Opportunities
The Pilot of Oral Morphine in Zambia’s Hospices
Two New Posts: Project Manager and Palliative Care Nurse
Pain is a problem for more than 85% of hospice patients. The Palliative Care Association of Zambia (PCAZ) and the Ministry of Health are working together to address this. The first step is to pilot the use of oral morphine in hospices over the next two years. PCAZ is recruiting a project manager and a palliative care nurse to lead this important project.
The project is funded by The True Colours Trust: an independent foundation based in the UK.
Project Manager
The project manager will be responsible for the overall management of the pilot, liaison with stakeholders and donors and monitoring and evaluation. S/he will work alongside the palliative care nurse who will provide all the training for the pilot. The project manager is likely to spend 30% of their time in the field.
Main responsibilities:
- Ensure timely implementation and updating of the work plan
- Manage the budget and provide financial and narrative donor reports as required
- Regular liaison with key stakeholders
- Set up M&E systems to ensure the pilot measures and documents the impact of pain relief upon patients
- Work with stakeholders to plan the roll-out of oral morphine upon the successful conclusion of the pilot
Qualifications and experience:
- Bachelors Degree, or equivalent experience
- Four years experience in project management for a national or international agency
- Demonstrated experience in M & E
- Good management skills
- Ability to gain the confidence of a range of national and international stakeholders operating at a senior level
- Ability to facilitate meetings and carry out training
Palliative Care Nurse Trainer
The palliative care nurse will be responsible for all clinical training and community education activities related to the pilot. This includes assessing the clinical skills of hospice staff, providing appropriate training and assessment as well as hands-on mentorship and clinical supervision. The palliative care nurse will spend at least 50% of their time in the field.
Main responsibilities:
- Identify gaps in palliative care practice at the hospices and provide appropriate training; assessment of staff competencies; and, on-site mentorship and clinical supervision for all clinical hospice staff
- Support hospice staff in undertaking morphine estimates, orders and managing stock. Liaise with Ministry of Health when appropriate
- Promote palliative care, the pilot project, oral morphine and its benefits with the hospices’ local community (civil leaders, patients’ families, local residents, law enforcers etc)
- Ensure hospices collect and collate appropriate data as per the M&E plan
Qualifications & Experience
- Diploma/Degree in Nursing with a minimum of 5 years post registration experience
- Post graduate qualification in palliative care
- Experience of working with patients with life-limiting and chronic conditions
- Evidence of working autonomously and as part of a team
- Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of their own clinical practice
- Demonstrated experience of training, with a strong preference for on-site mentorship
- Experience in pain assessment and management
- Understanding of evidence based practice
- Knowledge of management of controlled drugs especially morphine
Applicants for both positions must have:
- An enthusiasm for palliative care, patients and their families
- Good command of the English language
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access & Internet Explorer)
- Ability to work, independently, as well as in a team, to liaise with others and seek advice
Applications:
The full job descriptions and person specification can be obtained from pcaz@pcaz.com.zm by calling +260 211 250 943 or from the website www.pcaz.com.zm
Application is by CV and accompanying letter which should be sent to pcaz@pcaz.com.zm. The letter should outline the skills and experience that the applicant brings to the job taking into account the requirements of the job description and person specification. Names and contact details for two referees must also be provided, making it clear how each is connected to the applicant.
The deadline for applications is Friday 7 August at 1430 hours. Interviews will be held in Lusaka on 22 and 23 September 2009.
PCAZ is committed to equal opportunities and applications will therefore only be judged upon the information requested.
