team worker with good
social and interpersonal skills and networking abilities. You be able to handle
conflicts in a constructive consultative way. You should have a flexible personality,
adapting easily to new situations, and being able to set realistic expectations
on working in a hospital in the tropics. Knowledge of the challenges of working
in Africa would be advantageous.
in internal medicine, with a minimum 5 years of medical experience and working
as a specialist for not less than 2 years. You should have experience in
teaching, training and mentoring staff and the ability to aid in developing
specific goals and plans for the trainees. You must be a team worker with good
social and interpersonal skills and networking abilities. You be able to handle
conflicts in a constructive consultative way. You should have a flexible personality,
adapting easily to new situations, and being able to set realistic expectations
on working in a hospital in the tropics. Knowledge of the challenges of working
in Africa would be advantageous.
And the rest….
Ifakara in the south of Tanzania is an authentic
savannah grassland area that is green during the rainy season and brown in the
dry season. Daytime temperatures vary between 32-39 degrees Celsius throughout
the year. Southern Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s best national parks and
game reserves. There is some good hiking around Mbeya, the largest town in the
southwest, but it’s the country’s two largest parks, Ruaha National Park and
Selous Game Reserve that provide the most awe-inspiring encounters with lions,
elephants and wildebeests. Mikumi is a smaller national park, but its proximity
to Dar es Salaam makes it handy for those without the time for the full safari
but who still want to see some wildlife. While on placement, we’ll ask you to
commit to 12 weeks per year for up to 3 years to make a sustainable
contribution. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and
professional support. We’ll provide you with extensive training including
language classes before your placement, and our financial package includes a local
living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you
return to your home country, we’ll support you to resettle.
savannah grassland area that is green during the rainy season and brown in the
dry season. Daytime temperatures vary between 32-39 degrees Celsius throughout
the year. Southern Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s best national parks and
game reserves. There is some good hiking around Mbeya, the largest town in the
southwest, but it’s the country’s two largest parks, Ruaha National Park and
Selous Game Reserve that provide the most awe-inspiring encounters with lions,
elephants and wildebeests. Mikumi is a smaller national park, but its proximity
to Dar es Salaam makes it handy for those without the time for the full safari
but who still want to see some wildlife. While on placement, we’ll ask you to
commit to 12 weeks per year for up to 3 years to make a sustainable
contribution. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and
professional support. We’ll provide you with extensive training including
language classes before your placement, and our financial package includes a local
living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you
return to your home country, we’ll support you to resettle.
How to apply:
To find out more about volunteering with VSO or to
apply go to http://www.vsointernational.org/volunteer/
and quote T0785/0012/0001 on your
application. On average it takes a minimum of 4 months to go through the
application process so apply now.
apply go to http://www.vsointernational.org/volunteer/
and quote T0785/0012/0001 on your
application. On average it takes a minimum of 4 months to go through the
application process so apply now.
Closing Date: Friday, 30 August 2013
