Midwife - female personnel only

EMERGENCY is an independent and neutral international organisation founded in 1994 to provide free, high-quality medical and surgical care to victims of war, landmines and poverty. EMERGENCY promotes a culture of peace, solidarity and respect for human rights. We work in a sustainable way: building healthcare facilities, training local personnel, and conducting search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea.

ROSTER POSITION FOR: Afghanistan

TYPE OF CONTRACT: fixed term contract (6 months), which includes a monthly salary, travel expenses, board and lodgings, insurance cover (liability, health and accident insurance), a period of paid leave to be taken at the end of the mission

The Midwife is responsible for the autonomous management and care of women in the reproductive health pathway, both in community and hospital settings. The role also requires managerial skills and training of health care personnel.

BACKGROUND AND ORGANISATION OF WORK

The Midwife is responsible for the training, clinical supervision and update of local health staff; she collaborates in the clinical care of the woman as a member of the multidisciplinary team; she participates in the management of the project as a whole, working with the medical, technical and administrative staff.

The midwife reports to the Medical Coordinator who has the organizational and managerial responsibility for the project.

Clinical activities take place in hospital and/or community settings depending on the project and includes the following departments and care areas:

– TRIAGE AND ASSESSMENT UNIT

– BIRTHING UNIT (LABOR AND DELIVERY ROOM, OPERATING ROOM)

– ANTENATAL AND POSTNATAL WARDS

– GYNECOLOGICAL WARD

– OBSTETRIC SUB-INTENSIVE CARE (HIGH DEPENDANCE UNIT)

– ANTENATAL AND POSTNATAL CARE IN COMMUNITY SETTING

– FAMILY PLANNING

– HEALTH EDUCATION

Working hours vary according to the workload, type and specific needs of the project; one day off per week is provided. The international Midwife is, however, required to be available 24/7 in case of need.

DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES

All EMERGENCY staff is expected to know and follow the hospital admissions criteria, guide lines, protocols, and the diagnosis and treatment standards in use in the Centre, and to ensure the correct compilation of clinical records and statistics in both electronic and paper formats.

The main duties and responsibilities of the midwife include:

– the support of national staff in the clinical management of women in all aspects of reproductive health: antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care; contraception; health education both in hospital and community settings

– to ensure the application of project-related protocols and guidelines

– to manage the organization of the various aspects of the projects in collaboration with the Medical Coordinator and the referents of the specialist area of the EMERGENCY Medical Division

– to conduct practical-clinical training and refresher training activities for national staff

– to participate in clinical research and data collection in accordance with the scientific programs of the specialist area of EMERGENCY's Medical Division

– to collaborate with all members of the national and international multidisciplinary team, both medical and technical-administrative, to develop and improve the project

– the assignment of specific tasks identified by the Medical Coordinator and/or Medical Coordination Unit referent for particular project needs

MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING OF LOCAL PERSONNEL

Along with the practical (on-the-job) training component carried out during the various stages of care, the international midwife is expected to provide theoretical training and clinical updates based on the Clinical Training division's programs and tools. Regular monitoring of achieved levels of autonomy and competence is also expected.

The international midwife supports, reinforces and, where possible, trains the national staff on management and coordination aspects.

CASELOAD AND EQUIPMENT

Cornerstones of midwifery and obstetrical care in the Anabah Maternity Centre are:

– the 'humanised birth' approach;

– the use of "birth technology" (induction of labour; continuous fetal electronic monitoring, etc) only evidence-based and adapted to the resources and possibilities of the specific context;

– TOLAC/VBAC; vaginal delivery in breech presentation and twin pregnancy;

– use of C-section only for absolute indication.

The maternity centre is part of a network of health clinics distributed in the catchment area. These health posts, many of which located in very remote areas, facilitate access to care for women and their transfer to the hospital when needed.

In the clinics, Afghan midwives independently carry out prenatal, postnatal (including assessment of the physiological new-born), family planning, and health education; they also collaborate with and support the paediatric and gynaecological activities that take place periodically in the clinic.

The international midwife's role includes the supervision and support of the field clinical activities.

In collaboration with the International Field Officer, Medical Coordinator and MCU referents, the international midwife shall manage and facilitate:

The communication between community clinics and hospital; the coordination of the medical staff; monitoring and evaluation activities and implementation of any new components of the care program.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Midwifery or equivalent diploma;
• at least 3 years of relevant clinical practice;
• delivery room experience is essential.