PIMS CODE:
1 x Biomedical Engineer
Vanuatu and Solomon Islands
The Pacific Technical Assistance Mechanism (PACTAM) is managed by Australian Volunteers
International on behalf of the Australian Government through its official aid agency, AusAID.
PACTAM places skilled personnel to work with host organisations in the Pacific to assist them in
meeting their human resources needs and to respond to emerging development priorities.
Australian Volunteers International is an Australian-based non-government development
organisation involved with the provision of technical assistance to developing countries. The
Government of Vanuatu has requested assistance in recruiting and supporting the following
position through PACTAM.
EMPLOYER DETAILS
ORGANISATION:
VANUATU MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH) AS BASE
SOLOMNO ISLANDS MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH) AS
SECONDARY
ORGANISATION PURPOSE, HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES
ORGANISATIONAL
CONTEXT:
HISTORY:
The vision of the MoH is to protect and promote the health of all people
living in Vanuatu by establishing an integrated and decentralised health
system.
Modern surgical and medical specialties require reliable equipment.
The Pacific region faces major challenges in procuring and maintaining
standard biomedical equipment for hospital use, which in turn restricts
the range of surgery that can be safely carried out.
In 2000 a Medical Equipment Maintenance Project (MEMP) was
developed in response to concerns raised by surgical teams involved in
AusAID’s Tertiary Health Project visits about the shortcomings of
biomedical and other hospital equipment in partner countries and in
response to requests from Pacific governments. The project was
conducted in seven Pacific countries (Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Solomon
Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu) between April 2000 and
April 2005.
Support for biomedical equipment maintenance continues with the
placement of three Biomedical Engineers (BME’s) in Polynesia,
Melanesia and Micronesia through Australian Volunteers International.
Each BME will be based in a host country and equipped to travel to a
number of other countries within their group.
The information contained within this Assignment Description was correct at the time of submission.
However, AVI reserves the right to amend it as necessary to reflect changes in our, or our partner
employers circumstances.
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
CONTEXT AND
PURPOSE OF ROLE:
The purpose of this assignment is to improve the management of
biomedical equipment resources in the partner Pacific Island Countries.
1. The Vanuatu and Solomon Islands BME will be based at Vila
Central Hospital. There will be a Maintenance Manager as a
designated counterpart to this role. Currently there are five (5)
other PACTAM deployees working at the hospital. The BME
will be required to travel to provincial centres on other islands.
They will also be required to travel to Solomon Islands for a
portion of the assignment.
It is recognised that the capacity to improve the management of
biomedical equipment resources will vary throughout the Pacific Island
Countries, and as such specific work plans will be developed for each
country.
ASSIGNMENT
OBJECTIVES:
1. Adequate medical equipment is accessible and in good
working condition in PICs.
2. Increased capacity for the PICs to manage biomedical
equipment in the three following areas:
• Institutional capacity of PIC Ministries to develop and
implement systems to manage biomedical resources.
• Management and capacity of hospitals to plan, budget,
procure and monitor biomedical resources.
• Technical capacity of biomedical staff/technicians and
other nominated personnel to sustainably manage,
repair and maintain biomedical equipment.
START DATE AND
DURATION:
The assignment will commence from approximately June 2011 until 28
February 2012. Please note that assignment start dates may vary and
that there may be a possibility of extension.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
SUPERVISOR:
The position will report to Hospital Administrator of the designated base
Hospital (Vanuatu) and the Hospital Administrator/DG Health in the
secondary country (Solomon Islands).
STAFF SUPERVISION:
The BEMI deployee will not be required to manage staff directly as this
is a more advisory role. However, in each country they will have a
designated counterpart and this role will be required to provide training
for appropriate nurses, medical staff and maintenance personnel.
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION - PACTAM
WORKING WITH ONE
ANOTHER, NATIONAL
COMMITTEES AND
REGIONAL
INSTITUTIONS:
•
The BEMI deployees will be required to attend a workshop
where they will need to present their findings and outcomes
achieved and inform AVI and AusAID of their work plan moving
forward to the remaining term of their assignment.
•
The BEMI Deployees may be required to report to a Regional
Health Monitoring Unit and the National Health Committees of
their respective countries.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPLOYEE
Objective 1:
• Responsible for general repair and operation of equipment (this
Adequate
could be medical, laboratory, X-Ray or dental equipment where
medical
applicable).
equipment is
• Responsible for maintenance and repair of operating theatre
accessible and in
equipment, including diathermy machine, anesthetic equipment
good working
(including ventilators, monitors), endoscopic camera’s, light source,
condition in PICs.
monitors where applicable.
• Organise a list of uniform equipment for each hospital.
• Responsible for the performance and safety testing and
preventative maintenance of medical, laboratory, X-Ray and dental
equipment where applicable.
• Responsible for ensuring all medical, laboratory, X-Ray and dental
equipment are registered on the Equipment Management System
(EMS) or equivalent database in each country and have been
allocated asset numbers.
Objective 2:
• Develop national guidelines for biomedical equipment
Increased
management.
capacity for the
• Develop national medical equipment procurement guidelines.
PICs to manage
• Develop adequate records maintenance systems relating to the
biomedical
repair maintenance and testing of medical, laboratory, X-ray and
equipment:
dental equipment where applicable.
• Provision of technical in-service training for medical, nursing and
other hospital staff.
• Work with - hospital administrators and management to plan and
budget for biomedical equipment.
• Work with hospital human resource management at respective
hospitals to establish training programs, staff retention plans,
and/or roles with an emphasis on biomedical equipment
maintenance.
• Make recommendations on appropriate training programs for
biomedical equipment maintenance.
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION - PACTAM
Additional
Duties:
•
Write and submit a detailed work-plan to AusAID through AVI,
approximately two months after commencing the assignment
addressing how the assignment objectives will be achieved in the
base country.
•
Write and submit reports to AusAID through AVI, detailing
progress against agreed activities for the base country.
•
Submit a simplified work plan after two (2) weeks of arrival in the
secondary country addressing how the assignment objectives will
be achieved and complete a secondary country assignment report.
•
Write a completion report for each country at the end of the
assignment.
WORKPLACE DETAILS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
HOURS / DAYS OF
EMPLOYMENT:
Approximately 36-40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. On-call duties
may be required on an ad hoc basis.
LEAVE
ENTITLEMENTS:
The deployee will be entitled to annual leave and sick leave entitlements
in accordance with the Public Service Staff Manual (PSSM) of the specific
Pacific Islands.
In addition most Pacific Islands observe a number of public holidays.
SELECTION CRITERIA
• Certificate, Diploma or Degree in biomedical engineering or a related
QUALIFICATIONS:
discipline, or equivalent experience.
SKILLS &
EXPERIENCE:
•
•
•
•
•
•
PERSONAL
ATTRIBUTES:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Demonstrated successful experience working in maintenance and
repair of a wide-range of biomedical equipment and electronics.
(Please indicate if your experience includes medical, laboratory, x-ray,
and/or dental equipment).
Experience in providing training activities for resident medical staff,
medical students, postgraduate nurses, undergraduate nurses,
paramedical staff and biomedical technicians and trainees.
Experience in developing countries, preferably the Pacific, and proven
track record in working with staff from those countries.
Well-developed written and oral communication, interpersonal skills
and cultural sensitivity.
Fluency in English and a Pacific Island language is highly desirable.
Previous experience living and working in a developing country within
the Pacific region or with other small island states.
Commitment to team work, coaching, and mentoring others
Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings
Patience, tolerance and flexibility
Ability to cope with cultural isolation and a different standard of living
A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging
environment
Preparedness to travel extensively to outer islands and other Pacific
Island countries on a regular basis.
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION - PACTAM
REMUNERATION
SALARY /
ALLOWANCES:
ƒ
A supplementary allowance of AUD$86,500 per annum pro rata
will be provided to the deployee by AusAID via Australian
Volunteers International;
ƒ
The deployee and accompanying dependents, where applicable,
will be provided with airfares at the commencement and completion
of the placement, plus medical insurance and emergency
evacuation insurance;
ƒ
The deployee will be provided with return airfares to their secondary
country from their base country;
ƒ
An additional allowance of AUD$7,800 per annum pro rata for a
maximum of two accompanying dependant children under the age
of 21 (total maximum $15,600 per annum pro rata);
ƒ
An establishment allowance of at least AUD$7,200* will be provided
to assist with pre-departure medical, vaccinations, relocation costs,
passport fees and costs of setting up in-country;
ƒ
A return allowance of at least AUD$2,400* to assist with the return
transportation of goods to home and return medical/s will also be
provided;
ƒ
The deployee will be provided with an airfare and logistical costs of
attending a mid-cycle review workshop;
*Allowance will vary depending on whether deployees are single or
accompanied.
ACCOMMODATION:
PROVISION:
The deployee will receive an Accommodation Allowance. We expect
that the deployee will rent a house in their base country and utilise
short-term accommodation options in their secondary country.
UTILITIES:
Utilities (gas, electricity, water and telephone) are at the expense of the
deployee.
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION - PACTAM
APPLICATIONS
This assignment description contains information AVI has obtained from the employer at this
point of time and is subject to change.
Applications are preferred via our on-line application form. If you are applying by email, please
type the position number in the subject line of your message.
In your cover letter, please address the selection criteria outlined in the assignment
description. A current curriculum vitae, including the names and contact details of one
personal and two professional referees and copies of your formal qualifications should also be
attached. Referees will not be contacted without prior consent.
Posted applications should be addressed to:Recruitment Services
Australian Volunteers International
PO Box 350
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Fax: (03) 9419 0976
E-mail: recruit@australianvolunteers.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Deployees and their accompanying family members will take part in a pre-departure briefing
run by Australian Volunteers International in Melbourne.
Additional in-country support will be provided to the employee by the PACTAM Project
Coordinator based in Melbourne. Apart from regular communications, the Project Coordinator
will meet the deployee at least once in their workplace.
Final confirmation of the appointment is subject to:
ƒ
Formal approval from AusAID and the employer
ƒ
Procurement of visa and work permits
ƒ
A satisfactory medical examination
ƒ
A satisfactory criminal record check
Australian Volunteers International is strongly committed to protecting the rights of children. We
adhere to laws in Australia and foreign countries regarding child exploitation and support
Childwise and ECPAT International.
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION - PACTAM