Anaesthesia Consultant

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for employment in the post of Anaesthesia Consultant at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex.

A.    OBJECTIVE AND RELATIONSHIP

• To provide medical care to patients in the Operating Theatre and Critical Care Units.
• To provide medical care to patients in the hospital who require the below mentioned acute medical intervention.
• Emergency situations including airway management.
• Follow up of post-operative surgical patients.
• Acute decompensation of Medical patients
• Any patients with fluid management issues including difficult vascular access.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Acute pain management
• Ensure high quality care to all patients, in a respectful, safe, and compassionate environment.
• Work under the direction of and reports to the Head of the Department (HOD).

B.     MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform the professional duties of an anesthesia consultant in accordance with the delineation of the scope of care and privileges.
• Conduct daily in-patient critical care rounds independently and with the respective Junior Physicians.
• Monitor patients before, during, and after anesthesia and counteract adverse reactions or complications. Monitor a patient’s condition during treatment, procedures, or activities.
• Record the type and amount of anesthesia used and the patient’s condition throughout the procedure.
• Provide and maintain life support measures and airway management and help prepare patients for emergency surgery.
• Determine risk during medical procedures by taking medical histories, examining patients and ordering diagnostic procedures like x-rays and laboratory tests; discuss with healthcare professionals the method and type of anesthetic/medications for analgesia and sedation.
• Use intravenous, local, caudal or spinal methods to administer anesthetic/sedation or pain medications during surgical and other medical procedures.
• Mention date, time, name, and signature against all entries in the medical record.
• Verify the findings & medication orders written by the Junior Physicians.
• Countersign any verbal order given to the Junior Physicians as and when needed.
• Communicate the patient’s condition and treatment plan to the patient, patient’s family and collaborating physicians.
• Instruct the nursing staff about the necessary orders to be carried out.
• Ensure Informed Consent is obtained prior to provision of care.
• Communicates to all relevant parties, including the patient, nursing personnel and junior doctors about the transfer of care to another consultant physician and ensures required documentation in the patient’s chart.
• Prepare the discharge summary.
• Demonstrate a firm involvement in anaesthesia care and performance improvement activities in the operating room. This will include the development and maintenance of appropriate systems and practices to ensure continued safe clinical practice.
• Collaborate with other health professionals to reduce the incidence of medical error and adverse outcomes.
• Share responsibility for data protection arising out of the use of computers and maintain good practices in the handling of confidential information.
• Be accountable for the improvement and compliance with infection control practices.
• Provide medical care and consultation in OR settings, prescribing medication and treatment and referring patients to other specialties if required.
• Ensure that medical documentation and charting is written in a legible and professional manner.
• Supervise the documentation done by Junior consultants and registrars.
• Participate in the development of anesthesia and critical care treatment protocols and guidelines.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with medical colleagues in other specialties and participate in regular clinical meetings and other activities.
• Take responsibility for the professional supervision and development of Anesthesia technicians and Junior doctors within the specialty.
• Prepare medical, police and/or coroner’s reports as required.
• Ensure participation and commitment in the different quality improvement, risk management and patient safety activities in the hospital.
• Contribute to achieving and maintaining key performance indicators for the department.
• Participate in and/or facilitate production of all data/information required to validate delivery of duties and functions and inform the planning and management of service delivery.
• Serve the hospital community by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks and participating in professional organizations.
• Provide on call/ emergency duties as required.
• Perform additional duties as required and assigned by the HOD.

•  Extensive knowledge and understanding of the healthcare industry, including national and international trends in the provision of services.
• Sound verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced ability to collaborate with colleagues and maintain mutual trust and respect with peers and patients.
• Ability to foster effective relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Experience in the implementation of change management within a complex clinical department, including strategic planning skills.
• Great attention to detail with excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to think and act quickly in a stressful environment.
• Advanced knowledge of safety regulations and emergency response skills.

E.     SALARY

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

If submitting via email, please indicate the title of the position which you are applying for in the SUBJECT LINE. Interested persons are invited to submit a letter of application, Curriculum Vitae, along with certified copies of documents of qualifications, plus two (2) recent references via email careers@mhmc.lc and addressed to:

Human Resources Consultant
Millennium Heights Medical Complex
Millennium Highway
Castries, St. Lucia

The deadline to send applications is October 2, 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.