Description

Position Title:                           Disaster Response Volunteer (MD, RN, NP, LPN, MHPSS, Pharma)

Assignment Type:                     Volunteer; joining the Global Roster pre-qualifies you to be able to deploy with us when we support communities and survivors facing disasters.

Application Requirements:       Resume and completed application questions

About Americares: 

Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster. Each year, Americares reaches 85 countries on average, including the United States, with life-changing health programs, medicine, medical supplies, and emergency aid. Americares is one of the world’s leading nonprofit providers of donated medicine and medical supplies. For more information, visit americares.org.

Americares Values:

We create global community, treating people as they want to be treated.
 
We respond effectively and responsibly, putting plans into practice.
 
We embed ethics and equity in our work and workplace.
 
We are better together; partnership is at our core.
 
We ask and listen, to create sustainable solutions for a healthier tomorrow.
 
We commit to quality, growing and improving to ensure individuals and communities thrive.

About the Americares Global Roster:

Americares maintains a Global Roster, which is comprised of experienced professions all over the world who can be available for short-term emergency deployments. Roster members are generally deployed after an initial rapid assessment is conducted by Americares core staff, but on occasion we may ask Roster members to deploy immediately. Acceptance to the Roster does not guarantee deployment but does qualify members to respond with us for a future response if their qualifications would supplement the objectives of the intervention.

Selected candidates will be required to complete a series of short online trainings on general safety and security and other topics or will be required to demonstrate they have completed same or similar trainings. Periodic trainings will be offered to all candidates on relevant topics. After training and onboarding is complete, Roster members are considered eligible to deploy.

Deployments can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months depending on the needs of the response. Roster members are not compensated for time spent on trainings or other requirements. Competitive deployment compensation will be offered based on the candidate’s skills and experience if a member is requested to deploy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Physicians

Providers include physicians such as general practitioners, emergency care, primary care, OB/GYNs, and pediatricians to provide quality acute and emergency chronic care for the affected population according to internationally acceptable standards. Practitioners should be experienced in areas such as initial trauma care on a mass scale, basic wound, fracture and first aid management, emergency pediatric and obstetric care and/or mental health. Any care provided by the physician during deployment with Americares will be within the Scope of Practice of her/his professional, clinical duties and practice at her/his regular place of work. 

Physicians in the Clinic Lead role will manage all medical team members during the deployment timeframe that provide quality care for the affected population according to internationally acceptable standards. The Clinic Lead will be prepared to manage the emergency project and liaise with local counterparts to ensure a successful operation. While the duties of the Clinic Lead are primarily managerial in nature, as a licensed physician, it is possible that she/he will provide direct care in the field. In such case, any care provided during deployment with Americares will be within the Scope of Practice of her/his professional, clinical duties and practice at her/his regular place of work. 

Nurses

Registered Nurses (RN), Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) provide quality emergency care for the affected population. Practitioners should be experienced in areas such as initial trauma care on a mass scale, basic wound, fracture, and first aid management, emergency pediatric and obstetric care and/or mental health. Any care provided by the nurse during deployment with Americares will be within the Scope of Practice of her/his professional, clinical duties and practice at her/his regular place of work.

MHPSS

Under the supervision of the Medical Lead, the Emergency Response Mental Health and Psycho-social Services Officer position will implement a mental health component to emergency response programming in disaster settings. The Officer will work closely with program team members to assess mental health needs in the community while also meeting the programmatic needs during deployment. 

This can include, but is not limited to:

•  Quickly determine mental health priorities in the impacted community and ensure proper analysis of field situations
• Coordinate with existing mental health partners and build relationships with new partners to expand outreach efforts
• Determine obstacles for a timely and impactful implementation and adapt as needed to meet program objectives
• Prepare curriculum, deliver training to local counterparts and stakeholders that incorporates capacity building, and conduct post-training evaluation
• Develop mental health program strategies that align with government or local authority goals, local customs, Americares policy, health facility capacities, and established needs
• Manage data collection methodology and regular reporting for implemented mental health initiatives

Pharmacists

Under the supervision of the Clinic Lead, the Pharmacist for the Global Roster will work with the Logistics team and Medical team on the ground to manage and maintain the medical supply for Americares’ emergency response projects. Any care or pharmaceutical services provided by the pharmacist during deployment with Americares will be within the Scope of Practice of her/his professional, clinical duties and practice at her/his regular place of work. 

This can include, but is not limited to:

• Act as emergency medical supply representative at the in-country duty station to determine emergency supply needs, standards, and available stock
• Implement supply management tactics based on the facility in use (hospital, clinic, mobile clinic, etc.) and immediate medical needs (vaccination, medication, etc.)
• Consistently review data to ensure that pharmaceuticals procured or donated are in accordance with Americares medical standards and international standards for safety and quality
• Liaise with medical, logistic and program support team members to confirm timely delivery of medical items, concise and accurate documentation and record keeping, and track expirations and quality assurance
• Provide guidance to improve systems and processes for pharmaceuticals management in the field

All Global Roster Members will actively participate in ongoing training (including but not limited to online exercises and on-site/in-person trainings), actively model and contribute to Americares values, work culture and mission, engage in and contribute to team spaces with openness, global competencies, and a growth mindset, and complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

These competencies are required for the role:

Medical degree/training required: Appropriate degree and licensure dependent on role.
At least 3 years of clinical experience
Ability to adapt to the needs of local patients and effectively utilize the limited resources available
Employ independent decision making while also working well with a cohesive medical unit
Works well under pressure and in stressful situations
Extremely organized, flexible, and excellent communication skills
Exceptional bedside manner in stressful situations

Ability to deploy within 24-72 hours of notice and US work authorization is required for this role.