Surgeons

Responsibilities

• Organization and performance of surgical programs and procedures. 
• Pre-operative and post-operative surgical care (antibiotic prophylaxis, post-operative pain control, thromboprophylaxis, blood transfusions, etc.).
• Supporting emergency and the ICU.
• Clinical supervision, training and ongoing education of locally hired staff.
• Implementation of MSF medical guidelines.
• Ordering and monitoring consumption of medicines and medical supplies in collaboration with the pharmacist.
• Data collection and statistical analysis, writing regular project reports.

You will likely be on call 24/7 while on assignment as a key advisor in case of complications.

Most surgical procedures in MSF projects are performed by general surgeons, trauma surgeons and gynecologists-obstetricians. However, other surgical specialists are also needed in some MSF projects, especially orthopedists and plastic or pediatric surgeons.

Requirements

• Specialization diploma (completed specialization) in general surgery, pediatric surgery, orthopedics, traumatology or plastic surgery.
• Ability to handle a wide range of medical problems (elective and emergency, obstetrics and gynecology, basic orthopedics, burns, polytrauma).
•  Ability to work with limited material and equipment (e.g. minimal imaging or limited laboratory diagnostics).
• Experience with caesarean section (the ability to perform it independently if necessary).
• Strong knowledge of English.
• Ability to go on first assignment ideally for at least 10 to 12 weeks.
• For traumatologists and plastic surgeons, a shorter period of 6-8 weeks is possible.
• General requirements for all professions also apply.

Desirable

• For some specializations or in some MSF projects, two years of professional experience is required even after completion of medical specialty.
• Previous experience in trauma or war surgery.
• Completion of courses in humanitarian surgery in difficult conditions such as those offered by the UK's Royal College of Surgeons or the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.
• Knowledge of tropical medicine or infectious diseases.
• Training in ALS, PBLS, ATLS.