EMERGENCY is an independent and neutral international organisation founded in 1994 to provide free, high-quality medical and surgical care to victims of war, landmines and poverty.

EMERGENCY promotes a culture of peace, solidarity and respect for human rights. We work in a sustainable way: building healthcare facilities, training local personnel, and conducting search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea.

TYPE OF CONTRACT: fixed term contract (6 months), which includes a monthly salary, travel expenses, board and lodgings, insurance cover (liability, health and accident insurance), a period of paid leave to be taken at the end of the mission.

The paediatric cardiologist is capable to manages autonomously surgical patients with Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND AND ORGANISATION OF WORK

The Paediatric Cardiologist will work as part of a team of specialists – experts or in training – organising and directing the training of the local medical and health care staff, in collaboration with the Medical Coordinator who is in charge of the management and organisation of the project.

Other specialists, experts in the area of Cardiovascular Diseases, are involved in treating patients and conducting research activities.

The Centre has the capacity to carry out up to 5-6 operations per day, as well as managing possible hospital emergencies. The number of specialists working alongside the Resident Physicians and local staff is variable; the workload is distributed in such a way as to guarantee patient care 24/7, with shifts and/or on-call duty including nights and holidays.

DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES

The main duties and responsibilities of the Peadiatric Cardiologist specialist are:

• diagnosis and prescription of the most appropriate care pathway;
• presentation of clinical cases to cardiac surgeon and cardiac anaesthetist colleagues for discussion and evaluation of indications for surgery;
• treatment and management of patients during the pre and post-operative phases, sometimes starting from day 1 (post-op);
• diagnostic procedures (electrocardiography, echocardiography, Cath Lab) during the stay;
• responsibility of operated patients follow-up;
• management and monitoring of anticoagulant therapy, if prescribed;
• (eventual) tutoring of resident doctors;
• clinical research and collection of cases in accordance with the scientific programs of the specialized sector of EMERGENCY Medical Division.

MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING OF LOCAL PERSONNEL

Clinical activities and patient care are always carried out alongside and in collaboration with local personnel, who thus benefit from training in the field. There is also provision for more specific teaching activities, managed by the international specialists, in accordance with the Medical Coordinator of the hospital.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Medical degree, and current professional registration on the medical register of your country of residence;
• specialisation in Cardiology or Diseases of the Cardiovascular System;
• relevant hospital experience in Cardiovascular departments (e.g. Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Cardiac ICU, Cardiac HDU, Coronary Care Unit, Cath Lab);
• echocardiographic and hemodynamic skills are also required.

REQUIRED AVAILABILITY

6 months overseas stay including a period of leave to be taken at the end of the mission in agreement with the coordinator.