CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief and development nongovernmental organization. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution or natural disaster. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities where it resettles refugees and helps them become self-sufficient. Composed of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, international development experts, health care providers, and educators, the IRC has assisted millions of people around the world since its founding in 1933.

The flash flooding that affected parts of MMC, Jere and Konduga LGA had left two third of the state metropolis with increased needs of emergency lifesaving support. The tertiary health facilities alongside primary health care centers have been adversely affected by the flood, thereby decreasing access to essential primary health and SRH services. This further exposed affected persons to risk of waterborne disease (Cholera) due to poor access to quality drinking water supply, inadequate sanitation facilities and overcrowding in the camp, with increased risk of infectious disease (malaria and other vector-borne diseases). Additionally, the impact of the flood has caused significant mental health issues due to trauma. The IRC is implementing a 6-month NHF flood emergency response grant to be implemented in MMC LGA of Borno state in the following locations namely Bakassi and Gubi IDP camps, Gamboru PHC, Zajeri PHC, Fori PHC, Gwange 2 PHC and Shuwari Danari community and ensure provision of essential health services to flood affected population in MMC/Jere.

The Referral Assistant will work closely with the Snr health officer to ensure that referral support activities of the project are implemented according to the project deliverables across the targeted locations. She/he will directly lead, manage and coordinate the activities of two-way referral system of patients and establish contact with facility-based healthcare workers, health outreach officers, referral paramedics, MoH seconded staff and responsible for implementation of timely in referral and patient safety in our service locations. 

Major Responsibilities:

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

Support to ensure implementation of a focused two-way referral system and patient safety activities within the catchment locations of the supported health facilities.Oversee appropriate use of patient screening, triaging, first aid algorithms and IPC.Ensure effective routine patient movement, laboratory investigation sample collection with samples from neonates, children under 5, and pregnant women (especially the vulnerable groups) in any phase of expansion of new and existing medical care.The Referral Assistant will support the Snr Health Officer- Referral to manage and train facility-based healthcare workers, health outreach staff, referral paramedics, MoH seconded staff on patient safety, strengthening of 2-ways referral and basic life support skills in referral ambulance.Support in Initiation referrals SOPs and ensure adherence to the referral criteria, protocol, SOPs among stakeholders, HWs, paramedics referral personnel, patients and patient relatives.Promote positive behavioral change and patient education.Oversee the follow up of referred patients in terms of their safety, received prescribed expertized management, obtained necessary laboratory investigation and help patients to cope with their activities for daily living while referred and on admission care.Promote and ensure adequate infection prevention and control standards are always maintained in the ambulance vehicle and surrounding in which patient is referred to for further management.Follow up with the activities of health MoH seconded -referral staff to ensure that patient referred to any secondary and tertiary health institution received appropriate care including meal source.Support the Snr health officer to ensure a planned and well forecast medical bills, patient meal plan and timely payment and reimbursement of the referral centers.Keep a good track of all the referral documents.Support Snr health Officer to follow up with the IRC pharmacy store for timely store release of additional medications and medical supplies that facilitate patient care.Support health facilities with information, education, and communication (IEC) materials (billboards, posters, roll-up banners, wall painting, flex banner), registers, printed clinical algorithms, clinical job aids and guidelines booklets/protocols and ensure IEC materials are displayed and put into use needed in patient referral system.Ensure beneficiary participation, feedback, and accountability in all aspects of the project.Ensure accurate and timely reporting of referral activities to the health manager.Ensure proper communication of field-based data tools to the HWs at the supported facilities.Coordinate and follow up with the IRC clinical team in facilitating referral process, provide screening/triage for emergency cases from the camps, mobile clinics and PHCs to the referral centers.Support in conducting regular field visits to ensure successful application of referral system.Ensure proper follow up with the referral centers and timely submission of referral bills to finance.Submit weekly work plans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.Ensure adequate flow of information for all supervisors with constant feedback as may be required.Carry out additional relevant or requested duties as may be required by the supervisor.Perform all other related duties as assigned.Oversee the general referral service system and work closely with the senior health officer, health outreach officers, referral paramedics, HWs at supported health facilities.Motivate good use of referral criteria, first aid, SOPs, screening, triage system and basic life support. 

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Senior Health Officer.Position directly Supervises: MoH seconded referral staff.

Key External Contacts: State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital Maiduguri, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Hospital Management Borad