Medical Escorts – Doctors (on call basis subject to need)

Job Description

Under the overall guidance of the Regional Health Assessments Programme (HAP) coordinator, the direct supervision of the Escort focal persons at the regional office or in Qatar the incumbent will provide health assistance to the migrants during all phases of their journey under IOM care, which would include medical escort, operational support, pre-departure health checks and general assistance such as seating, help with meals and attending to personal hygiene.

The Medical Escort is expected to carry out his/her duties in accordance with strictest moral and ethical standards and with due respect for gender and socio-cultural differences of the migrants. The Medical Escort is likewise responsible for having a valid passport (validity of which should be not less than six months remaining). The ME (Medical Escort) should remain flexible and adaptable in the event of any change in plans, as last-minute cancellations or changes to itineraries can occur.

Responsibilities

1. Verify validity of passport, visa and medical license. Ensure that the copy of medical license is prepared for the trip. 

2. Familiarization with the escorted beneficiary(ies) and their medical files, as well as discussion and planning with the IOM medical team in the country of departure or the Regional Office (RO) and with external specialists, as necessary. *Remote consultations with the receiving healthcare provider, IOM HQ or specialists in other IOM country offices may be necessary depending on the situation and are particularly important for severe medical cases.*

3. Ensure that the Medical Information Form (MEDIF) or Medical Information Form for Air Travel (MEDA) has been submitted to the respective airline and their approval received.

4. Examine all aspects of the trip well in advance of departure, such as flight and layover duration, access to medical facilities, and special travel arrangements (e.g. wheelchair, special seating or stretcher, oxygen, ambulance, and others).

5. Become familiarized and sign off on the written Medical Escort Plan (MEP). Ensure that the MEP includes specific instructions and actions to be taken during transit and destination, such as focal persons to be met, communications to be maintained with identified parties, and options in the event of contingencies. The MEP should also specify the frequency and nature of vital signs and other parameters to monitor and document (e.g. oxygen saturation in flight), as well as which interventions to perform and the scope of an interim "fitness to travel" assessment that should be conducted between travel segments, as applicable. If such information is not provided, request clarifications of each point from the IOM case managers.

6. Obtain emergency contact information (for both OPS and MHD staff) for use in transit, at the port of entry (POE) and at the final destination (FD).

7. Check the content of the medical escort’s kit, request additional medication or medical equipment as needed. Maintain a written inventory of supplies used during travel to be submitted to the IOM mission upon return.

8. Ensure that several copies of the Medical Escort forms MH06-B and MH06-D are prepared for the trip, and one set of forms MH06-A and MH06-C.

9. Ensure that a mobile phone with international roaming is available and in good order. Keep open communication channels before departure, in transit (if necessary, in-flight) and upon arrival.

10. Introduce him/herself and brief patients and their families on the MEP prior to travel. Patients should be briefed on what to expect from the ME service, including the responsibilities of an IOM ME towards escorted cases (e.g. escorted patients and their families should be aware that the escort is required to remain in close proximity to the escorted case throughout the journey)

11. Ensure that the escorted individual(s) is/are fit to travel prior to departure. The ME reserves the right to cancel the escorted individual(s) from a flight after evaluating their clinical condition if they are deemed not fit to travel. The cancellation should be done in coordination with the physician in IOM Qatar or the relevant RO. Immediately notify the relevant MHD and Operations staff of any event that may result in a delay/alteration of the plans. 

In transit:

12. Introduce him/herself to airplane cabin staff, briefly explain the ME’s duties and engage their assistance in case of a medical emergency. Provide medical assistance, as well as non-medical support, to other beneficiaries travelling under the auspices of IOM as needed.

13. Follow the MEP, regularly monitor the health status of escorted beneficiary(ies) and other beneficiaries in need of medical assistance. If necessary, provide emergency interventions in coordination with the airline crew, and if available, ground medical team. Record medical notes, observations and interventions in a comprehensive manner, with appropriate frequency and detail.

14. Perform fitness-to travel check before each travel segment.

15. Stay in close proximity to the beneficiary(ies) throughout the journey. Do not leave the beneficiary(ies) unattended without a legitimate reason and for longer than absolutely necessary. 

16. In case of significant deterioration of the beneficiary’s condition that results in travel deviation or a need for special reception arrangements, such as unplanned hospitalization, immediately notify IOM staff in the sending and receiving missions and, if applicable, the transit mission. Stay with the patient until released by the IOM staff in sending or receiving missions, as well as the medical personnel assuming further care of the patient.

Upon arrival:

17. At the end of the itinerary, hand over the escorted patients to a responsible entity. If a planned or emergency hospitalization is required immediately upon arrival or during transit, the handover should only be made to clinical staff at the hospital.

18. Ensure that any un-escorted onward travel connections are completely understood by the passenger, accompanying family members, non-medical escorts, or partner agencies.

19. Upon handover of the beneficiary(ies) to the receiving party, fill in the Migrant Handover Notification Form (MH06-D) and get it signed by the receiving party. Provide one copy to the receiving party and retain the other copy. Release the medical records and a copy of the Observation and Intervention Report (MH06-B) to the beneficiary(ies) or his/her guardian.

20. If any special medical equipment, such as a portable oxygen concentrator (POC), was obtained for the beneficiary’s use during the movement from the POE to the FD, ensure that it is returned, or booked to return, to the IOM POE or an external service provider, as per instructions received before travel or at the POE.

21. Submit the Migrant Handover Notification Form (MH06-D), the Escort Report Forms (MH06-A and B), the Medical Escort Checklist (MH06-C), the medical escort kit and the mobile phone (if provided by IOM) to IOM Jordan within 1 (one) week of return to the duty station, unless agreed otherwise.

22. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Education:

• University Degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with minimum of four years of clinical experience.
• Valid license to practice medicine.
• Valid certification in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or equivalent; 
• Clinical specialty is advantageous: Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Paediatrics, Neurology, Psychiatry, Anaesthesiology, Cardiology or Pulmonology.

Experience & Skills:

• Training or working experience in the areas of Emergency Care, Tuberculosis management, mass immunizations, communicable diseases, laboratory testing or public health is an advantage.
• Previous work experience with an international organization and NGOs or working with refugees or migrants would be an advantage.
• Good technical skills, including in phlebotomy.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and SharePoint.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accuracy and confidentiality in performing responsibilities.
• Willing to accept flexible work schedule.

Languages:

• Fluency in English language is a requirement. Knowledge of Arabic is advantageous.
• Having a Valid Visa/Passport to USA, Canada, Australia, UK or Schengen is an added advantage.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).