Pediatrician

The Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation – Malawi (BCMF-M) is a not-for-profit organization working in partnership with the Malawi government in the health sector. Our mission is to improve the health and lives of children and families with HIV, cancer and blood disorders through high quality, high impact, ethical, state of the art comprehensive care and treatment, training of health professionals and clinical research. We have a vibrant and thriving maternal health program main site at Area 25 Health Centre that ensures prevention/reduction of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and maternal morbidity and mortality.  We are situated within the Kamuzu Central Hospital premises, opposite Kamuzu College of Nursing.

BCMCF-M invites applications from suitably qualified individuals to fill the position of:

Position: Pediatrician

Reports to:     BCMF-M Medical Director and Area 25 Medical Director

Location:        Area 25 Health Centre

PURPOSE OF THE POSTION

Will work as a Consultant Pediatrician caring for neonates and other pediatric patients at the facility. Work closely with the team of consultants at Area 25 Health Centre to develop systems and protocols for the care of neonates and other pediatric patients.  Advise and supervise clinical officers, nurses and other junior medical staff; lead teaching, training and quality improvement projects related to health service delivery. Work under the guidance of the consultants at Area 25 Health in matters relating to the MoH-Baylor partnership.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following;

• Conduct regular thorough history and physical examinations on newborns and other pediatric patients at Area 25 HC
• Assist in the development of a neonatal care unit as well as protocols for this unit
• Work closely with physician, clinician, midwifery and other staff to care for neonates and other pediatric patients at Area 25-HC
• Attend clinics for neonatal and other pediatric patients at Area 25 HC as to be determined by hospital leadership
• Respond to urgent and emergent outpatient department pediatric needs
• Perform one day per week of clinic coverage at the BMCF-M COE or KCH as agreed on with the medical director
• Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests, such as lab work and X-rays, to gather medical information and reach a diagnosis
• Prescribe or administer treatments, such as medications and other therapies
• Advise patients and their families on disease prevention and treatment
• Discuss procedures and test results with patients and their families or guardians
• Track patients’ conditions over time and adjusts treatments as needed
• Work in coordination with the medical director at Area 25 HC, manage other health care providers such as nursing staff and clinical officers and delegate tasks appropriately
• Create and lead the “challenge clinic” for patients with high viral loads, failing second line, on third line etc.
• Oversee the appropriate use of ARV’s in neonatal patients delivered at Area 25 HC
• Work closely with the Medical Director to oversee the complex area 25 Heath Centre patients who are admitted. Perform rounds and follow-up at hospitals to clinically manage patients who have been admitted
• Work well and respectfully with Area 25 MOH staff
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including but not limited to: COs, Nurses, social workers, psychosocial workers, pharmacists, nutritionists, HTS counselors
• Keep abreast of advancements in pediatrics and best practices by attending seminars, conferences, and continuing medical education
• Attend all internal CPD, including journal club, clinical lead forum, provider meetings with clinical case. Leads clinical case and morbidity and mortality discussions
• Develop curricula and deliver interactive continuing education for staff
• Participate in research or scholarly work at discretion of Program Director
• Mentor medical students, interns and residents as needed
• Take a role in supervising international learners, e.g. pediatric residents, fellows, and short-term learners including medical students and residents

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Must possess a Masters in Pediatrics and Child Health or its equivalent
• Possess thorough knowledge of children’s diseases and epidemiology as well as the established examination procedures for infants
• Experience working with neonatal patients
• Experience working with and treating PLHIV
• Experience leading QI projects desirable
• Patience and empathy
• Strong interpersonal communications skills, including capacity to interact positively with other staff members, patients, and families
• Ability to work in high-stress clinical environment and within a multidisciplinary clinical team
• Ability to effectively manage and mentor clinical officers and nurses, including provision of actionable feedback to improve performance
• Must possess excellent teaching skills and the ability to develop curricula and deliver interactive continuing education for staff
• Must be patient and caring and able to foster long term trust relationships with the children and their parents
• Strong Active Listening Skills
• Advanced Problem-Solving Abilities
• Critical Thinking
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong analytical skills; possess the ability to work independently and prioritize quickly and appropriately
• Proficiency in English and Chichewa preferred

Suitably qualified and experienced candidates should address their applications, including a detailed Curriculum Vitae and names of three traceable referees who are not relatives to:

The Executive Director

Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation-Malawi

P/Bag B-397

Lilongwe 3

E-mail:  recruitment@baylor-malawi.org

Closing date for receiving applications is on 3^rd March, 2023. Only shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged.