JOB SUMMARY: 

As a member of the Medical Team on the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital (FEH) Team, the Staff Nurse is responsible for delivering quality nursing care to patients in the operating, sub-sterile, and recovery rooms on the Flying Eye Hospital and in the local hospitals. She/he also participates in training local health professionals (particularly nurses) in current ophthalmic surgical, pre and postoperative procedures / protocols and patient care. This position requires up to 45 weeks of worldwide travel per year, mostly to developing countries.

REPORTING & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The staff nurse reports to the head nurse and will work closely with flying eye hospital medical personnel (ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists & nurses), visiting volunteer faculty members, and local medical professionals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Deliver quality nursing care (in accordance with the American Nursing Standards as informed by the Association of Operating Room Nurse and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization) and the policies and procedures of the Flying Eye Hospital.
• Assist the Head Nurse in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of nurse training programs.
• Prepare nurse training materials including lectures and practical adult learning tools.
• Assist the Head Nurse with inventory stock control as requested.
• Ensures trainees, program participants, staff and Volunteer Faculty, working in the clinical area, adhere to ORBIS policies and procedures.
• Scrub and circulate for all ophthalmic subspecialty surgical cases as scheduled by the Head Nurse.
• Ensure safe handling and cleaning of surgical instruments and anesthesiology equipment when assigned duties in the sub-sterilization room.
• Provide safe care of pre-operative and post-operative patients on the FEH and assist the anesthesiologist as required when assigned to these areas.
• Actively involve local nurses in all aspects of patient care and maximize opportunities to exchange knowledge and skills with local nurses in all settings both on and off the FEH.
• Participate in local hospital surgeries. This includes bringing the required supplies; completing all required paperwork and ensuring all supplies, files, equipment and instruments are returned to the aircraft.
• Support the Volunteer Faculty during the patient screening process. Coordinate patient-flow; prepare patients for examination, and complete required paperwork.
• Assist the staff ophthalmologist in obtaining consents and explain pre-operative requirements to all selected patients.
• Attend and participate in nursing and FEH staff meetings and in-service training sessions.
• Assist in the daily cleaning, set-up and packing of the aircraft.
• Participate actively in fund raising events and goodwill tours on and off the plane and represent ORBIS at social functions.
• Complete assigned program break time projects as directed by the Head Nurse in a timely fashion.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current RN license or registration and CPR certification. NOTE: British applicants should have ENB 346 qualification.
• Current Pediatric or Adult advanced cardiac life support certification is desirable.
• Successfully completed coursework in ophthalmic nursing, sterilization, anesthetics and recovery or nurse education is highly desirable
• Minimum of 3 years experience in ophthalmic operating rooms and demonstrated familiarity with ophthalmic surgical procedures and patient care.
• Prior experience with adult education in an international medical program setting desirable.
• Up-to-date knowledge and experience in either pre & post-operative patient care, anesthetic nursing, pediatric nursing or instrument cleaning techniques is desirable.
• Prior experience with adult education , preferably in an international medical program setting

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and diplomacy skills: the ability to interact effectively in person and in writing with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail: ability to work productively in an unusual and challenging work environment.
• Team oriented, pro-active, open-minded, and flexible work style.
• High tolerance to stress: ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, constantly changing work environment.
• Patient-centered approach with training programs, patient service delivery, and administrative duties.
• High degree of computer literacy (Windows XP, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and the Internet) and willingness to learn the ORBIS online supply chain management system (medical supply inventory system).
• Ability to travel to developing countries up to 80% of the time. This includes having no significant disqualifying factors that would preclude approval of entry visas in the countries on the flying eye hospital travel schedule.

To apply for this position, please forward your resume and cover letter to HR@orbis.org.