Project Profile
The capacity to deliver high-quality critical care in Lesotho is significantly limited. Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in district hospitals are poorly equipped and lacking mechanical ventilation capabilities. To address this gap; Partners In Health-Lesotho (PIHL), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a preferential option for the poor in healthcare, supporting more than 70 health centres across four of Lesotho’s 10 districts; has committed to developing capacity for high-quality critical care at Botsabelo Hospital by building a 4 bed fully functioning ICU. In addition, with funding from Unitaid, PIHL is launching Building Reliable Integrated and Next Generation Oxygen Services (BRING O2) to accelerate access to safe, reliable, and quality oxygen Lesotho. Through BRING O2, PIHL will support the Ministry of Health (MoH) to build and maintain oxygen infrastructure, develop national protocols and guidelines, and strengthen capacity of healthcare workers. Taking these crucial next steps to invest in, and build up, critical care and oxygen capacity will help save the lives of the patients we service and provide an exemplar for Lesotho health system reform.
Position Overview
PIHL seeks an experience critical care physician leader to work in close collaboration with MoH and PIHL colleagues to coordinate the implementation of high-quality critical care and hypoxemia treatment. The Critical Care Specialist will be accountable for several BRING O2 deliverables, consult on various additional critical care projects, and serve as a role model and mentor to Botsabelo clinicians as part of the goal of implementing policies and procedures to establish a precedent for the highest possible standards of critical care.
Job Description
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Accountability for deliverables under BRING O2:
- Lead the implementation of initial and follow-up advanced trainings for 100 clinicians on medical oxygen
- Lead the development and implementation of training on pulse oximeters in Lesotho
- Provide ongoing supportive supervision and mentorship to clinical staff at target facilities
- Lead the formalization of the national clinical oxygen curriculum in collaboration with organizational partners
- Lead the development of additional national training materials related to oxygen and critical care as needed
- Lead the development of national protocols and guidelines on the use of oxygen
- Assist in developing a policy and strategy for medical oxygen availability nationwide
Technical assistance for additional deliverables under BRING O2, including, but not limited to:
- Provide enhanced technical assistance to the MOH at central and regional levels to facilitate long-term oxygen supply and maintenance
- Develop and support transportation of hub-spoke plan for Botsabelo Hospital in Lesotho to district and regional facilities
- PIHL participation in the National Oxygen Technical Task Forces
Clinical & training
- Provide direct clinical care to patients in the Botsabelo ICU
- Provide direct mentorship to MOH ICU staff on critical care at regional hospitals (Mafeteng and Motebang) one to two days per week.
- Accompany Botsabelo ICU clinical staff to model evidence-based practice for complex patients requiring ICU level care
- Model interdisciplinary care, working closely with nurses and other cadres to establish care plans for critical patients
- Provide mentorship and supervision for the Botsabelo ICU staff
- Initiate and supervise critical care training and quality improvement initiatives at Botsabelo Hospital
- Develop and lead training sessions for local clinicians.
Administrative & leadership
- Work with leadership from PIHL, BRING O2, and Lesotho MoH to determine clinical (e.g. protocol/guideline) and training needs for critical care and oxygen delivery
- Assist development and implementation of protocols and policies for PIHL and MoH in collaboration with partner organisations.
- Report on BRING O2 progress and deliverables to PIHL, MoH, and BRING O2 leadership as well as other partners/stakeholders
- Support BRING O2 staff by providing information and documentation as necessary to ensure relevant monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting are completed and submitted in a timely manner.
- Service as a liaison between PIHL and Lesotho MoH on matters related to critical care and oxygen, under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director.
- Provide additional accompaniment to MoH in support of national critical care objectives on an as needed basis
- Demonstrate leadership skills in problem solving, decision-making, priority setting, and effective delegation and communication
Essential Skills & Qualifications
- Medical degree from fully accredited institution in country of origin.
- Active medical license in good standing from accrediting body in country of origin.
- Postgraduate training in critical care and five years of experience working in an intensive care unit.
- Expertise in management of hypoxemic patients and use of oxygen delivery systems in varying contexts.
- Experience managing staff.
- Demonstrated ability for teaching, training, and mentorship.
- Experience organizing and leading clinical trainings.
- Demonstrated success in leadership roles on funded projects, including accountability for completion of deliverables and grant reporting.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Ability to produce documents in English (e.g. reports, grants, training materials) on a deadline
- Ability to review scientific literature and best practices to write context-appropriate clinical guidance in English.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook)
- Personal and professional commitment to the mission and goals of PIHL and the long-term development of critical care and oxygen therapy in Lesotho
- Effective communication and leadership skills, including the demonstrated ability to work respectfully, productively and with humility.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with airway management.
- Experience with mechanical ventilation management.
- Experience leading quality improvement efforts related to critical care services and/or oxygen delivery.
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Proficiency in writing and spoken Sesotho.