Contract SSA VCH SURVEILLANCE OFFICER
Job Description
WHO is inviting applications for
SPECIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (SSA) FOR 12 MONTHS Vila Central Hospital Surveillance Officer To provide Technical Support to Surveillance at VCH, Shefa
The World Health Organization (WHO) as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations system has been providing technical support to the national diseases surveillance system of the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Vanuatu.
The WHO Country Office is recruiting experienced professionals under Special Service Agreement to provide support to the surveillance system at Vila Central Hospital (VCH), Port Vila, Shefa province.
1. Background
Western Pacific region is reaching towards the elimination and control of many priority diseases, to have confidence that we are not missing any cases, effective surveillance system is required, and have to be functional with target achievement of general and specific disease surveillance indicators.
VCH hospital caters 35-45% population of Vanuatu, so establishing a functional and effective surveillance system will not only benefit in picking diseases early but to follow them for outbreak control. Side by side MoH along with technical support of WHO will be working to increase the number of sentinel sites involving all govt and private health facilities and expanding surveillance to community level.
Areas which need to be improved:
- Disease surveillance: weekly syndromic surveillance, notifiable diseases with special focus on outbreak prone diseases, laboratory confirmed cases, Antimicrobial Resistant (AMR) pathogens and adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). Surveillance needs improvement especially in term of timely detection and control, computerizing and real time base reporting.
- Establishing the case-based surveillance to help in achieving the elimination goals for Measles and Rubella and sustain the eradication and elimination of Polio and NNT respectively.
- Support in Invasive Bacterial Diseases, Rota, Congenital Rubella Syndrome surveillance and establishment of any other sentinel surveillance
- Preparedness for the response of outbreak.
In regard to the above, WHO will provide technical support to Vila Central Hospital and the Surveillance, Emergency Response and Research Unit of the MOH in strengthening surveillance system and program at VCH.
2. Purpose/specific objectives of the activity
Under the direct supervision of the Communicable Diseases Officer, World Health Organization, the Medical superintendent of Vila Central hospital, and the guidance from the Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health, the SSAs will provide services in improving the surveillance system including the systematic data collection, analysis and interpretation; help in preparedness for any disease increase or outbreak response as per MoH and WHO guidelines. The VCH Surveillance Officer will work closely with the National Surveillance Unit for notification and reporting.
3. Job description (activities to be carried out)
Ensure conducting all the necessary activities as outlined in the national diseases surveillance guidelines (including syndromic surveillance, notifiable diseases, laboratory-based surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases, AEFI):
- Develop rapport with doctors and nurses and sensitization to notify all cases according to the case definition and inclusion criteria stated in the guidelines.
- Ensure all display materials and guidelines are available at the hospital.
- With the support of MS VCH, nominate focal person for in each ward and units, to streamline information flow.
- Ensure that guidelines, notification and investigation along with lab forms are available at each units
- Ensure with the support of healthcare providers to notify any case fulfilling the case definition for notification and investigation.
- Notify all cases to national surveillance unit using notification reporting system
- Investigate the notified cases using the standard case investigation form
- Ensure collection and storage of adequate specimen from each and every enrolled case that meet the case definition as per the national guideline/SOP
- Transfer the specimen along with necessary data to the Lab for testing in appropriate condition or if required shifting of specimen to lab out the country, follow the SOPs
- Follow up the result and once receive communicate to concerned healthcare providers and patient for further actions.
- Communicate to provincial management (PHM) or National surveillance unit for follow up of cases once released from hospital and for contact tracing and control measures in the community and in case of AEFI causality assessment and corrective measures.
- Ensure all necessary supplies and equipment that for ideal implementation of the program as per the National guideline/SOPs
- Train all necessary healthcare staff for timely detection and investigation as per SOPs
- Coordination of all activities between the clinical and laboratory departments in order to ensure smooth and adequate implementation of all activities
- Coordinate for QC/QA of the laboratory and lab procedures under the guidance of the National Measles/Rubella Laboratory.
Ensure flow of information as follows:
- Regular coordination and take guidance with Surveillance Unit Focal person at MoH and at provinces.
- Ensure timely notification of cases within 24 hours and prompt investigation and sharing with maintaining diseases specific linelisting.
- Standard surveillance indicators must be maintained along with disease linelisting
- Weekly Disease Surveillance Bulletin of VCH
- Weekly share Zero reporting and Hospital based surveillance system along with AEFI linelisting
- Ensure all cases reported in Zero report must match with notification/investigation data.
- Submitting monthly progress report to Surveillance Unit at MoH and MS VCH before the end of the third week of the following quarter.
- Conduct monthly dissemination of performance with VCH MoH and WHO team
- Ensure the presence of well-organized records (Registry logbook, patient files, case investigation form and guidelines) for documentation at both the medical ward and the laboratory for evaluation by MoH
- Actively takes part in quarterly surveillance review.
Any other activities suggested by the Surveillance unit, MS, MoH and WHO Country Liaison Officer Qualification and experiences
Education
Bachelor or nursing qualification in one or more of the following areas: Medicine, Public Health, Clinical Nursing or relevant subject
Experiences
Experience and/or experiences in the field of surveillance or any other public health programs will be an essence. Induction training will be provided
Desirable: At least two years of relevant experience and/or experiences in the field of surveillance programs.
Technical skills and knowledge
Good knowledge in the planning, preparation, implementation and monitoring of disease and VPD surveillance activities. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
6. Medical clearance
The selected SSA will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
7. Details of the proposed position
- Salary for this position will be equivalent to a Public Service scale PS 5.1 on annual salary of VT1,513,100
- Duration of position: 12 months – 1 March 2024 to 29 February 2025.
- The duty station is Vila Central Hospital, Shefa Province.
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