Head Nurse

Organizational Setting

This position is located in the Health Service Unit at FAO Headquarters.

Main Purpose

The FAO Health Service provides preventative and curative occupational health, counselling, and medical services to FAO employees at headquarters and in the field, as well as advice to the Organization on all health related matters. The Head Nurse and three other nurses (one full time and two part time) compose the Nursing Team. The team offers a range of occupational health nursing services mainly divided into medical services (emergency and patients' care, health promotion, travel clinic), supervision and administrative services.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Head Nurse reports to the Chief Health Service. Work is performed autonomously, showing a high degree of initiative, judgment, and responsibility. Supervision received is focused on facilitating service delivery and on meeting client requirements. The incumbent organizes and supervises other nurses in the team and provides relevant guidance and training.

Working Relationships

The Head Nurse maintains a wide range of contacts\: with employees, with doctors and nurses within and outside the organization; with decentralized offices; with medical and vaccines suppliers and manufacturers. He/she works closely with colleagues in the handling of emergency cases and the provision of experienced nursing services.

Key Functions/Results

• Provide and coordinate the delivery of emergency care to employees and, under the guidance of the medical officer(s), make arrangements for treatment or hospitalization in the event of emergencies occurring during working hours;
• Perform every day nursing clinical duties for employees, as authorized by the Medical Officers, and administer routine medication and first aid treatment;
• Supervise the Travel Clinics (official and private travel) and implement all updates on vaccinations, malaria requirements and disease alerts as necessary; administer vaccines and advise employees and their dependents on duty stations;
• Supervise performance of health examinations and testing, e.g. electrocardiograms and vision screening;
• Participate in the design and implementation of emergency protocols for FAO Health Services;
• Participate in developing and implementing training for medical emergencies (Basic Life Support-BLS, Pre-Hospital Trauma, Pediatrics) for employees of the UN Rome-based organizations (FAO, IFAD, WFP, ICCROM and others) and UN Field Security Officers and Advisers;
• Maintain the medical equipment in proper working order;
• Initiate, coordinate and provide health promotion activities (i.e. first aid training, breast cancer/skin cancer/vision screenings), events and presentations for FAO employees at headquarters and in decentralized offices.

• Supervise, coordinate, evaluate and train, the nursing staff;
• Monitor and verify the Health Services' inventory of medications and vaccines, and apply the international literature and guidelines for changes on vaccine schedules and issues, as well as prepare relevant briefs and reports;
• Coordinate and liaise with the nursing staff in WFP and IFAD, and with outside suppliers, for the procurement of medical supplies;
• Recommend improvements to medical systems and processes related to the nursing area of work, maintain a handbook on policies and procedures for nurses;
• Ensure all nursing activities are accurately recorded, maintained and updated in the Health Services' system (Medgate);
• Organize and arrange extended nursing coverage for all conferences, councils, special meetings and summits;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent's work affects the efficiency, effectiveness, accuracy and timeliness of the nursing services provided by the work unit. He/she plays a lead role in the coordination and provision of the nursing support and services for the successful achievement of the unit's mandate.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education\: University degree (B.S. or equivalent), in nursing with national nursing registration and licensing in country of origin. Recognized Certification in Basic Life Support.

Experience\: Five years of relevant experience in practical nursing care of which part, but not all, should be in an in-patient setting.

Languages\: Working knowledge (Level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (Level B) of one of the other official FAO languages

IT Skills\: Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills

• Extensive knowledge of the current nursing practices including medical record keeping and procedures, including policies, rules/regulations
• Thorough knowledge of a corporate computerized administrative systems

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Certification in PHTLS (pre-hospital trauma life support) or ACLS (advanced cardiac life support)
• Certification / Diploma / Degree in Travel Medicine and/or Occupational Health
• Experience in leading and coordinating a team of nurses
• Working knowledge of Italian
• Experience in United Nations and similar international organizations is considered a strong asset.