Anaesthetists - Doctors & Nurses

URGENTLY NEEDED PROFILE

What does an anaesthetist do for Doctors Without Borders?

Anaesthetists are required for an increasing number of surgical projects that Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) manage around the world. In this capacity, you need the flexibility to work with limited resources and face various challenges that may range from trauma patients to women requiring emergency caesarian sections.

In addition to in-theatre work, your responsibility will include pre-operative assessment and resuscitation, and post-operative assistance. You will also be involved in the supervision of local staff working in the recovery room and the wards.

Be prepared for the fact that diagnostic equipment and facilities in the operating theatre will be limited – there may not even be an X-ray machine.

Your work will include organising and carrying out anaesthetic medical activities, according to Doctors Without Borders policies, protocols and universal hygiene standards and in close collaboration with the surgeon and other medical staff, and increasing the knowledge and practical skills of the anesthetic staff through on the job training and knowledge transfer in order to ensure the quality of care provided to patients.

Some responsibilities may include

• Carry out pre-operative consultations evaluating the risks of operating in collaboration with the surgeon, providing the patient with appropriate information and deciding the type of anesthetics to be used, in order to ensure the best conditions prior to the surgery.

• Carry-out all anaesthesia related activities during surgery to ensure safe, adequate anaesthesia:

  • Preparing beforehand the drugs, material, and equipment required.

  • Administering and maintaining anaesthetics following the rules of hygiene and asepsis in force.

  • Monitoring patients throughout the intervention.

Requirements

• Compliance with Essential Criteria

• Valid degree and current license
• At least 2 years of post-residency clinical experience in anaesthesia
• Training and people management experience 
• Experience in paediatrics, obstetrics, and trauma anaesthesia; as well as spinal and dissociation anaesthesia (e.g. Ketamine)
• Willingness to work in unstable environments
• Ability to work with limited technical resources e.g. ventilation equipment
• Availability of 8 - 12 weeks
• Adhere to our Behavioral Commitments and MSF Charter.

Note regarding availability and notice period

• Available at short notice (in emergencies we may need anaesthetists to leave within 24 to 48 hours)
• Due to the emergency nature of many of our projects, anaesthetists are often needed at very short notice. However, for some longer-term projects, it may be possible to confirm a placement well in advance.  If you are genuinely interested to work with us but have concerns regarding the period of notice you may require, we encourage you to apply. Your individual circumstances can be discussed as part of the interview process.