CONTEXT
The medical department of MSF Belgium (OCB - Operational Center Brussels) plays a strategic role by defining the modalities of implementation of MSF’s medical strategy so that both coherence and quality can be safeguarded. Strategical support is given along the phases of the project cycle. It has a normative role and technical support function regarding implementation and follow-up of the projects. The medical department ensures knowledge transfer to the medical workforce and stimulates research and innovation by challenging current medical practices and scanning of new approaches.
It is composed of multiple specialists based across a network of units worldwide (Belgium, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Luxembourg, and South Africa) and works in close collaboration with operations, other OCB departments and MSF movement. We are also supporting the projects of MSF WACA.
Palliative care is holistic care approach (physical, psychological, social) for patients of any age with serious health-related suffering due to severe illness. Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients, caregivers, and families. Palliative care is one of the five elements of OCB’s strategic Orientations – to provide comprehensive and holistic approach. The objective is to integrate palliative care in MSF projects and in the past few years, OCB has incorporated palliative care in the care of advanced HIV patients, trauma care.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
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Serve as the referent for the area of palliative care
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Provide direct technical support to operations and projects (how to integrate palliative care in projects, ongoing support, and monitoring) – as a priority – for projects with paediatrics and neonatal care services
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Promote and practice having a multidisciplinary approach for palliative care in all levels – within the projects and between different referents in the medical department at the head office
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Lead the development of technical documents/medical tools and training materials in palliative care
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Lead the palliative care circle in OCB and participate and contribute to the intersectional PC platform
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Support and participate in any palliative care community of practice for learning and exchange across projects implementing palliative care and hosting of webinars/ training sessions
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Update, review and validate content of palliative care trainings or palliative modules of other trainings as well as participate and conduct trainings
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Participate and contribute to OCBs medical strategies and strategic orientations