Senior House Officer/ Medical Officer, AKUH(ON) Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University Hospital

Job Purpose

The Senior House Officer/ Medical Officer quality health care to patients and continuously evaluate and improve the quality of care provided by the institution to meet patient treatment goals.

Key responsibilities

• Review and examine patients consistently by performing such duties as taking case histories, conducting physical examinations, and ordering diagnostic laboratory and radiology studies.
• Attend to critical patients in a timely manner.
• When necessary, carry out privileged and potentially life-saving emergency procedures.
• Monitor patients’ progress on a regular basis.
• Initiate discussions with patient and care givers to enable better diagnostic and therapeutic medical care and services.
• Timely initiation of care pathways that are in accordance to the set international guidelines of management of patients with Acute Coronary syndrome (ACS) and Acute stroke.
• Ensure proper handover of patients to the incoming doctor, detailing the patients that need urgent attention
• Educate patients on wellness, prevention and early detection.
• Provide materials, resources and referrals to patients, family members/care givers.
• Educate patients on informed consent, choice of attending physician and right to seek second opinion.
• Timely discussions with relevant consultants/departments to arrive at the best treatment plan at the initial assessment of the patient and when patients become unwell.
• Communicate regularly with the parent team/consultant of the patient especially if the patient decompensates
• Participate in establishing various planning parameters for addressing referral cases received at AKUH.
• Engage nursing staff in ensuring that all treating equipment is functional and available for patient care/treatment.
• Participate in discussions with relevant members of the clinical care team to enable better integration of patient care activities.
• Work closely with members of the clinical care team to reduce errors and waste, improve skillfulness and resource utilization.
• Initiate discussions with consultants and colleagues to enable integration of clinical research activities, shared knowledge, institutional quality improvement and patient wellness activities.
• Participate in all team efforts as departmental needs arise.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.Ch.B)
• Registration by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board
• Accredited certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
• 1 year post internship experience preferably in a busy emergency department. 

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

• Demonstrates competency and dexterity with all equipment utilized in the hospital environment
• Good communication skills
• A good team player
• A learner who demonstrates good study habits
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, compassion and respect for diversity and applies ethical principles appropriately
• Seeks and accepts advice and adheres to deadlines
• Punctual and respects commitments made on rosters, rotas and timetables