PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (BACKGROUND)

International Medical Corps is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through healthcare training and relief and development programs.

Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in areas worldwide. By offering training and healthcare to local populations and medical assistance to people at high risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated healthcare systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

When catastrophe hits, International Medical Corps is often one of the first humanitarian aid organizations on the scene providing rapid and effective aid that saves lives, reduces suffering, and promotes self-reliance.

International Medical Corps provides safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient centered care; offers needs-based response according to the context and type of sudden onset disaster (SOD) and/or outbreak in the affected nation; adopts a human rights-based approach to its response; ensures it is accessible to all sections of the population affected by the SOD and/or outbreak, particularly the vulnerable; and treats patients in a medically ethical manner. 

International Medical Corps is accountable to patients and communities, host governments and ministries of health, and its organization and donors. International Medical Corps commits to a coordinated response under the national health emergency management authorities. International Medical Corps collaborates with the national health system, the clusters and the humanitarian community.

Selected personnel are on standby to deploy to a crisis within 48 hours. Personnel may deploy to new areas of operation or lend support to International Medical Corps teams already on the ground. International Medical Corps maintains a roster of volunteers and staff who have completed pre-deployment paperwork, orientation and training. The roster is updated on a regular basis. Through this expression of interest, applicants maintain professional profiles with International Medical Corps, so that information is complete and readily available for an emergency response deployment.

This position will support International Medical Corps’ emergency response delivering outpatient clinical care to disaster-affected populations.

**NOTE** Candidates applying to this position are indicating that they are interested in being considered for International Medical Corps’ standby roster for emergency response. Roster members will be contacted only when there is an emergency-response need for which the responder is qualified. This position will not be compensated unless responders are deployed to an emergency response.

SUMMARY:  The Volunteer, Doctor will be responsible for providing clinical services in an outpatient health care setting. He/she will be responsible for providing client counseling and direct care services including adult, adolescent and pediatric health services for both chronic and acute conditions. He/she is expected to diagnose and treat patients, provide appropriate referrals as needed and provide health education. In addition, he/she may also be requested to assist hospital staff as needed. On occasion, the Volunteer, Doctor will be required to attend an emergency delivery or supervise a Volunteer, Midwife during an emergency deployment.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Provide clinical services for disaster-affected population according to internationally accepted standards. 
•    According to internationally accepted standards, ensure high quality clinical care based on analysis of relevant and available patient history/records, appropriate physical exam and investigations to provide accurate diagnosis (or diagnoses) and treat/refer accordingly 
•    Adhere to international drug usage protocols 
•    Ensure mental health detection and appropriate referral 
•    Monitor disease trends and notify supervisor of any changes in trends which may require adjustment of activities 
•    Anticipate changing needs and potential emergencies and inform supervisor 
•    Identify any reportable diseases and notify supervisor and local health authorities; assist with outbreak response if needed according to international protocols 
•    Work with IMC staff and relevant local health authorities to set up appropriate strategies to prevent identify and treat endemic diseases as needed 
•    Track daily patient data using tally sheets or other tools provided and submit patient data as required according to team protocols.
•    Collect and analyze project and service data to inform and adjust project objectives/plans, strategic choices and quality of care in collaboration with IMC team members, local partners and other relevant staff if required.
•    Provide health education to patients and community members concerning their diagnoses, healthy diets, physical activity, hygiene promotion, and disease prevention (such as need for vaccination, smoking cessation, etc.) 
•    Conduct urinalysis and rapid diagnostic such as blood glycose or additional rapid tests such as malaria tests
•    Monitor and coordinate program activities assigned for the project 
•    Work with program staff, local doctors, midwives, nurses and auxiliary staff (eg CHWs) to provide both didactic and on-the-job training to build capacity and enhance their skills 
•    Collaborate with other departments as needed to ensure smooth implementation and integration of services 
•    Adhere to administrative directives with regards to work schedules, record keeping, patient communications, re-stocking of essential drugs, consumables and other medical supplies 
•    Provide all services to patients free of charge 

General 
•    Deployed personnel are expected to assist with the setup, maintenance and demobilization of the clinical spaces and base camp as required.

Policy Adherence
•    Actively promote PSEA (prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse) standards within International Medical Corps and among beneficiaries served by International Medical Corps. 
•    Adhere to the Code of Conduct, maintain humanitarian principles and respect international humanitarian law at all times.

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

•    Typically, a Medical degree (Primary care physician) with a valid license to practice and be board certified or equivalent (board eligible). Master’s in Public Health preferable. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
•    Typically, 6+ year of relevant Post Graduate medical experience, that should include developing country experience or in low-resource settings.
•    Experience in overseas programs relating to primary health care, maternal and child health, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and communicable diseases preferable 
•    Previous NGO experience preferable 
•    Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks in a dynamic, high pressure environment 
•    Excellent communications skills, both oral and written. 
•    Excellent self-motivation skills. 
•    Ability to exercise sound judgment and excellent decision-making skills. 
•    Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations 
•    Able to work effectively with various personalities and cultures 
•    Ability to relate to and motivate local staff effectively. 
•    Able to work with limited resources. 
•    Able to deploy to emergencies on short notice 
•    Fluency in written and spoken English is required; fluency in Spanish, French or, Arabic is desirable
 

ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL OR LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the responsibilities referenced above, candidates can expect to be living and working in austere conditions. Lifting moderately heavy objects from the ground, carrying a backpack for extended periods of time, and walking or hiking in remote locations may be necessary to perform these functions.

International Medical Corps is a first responder to natural and man-made disasters and has a mandate of working in remote locations. The organization has a comprehensive security management policy and plan in place and is committed to doing everything possible within its remit to ensure safety and security. Notwithstanding, the mandate and programming choices of International Medical Corps require staff members who have a high degree of resilience, extremely decisive qualities and the ability to move fast.