Midwife

Main responsibilities

This position will primarily be located in the MSF Birth Centre, (BC) located in the ground of Rafic Hariri University Hospital, but independant.

This centre is unique in Lebanon in focusing on a midwifery led care model for all acts. The BC will hopefully develop over time to become a place for training external staff, in the midwifery model of care.

Here is a short video about the BC.

The midwife will provide evidence based obstetrical care to pregnant women and their babies,  before, during and after delivery, according to MSF obstetrical and reproductive health protocols, universal hygienic and newborn caring standards and under supervision of the midwife supervisor, in order to ensure a healthy pregnancy and uncomplicated delivery  and avoid post-delivery complications. When necessary, appropriately  manage and complications arising.

Occasional support to teams providing ante-natal care in Burj al Barajneh and Shatila camps.

What is MSF ?

Médecins Sans Frontières/حدود  بلا أطباء (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in 70 countries who are affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

We offer basic healthcare, perform surgery, fight epidemics, rehabilitate and run hospitals and clinics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate nutrition centers, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid. Where necessary, we set up sanitation systems, supply safe drinking water, and distribute relief to assist survival.

Detailed accountabilities

This position requires mainly shift duties (7 am to 7 pm // 7 pm to 7 am)

During assessment in pregnancy, labour, delivery and post-partum

• Provide the women with quality care during all phases of pregnancy, labour, delivery and post-partum period according to MSF protocols.
• Support and monitor the normal progression of labour and use non-medical interventions to help labour progress.
• Conduct normal deliveries and monitor the wellbeing of mother and baby
• Do the immidiate care of the newborn after delivery including resuscitation, physical examination and vaccination
• Initiate early breastfeeding and educate the families about the importans of breastfeeding.
• Support, educate and inform the women and caretakers about the normal process of pregnancy, labour, delivery and post-partum.
• Detect complications if they arise, inform the obstetrician and assist the doctor in treatment of the patient.
• During all patient contact show respect for the dignity, cultural and religious belives.
• Document all aspect of the work accordingly in the patientfile
• Participate in detecting victims of SGBV and assist in the treatment.

Referral of high risk women / newborns

• Consult with the obstetrian/pediatrician/referral nurse when referral is deemed necessary based on criteria. Prepare the patient/newborn accordingly and complete the required documentation.
• Communicate handover with affiliated hospitals and find a place for the patient according to protocol. Administrative work regarding referral to be done.
• Inform family / caretaker accordingly
• Accompany patient / newborn when needed
• Refer for mental health or social worker support when needed.

Participates in the department related pharmacy and medical equipment control and maintenance

• Perform handover of medicines and materials at every shift
• Ensure no materials are removed from the wards withour prior authorisation
• Check that the medical equipment in the department functions properly (suction pump, BP machine pulse oximeter)
• Cleans and disinfects materials after each patient.
• Monitors and records the consumption of medical materials and supplies and report to midwife supervisor about near-ruptures.

Hygiene / aspesis, waste disposal and stock keeping

• Ensure appropriate waste management and  use appropriate containers and bins (sharps, medical waste, domestic waste)
• Follow cleaning and instrument sterilisation procedures
• Respect standard precautions and aspesis during procedures
• Awareness of PEP kit and follow up of AEB procedure

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in collecting needed data for monthly medical reports
• Participate in the regular meetings of the medical team
• Participates in all training delivered  to the department and makes an ongoing effort to maintain and update obstetrical/medical/ paediatric knowledge and skills

Requirements

Mandatory education : Midwifery degree + Registration with the Syndicate of Midwives in Lebanon

Desirable experience : working experience of at least two years in midwife activities related jobs.

Language skills : Arabic (fluent) English (good)

Soft skills :  Compassion & Patient friendliness - Result oriented:  able to follow protocols and achieve the desired results - Teamwork & collaboration - Behavioral flexibility - Commitment to MSF Principles - Service oriented