Lao People's Democratic Republic (the): Medical Director

Friends Without a Border (Friends) is a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare to the undeserved children of Southeast Asia. See www.fwab.org.

In February 2015, Friends opened Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) in Luang Prabang, Laos, in partnership with Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital (LPPH). LFHC will serve as the Pediatric Department of LPPH. Its services currently include an Outpatient department, an HIV program, Homecare programs, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, some rehabilitation services as well as inpatient beds. The 24/7 Emergency Department will open at the end of November along with additional inpatient beds, and 2 High Observation /ICU beds. Early in 2016, LFHC will start the surgical/Operating Theatre program and finally a newborn unit/NICU. These programs will target the underserved population of Luang Prabang Province. As a teaching hospital LFHC will also train Lao physicians, nurses, technicians, and community healthcare workers.

Position Summary

The Medical Director’s (MD) role will focus on three areas – direct patient care, medical quality of care, and occupational health of LFHC staff.

These activities will include but are not limited to:

• Coordination of medical departmental activities
• Recruitment and management of medical personnel (Lao and expatriate doctors)
• Ensuring medical coverage by both Laos physicians and expatriate mentors
• Orientation of and assistance to volunteer/employed physicians in providing quality compassionate care as appropriate to level of physician (residents, fellows, faculty)

• Participation as a member of the leadership team and working with the Executive Director to

• review significant incidents including morbidity and mortality reviews

• initiate and supervise appropriate quality improvement projects, and

• develop medical policies and procedures

• Coordination of the occupational health program for all LFHC staff including immunizations and testing as appropriate with referral to local Laos health resources when required

• Collaboration with the Nursing Director to ensure a clinical team approach to learning as well as patient care provision

• Provide medical direction and assistance in design and implementation of the Community Outreach Programs to the District Hospitals and Health Centers throughout Luang Prabang Province.

• Provide clinical care in inpatient, emergency and outpatient areas as needed

• Supervise the paramedical teams (pharmacy, radiology, laboratory and physiology)

• Be part of the decision making in the development of the electronic medical record system

The position requires a minimum 1 to 2 year commitment (prefer 3 years with possible extensions) to live and work in Luang Prabang, one of the most beautiful and pleasant towns in Southeast Asia.

Qualifications

• Licensed pediatrician or MD with extensive current pediatric clinical experience including acute care and emergency skills

• International experience in providing pediatric medical care

• Knowledge of Laotian people and culture (or of Southeast Asia) preferred

• Ability to interact with people from various countries and backgrounds with tact and diplomacy

• Demonstrated leadership with strong organizational and human resource management skills

• Commitment to personally providing compassionate and nurturing care to our patients and families, while achieving the strategic and operational goals of LFHC Previous administrative experience in a medical director role preferred

Salary and Benefits

Housing allowance; travel allowance; and salary competitive for international low resource settings and commensurate with experience and qualifications

Application
Please email a cover letter and resume to: chandaruck.lfhc@gmail.com with the subject “Medical Director.” Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviewing.