Pediatric Cardiologist at Tenwek Hospital

Job Description: 

• Cardiothoracic surgery is a highly specialized field that requires skilled medical professionals with a high level of commitment and willingness to go the extra mile to give their utmost to ensure the best treatment outcomes. A pediatric cardiologist plays a vital role in assisting with thorough patient evaluation, investigation, admission, assisting procedures, cardiac critical care, post-operative patient care, and follow-ups of cardiothoracic surgical patients.

Responsibilities

• Pre-operative assessment: As a pediatric cardiologist in cardiothoracic surgery, you will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive pre-operative assessment of the patient's medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests, and ruling out any underlying conditions that may impact the surgery and post-operative outcomes in consultation with cardiothoracic surgery fellows and consultants.
• Surgical assistance/procedures: Under appropriate supervision, you are expected to place invasive hemodynamic monitoring lines, like, arterial lines, central venous lines, endotracheal intubation, epidural lines, tube thoracostomy, pericardiocentesis
• During the surgical procedure, you will also work alongside the cardiothoracic surgeon, and cardiothoracic fellow assisting with surgical procedures such as opening the chest, placing drains, and suturing.
• Post-operative care: with adequate on-job training and appropriate backup, you will be responsible for monitoring the patient's recovery and progress, hemodynamic monitoring, inotrope titration, bedside echocardiographic assessment, fluid management, initiation and conducting of CPR, managing pain and medications, and addressing any complications that may arise.
• Patient education: As a medical officer in cardiothoracic surgery, you will educate patients and their families about their condition, treatment options, treatment adherence, and post-operative care instructions and follow-up.
• Collaborating with healthcare professionals: You will work closely with other healthcare professionals, including nurses, anesthesiologists, physiotherapists, colleagues from other departments, and respiratory therapists, to ensure the best possible care for our patients.
• Documentation and record-keeping: You will be responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date medical records, documenting the cardiothoracic surgery patient's progress, and communicating with other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care.
• Research and professional development: You may be involved in ongoing research and professional development activities, on-job training, lectures, and CMEs to stay current with new medical advancements and techniques in cardiothoracic surgery.
• Outreach activities: As a department, we actively engage in RHD screening for early detection and prevention of the progression of this disease, thus we expect you to be an integral part of this activity.
• Response during emergency and mass casualty: you are fully expected to join the Tenwek hospital emergency team in responding to and managing emergencies and mass casualties while on campus at all times when needed.
• In the cardiothoracic surgery department, pre-rounds start at 6:00 am except for Thursdays when lectures start at 6 am instead, you are expected to report to the CICU sharp at the mentioned time. In addition to regular daily working hours clinical activities, you are required to take at least 5 weekday night calls and one-weekend call per month.
• Overall, as a medical officer in cardiothoracic surgery, you will play a critical role in providing excellent care to patients before, during, and after their surgery, working closely with the surgical team and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes

Qualifications & Experience

• Master of Medicine in Cardiothoracic Surgery Or Masters of Medicine degree in Surgery or equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council;
• Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB.) degree or its equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council;
• Certification/ Fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery from a recognized institution;
• Specialist recognition certificate in Cardiothoracic Surgery from the Kenya Medical Practitioners’ and Dentist Council;
• Registration Certificate by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council;
• Valid practicing license in Cardiothoracic Surgery from Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council;
• Professional Indemnity Cover.