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Tanzania - Clinical Preceptor
Scope of Work (also available in PDF format)
Country: Tanzania
Placement site: Regional/District Hospital in Shinyanga or Singida Region
Assignment Title: Clinical Preceptor
Assignment Code: TAN-001
Length of assignment: 3 months (full time)
OVERVIEW OF VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENT
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The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Tanzania has set an ambitious goal for national expansion of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment services over the next several years, and looks to expand services to 200 sites supporting a total of 100,000 patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by December 2006. ART was initially provided at the regional hospitals, and then expanded to district hospitals and now to some local health centers. The US government-funded partners have directly supported the treatment of more than three-fourths of Tanzania’s patient population though only working in a quarter of the sites. However, they are now beginning to extend their support to the remaining 75 percent of hospitals and facilities, including those in Shinyanga and Singida regions in the north-central part of Tanzania. Facilities in these regions are accredited to provide ART by the National AIDS Control Program (NACP) and are already receiving ARVs, but they have yet to enroll significant patient populations or have delayed initiating provision of treatment.
Volunteers with appropriate qualifications and experience are being sought to support HIV Care and Treatment Centers. They will be deployed to provide onsite guidance for staff in the CTCs of regional and district hospitals in the Shinyanga and Singida regions, which will include supportive supervision, mentoring, and specific technical assistance.
Potential in-country placement sites:
Singida Regional Hospital
- Staff at site: 5 Medical Officers, 11 Assistant Medical Officers, 9 Clinical Officers and nurses
- District hospitals: Manyoni, Kiomboi, and Singida Rural
- All district hospitals send specimens to regional hospital for CD4 counts
- The hospital infrastructure is in good condition with adequate space for the HIV Care and Treatment Center
- The Regional Medical Officer manages the HIV Care and Treatment Center
Shinyanga Regional Hospital
- Staff at site: 2 Medical Officers, 14 Assistant Medical Officers, 8 Clinical Officers and 27 nursing officers, 52 nurses, 1 pharmacist, and 1 lab technician
- Shinyanga Region has three district hospitals: Kahama, Bariadi, and Bukombe
- All district hospitals send specimens to regional hospital for CD4 counts
- Approximately 350 clients are currently on ARVs in the Regional Hospital
- The hospital infrastructure is in good condition with adequate space for the HIV Care and Treatment Center
- The Regional Medical Officer manages the HIV Care and Treatment Center
Volunteer assignment:
Clinical preceptor to provide training and on-site mentoring for clinic staff
Length of the assignment:
3 months, assuming a full-time work schedule
Name and title of supervisor: TBD
Name and title of counterpart: TBD
Volunteer Qualifications:
Required:
- Licensed medical practitioner
- Minimum of 2 years work experience in providing HIV care and treatment
- Experience providing and monitoring ART in patients
- Experience in providing training and hands-on support in HIV/AIDS care and treatment
- Knowledge of and familiarity with opportunistic infections and treatment (TB in particular)
- Knowledge of STD diagnosis and treatment
Preferred:
- Can work independently with strong leadership skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Previous experience working in a low-resource setting
- Previous experience in working with diverse professionals
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to develop cooperative working relationships
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OBJECTIVE OF THE VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENT
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The objective of the Clinical Preceptor is to provide on-site guidance for staff in the HIV Care and Treatment centers of regional or district hospitals in the Shinyanga and Singida regions. The volunteer will provide training and the latest information on ARV care and treatment, as well as other related HIV issues, while observing national guidelines. Volunteers will be expected to provide training through courses and through mentoring of clinic staff while serving as an expert resource in working on HIV issues on a daily basis in a clinical setting.
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ACTIVITIES OF THE VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENT
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Volunteer responsibilities:
- Prepare workplan/schedule based on the given Scope of Work
- Identify and address gaps in education of clinic staff by providing necessary training and mentoring in collaboration with the Regional Medical Officer, District Medical Officer, HIV Care and Treatment Center manager, and other hospital staff as appropriate
- Be available to clinic staff during regular clinic hours for consultation on cases
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EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENT
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Deliverables
- Organizational assessment of the placement hospital/center
- Needs assessment including an analysis of staff education and training needs
- Regular reports documenting training, consultation, and mentorship provided
- Plan for follow-up with clinic patients
- Final report
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTICIPATING STAKEHOLDERS
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Volunteer
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Complete the scope of work in the timeframe outlined
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Complete Twinning Center’s assessment and monthly monitoring and evaluation reports
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Submit a post-assignment final report and participate in an exit interview
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Adhere to the AIHA Volunteer Standards of Conduct
Placement organization/institution:
- Provide resources necessary for volunteer to carry out assignment successfully
- Identify a placement site for the volunteer to ensure sustainability of volunteer activities
- Submit performance assessment reports on the volunteer to the Twinning Center
AIHA Twinning Center:
- Conduct pre-assignment orientation and training for volunteer and placement site staff
- Provide volunteer with safe housing, monthly living allowance, medical evacuation coverage, and travel-related costs to and from placement site
- Provide ongoing support of volunteer as needed
To apply for this position, please complete the VHC Application Form.
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