Stabilization Centre Clinical Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

JOB PURPOSE

The Clinical Officer will provide comprehensive, high-quality, integrated clinical and nutritional care to patients attending the Nutrition Stabilization Centre (SC/IPD) and Outpatient Department (OPD) at IRC Pamir PHCC.

The position holder will be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and follow-up of patients admitted to the Stabilization Centre, particularly children with complicated Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), in accordance with national and WHO guidelines and IRC clinical protocols.

Additionally, the Clinical Officer will provide general outpatient consultations, manage common medical conditions, identify and manage medical emergencies, ensure timely referrals and support continuity of care between inpatient and outpatient services.

The position holder will contribute to improving the quality, safety, effectiveness and accountability of integrated health and nutrition services for refugees and host communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Clinical Management – Nutrition Stabilization Centre (SC/IPD)

• Provide daily clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of children admitted with complicated SAM and associated medical complications.
• Ensure strict adherence to national CMAM guidelines, WHO protocols and IRC clinical standards for inpatient management of SAM.
• Conduct comprehensive admission assessments, including anthropometric measurements, nutritional status, clinical history, physical examination and identification of danger signs.
• Initiate and supervise appropriate inpatient treatment, including therapeutic feeding (F-75, 00 and other prescribed therapeutic feeds), routine medications, treatment of infections, electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, dehydration and other complications.
• Ensure appropriate management of SAM according to the stabilization, transition and rehabilitation phases.
• Monitor patients' clinical and nutritional progress through regular reviews, monitoring of vital signs, feeding tolerance, weight changes, fluid balance and treatment response.
• Identify complications and ensure timely escalation or referral of critically ill patients to higher-level facilities.
• Ensure appropriate transition and discharge of clinically stable patients to OTP or other relevant nutrition services in accordance with national admission and discharge criteria.
• Provide appropriate counselling and education to caregivers on feeding practices, hygiene, danger signs, medication adherence and follow-up appointments.
• Ensure accurate completion of patient clinical records, treatment charts, feeding charts, admission and discharge registers.

B. Outpatient Department (OPD) Clinical Services

• Conduct daily outpatient consultations for children, adults, pregnant and lactating women and other patients attending Pamir PHCC.
• Take comprehensive medical histories, conduct physical examinations, establish clinical diagnoses and prescribe appropriate treatment.
• Manage common childhood illnesses, including malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases, acute respiratory infections, skin infections and other communicable diseases.
• Assess and manage common adult medical conditions in accordance with approved national and IRC treatment protocols.
• Identify and provide initial management of medical emergencies, including severe respiratory distress, shock, severe dehydration, convulsions, severe anaemia and other life-threatening conditions.
• Conduct nutritional screening and identify patients requiring referral to OTP, TSFP, SC/IPD or other specialized nutrition services.
• Identify high-risk patients requiring further investigation, specialist consultation or referral to secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
• Provide appropriate clinical follow-up and ensure continuity of care for patients discharged from inpatient services.
• Promote rational prescribing and appropriate use of essential medicines in line with the IRC essential medicines list and standard treatment guidelines.
• Maintain accurate OPD consultation records, prescriptions, registers and daily service statistics.

C. Clinical Quality Assurance and Patient Safety

• Ensure adherence to IRC clinical guidelines, national Ministry of Health protocols and WHO standards.
• Promote safe, ethical, respectful and patient-centred care, maintaining confidentiality and dignity.
• Ensure appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) practices within SC/IPD and OPD departments.
• Conduct regular clinical reviews, prescription audits and patient chart reviews to improve quality of care.
• Ensure rational use of antibiotics, medicines and medical supplies.
• Monitor treatment outcomes, identify clinical gaps and implement corrective actions in collaboration with the supervisor.
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting of adverse events, medical errors, disease alerts and other patient safety incidents.
• Support clinical mentorship, on-the-job training and capacity-building of nurses and other healthcare workers.

D. Nutrition Programme Integration and Coordination

• Work closely with Nutrition Officers and nutrition teams to ensure effective integration of clinical and nutrition services.
• Ensure timely referral and counter-referral of patients between SC/IPD, OTP, TSFP and other relevant nutrition services.
• Participate in nutrition case reviews, clinical meetings and multidisciplinary discussions.
• Support the implementation of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) interventions.
• Promote appropriate caregiver involvement in inpatient feeding, care and recovery of malnourished children.
• Monitor inpatient nutrition outcomes, including recovery, default, death, referral and length of stay.
• Identify service delivery gaps and recommend appropriate interventions to improve clinical and nutritional outcomes.

E. Medicines, Medical Supplies and Equipment Management

• Ensure appropriate use and accountability of medicines, therapeutic feeds, medical consumables and equipment.
• Monitor availability of essential medicines, emergency drugs, therapeutic feeds and other clinical supplies.
• Identify and report stock shortages, expiries and potential stockouts to the supervisor and pharmacy team.
• Ensure proper storage, handling and use of medicines and medical equipment.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of medicines and therapeutic products used in patient care.
• Ensure that SC/IPD and OPD clinical equipment is functional and appropriately maintained.

F. Reporting, Monitoring and Accountability

• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation, including patient files, admission and discharge records, referral forms and OPD registers.
• Compile and submit daily, weekly and monthly clinical service statistics as required.
• Monitor and report SC/IPD performance indicators, including admissions, discharges, recovery, default, mortality and referral rates.
• Ensure accurate reporting of OPD consultations disaggregated by age, sex and other required categories.
• Participate in routine programme review meetings, clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Report immediately any suspected disease outbreaks, unusual morbidity or mortality trends and other public health emergencies.
• Uphold IRC accountability standards, including beneficiary feedback mechanisms, safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and protection from harm.

3. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in clinical medicine, Clinical Medicine and Public Health or an equivalent recognized clinical qualification.
• Valid professional registration and practicing license from the relevant South Sudanese regulatory authority.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant clinical experience in a recognized hospital, PHCC or humanitarian healthcare setting.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complicated SAM and other pediatric medical conditions.
• Practical experience working in a Stabilization Centre, inpatient pediatric unit or emergency department is highly desirable.
• Experience providing general OPD consultations and managing common medical and emergency conditions.
• Experience working with refugees, displaced populations and vulnerable communities is an added advantage.
• Previous experience with an international NGO or humanitarian organization is desirable.

4. IRC CORE VALUES AND COMMITMENTS

The post holder is expected to demonstrate commitment to the IRC's mission, values and principles, including:

Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of professional and personal conduct.

Service: Delivering quality, compassionate and respectful healthcare to all beneficiaries.

Accountability: Being accountable to clients, colleagues and the organization.

Equality: Promoting equal access to healthcare without discrimination.

Safeguarding: Adhering to IRC safeguarding policies, PSEA, child safeguarding and prevention of harassment, exploitation and abuse.

This Position is Strictly for the South Sudanese National only.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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