Referral Officer

Job Overview:
The Referral Officer will work closely with the health manager to ensure that referral support activities of the project are implemented according to the project deliverables across the targeted locations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead and support to ensure implementation of a focused two-way referral system and patient safety activities within the catchment locations of the supported health facilities. Oversee appropriate use of patient screening, triaging, first aid algorithms and IPC. Ensure effective routine patient movement, laboratory investigation sample collection with samples from neonates, children under 5, and pregnant women (especially the vulnerable groups) in any phase of expansion of new and existing medical care. Support the health manager to manage and train facility-based healthcare workers, health outreach staff, referral paramedics, MoH seconded staff on patient safety, strengthening of 2-ways referral and basic life support skills in referral ambulance. Initiate referrals SOPs and ensure adherence to the referral criteria, protocol, SOPs among stakeholders, HWs, paramedics referral personnel, patients and patient relatives. Promote positive behavioral change and patient education. Oversee the follow up of referred patients in terms of their safety, received prescribed expertized management, obtained necessary laboratory investigation and help patients to cope with their activities for daily living while referred and on admission care. Promote and ensure adequate infection prevention and control standards are always maintained in the ambulance vehicle and surrounding in which patient is referred to for further management. Follow up with the activities of health MoH seconded -referral staff to ensure that patient referred to any secondary and tertiary health institution received appropriate care including meal source. Support the health manager to ensure a planned and well forecast medical bills, patient meal plan and timely payment and reimbursement of the referral centers. Keep a good track of all the referral documents. Support health manager to follow up with the IRC pharmacy store for timely store release of additional medications and medical supplies that facilitate patient care. Support health facilities with information, education, and communication (IEC) materials (billboards, posters, roll-up banners, wall painting, flex banner), registers, printed clinical algorithms, clinical job aids and guidelines booklets/protocols and ensure IEC materials are displayed and put into use needed in patient referral system. Ensure beneficiary participation, feedback, and accountability in all aspects of the project. Ensure accurate and timely reporting of referral activities to the health manager. Ensure proper communication of field-based data tools to the HWs at the supported facilities. Coordinate and follow up with the IRC clinical team in facilitating referral process, provide screening/triage for emergency cases from the camps, mobile clinics and PHCs to the referral centers. Support in conducting regular field visits to ensure successful application of referral system. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Health professional (Registered Nurse) with strong Health background. A mature person of high professional discipline and moral integrity, able to work independently and under stress as the situation may dictate.

Educational Background:
Registered Nurse

Experience:
At least 3 years’ experience in managing and implementing Health program. Able to lead a team and experience in staff management. Previous experience in referral services is an added advantage. Experience in outbreak response interventions.

Languages:
English, ability to speak local languages (Hausa) is an added advantage.

Additional Notes:
Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Ability to Travel: 30 % of time if applicable.