Physiotherapist 2

International Committee of Red Cross

The Physiotherapist is a full member of the interdisciplinary hospital team which ensures patients-centred care within an ICRC run structure during emergency and non-emergency situations.

S/he is responsible for physiotherapy activities in the hospital in collaboration with the ICRC and MoH medical, surgical and nursing team and hospital management as well as the local MoH physiotherapy team. S/He is responsible for promoting and maintaining the quality of these services and in supporting and training of MoH staff together with and/or the mobile physiotherapist/global hospital physiotherapists.

The Physiotherapist works closely with the SMO and ICRC and MoH surgical team to promote quality physiotherapy initiatives such as early post operative mobilisation, functional movement of post-operative patients, fracture immobilisation, burns care, traction care and pressure area care and any other quality initiative deemed appropriate by the SMO/surgeon in relation to post reconstructive surgical care. S/he is familiar with the ICRC physiotherapy protocols, and in maintaining the ICRC physiotherapy standards. S/he also responsible to coordinate with PRP and other physiotherapy service within the area to support the continuum of care.

S/he works within the guidelines of the ICRC Strategic Plan and, where appropriate find a suitable trainer to work with to continue to train local staff.

Accountabilities & functional responsibilities

• Assess the physiotherapy and physical rehabilitation needs of patients in collaboration with the medical team;
• Develop and implement a program of physiotherapy which is evaluated and amended as appropriate and which is consistent with the surgeon s prescriptions;
• Carry out early physiotherapy and rehabilitation independently in accordance to ICRC standards for fracture (traction and ex.fix), spinal cord injury (SCI), amputation, brain injury, burns (grafts and flaps), soft tissue injury, nerve injury, respiratory cases etc.
• Ensure that Perkins traction management and Plaster of Paris (splints and circular casts) are following existing guidelines and protocols;
• Organize the adequate provision and correct use of physiotherapy supplies and equipment in the ICRC wards, including different types of assistive devices making them available from local or international markets;
• Insure the supervision and coaching and on the job training of the MoH physiotherapists during their duty in the ICRC wards;
• Assess the needs of more specific trainings related to the case-type and to the context (based on the existing PT hospital documents);
• Liaise with the MoH/local physical rehabilitation Unit about all technical related matters;
• Identify, evaluate and map the different and existing rehabilitation actors and relevant post hospital care providers in the context;
• Establish a follow-up and referral mechanism of the patients from and to the post-hospital care providers available in the context, including the prosthetic/orthopedic devices provider when available;
• Participate to the ICRC reporting (e.g. MAD, PT Standards) accordingly;
• Liaise with the ICRC hospital PT group and global hospital PT and participate to the regular skype meetings;
• If time, contribute to the development of guidelines and protocols for hospital physiotherapy.

Desired profile and skills

Certifications / Education required

• Degree in physiotherapy (Bachelor's or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years of university studies) and a valid license to practice.
• Fluent command of English as well as local language(s).
• Computer literacy

Professional Experience required

• 3-5 years' postgraduate experience and up-to-date knowledge.