National Consultancy - COVID-19 UN Clinic Assistant

With increased levels of COVID-19 and confirmed community transmission in Lao PDR, including of the more contagious variant(s), the number of UN personnel and dependents will be exposed to and contract COVID 19 has increased.

As landlocked country with borders closed and COVID-19 positive cases denied access to neighbouring countries for medical evacuation, as well as increased challenges for medical evacuation of non-COVID-19 cases, it is envisioned that air medevac will be required for all cases in a scenario of deterioration in Lao PDR.

With the public health sector already overwhelmed and the unavailability of ICU and higher levels of care in Lao PDR, it is anticipated that asymptomatic to mild cases of COVID-19 can be overseen and treated in home/hotel or other dedicated isolation but that deteriorating cases quickly would require hospital care and medical evacuation.

The clinic assistant will be part of the overall UN clinic / UNCT duty of care under the overall coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator’s office in Lao PDR (RCO).

Under the supervision of UN physician, the tasks and functions of the COVID-19 clinic assistant include the tracking of COVID-19 exposed and positive UN personnel and eligible dependents until they are either

1. cleared of testing/quarantine requirements following COVID-19 exposure; 
2. released from facility isolation after meeting government criteria; or
3. medically evacuated for worsening clinical status. 

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Tasks and functions of the COVID-19 clinic assistant will include administration, liaison, coordination and follow-up with the UN physician, COVID-19 Coordinator, the RC/DO, Heads of Agencies and AFP medevac focal points. The position will entail handling of confidential information and require data privacy wherefore confidentiality IS required. The position will NOT require medical background.  

1. Follow up of COVID-19 exposed personnel and dependents  

• Assist UN Clinic and HoA in contact tracing to identify personnel and dependents who may be categorized as close contacts
• Track all staff and dependents who are confirmed by the UN Clinic to meet criteria for close contacts
• Ensure all close contacts understand testing requirements and the quarantine requirements
• Ensure that the UN personnel receive home quarantine guidelines and understand the requirements and when to notify the clinic
• Tracking all staff and dependents who are referred to Kasemrad for COVID-19 PCR. 
• Ensure for each referral to Kasemrad that finance receives a copy of insurance card (if applicable), referral letter signed by the UN doctor with indication for testing and invoice for PCR testing. 

2. Follow up of COVID-19 confirmed cases 

• Assess home environment of each confirmed case to determine whether criteria for home isolation is met with confirmation by the UN clinic
• If home isolation is not possible, discuss other options for isolation
• Ensure each confirmed case receives self-monitoring record
• Liaise with HoA to ensure every confirmed COVID-19 case receives a pulse oximeter, thermometer, paracetamol, any necessary PPE and other medications recommend by the UN clinic doctor
• Perform internal UN contract tracing and follow up as above
• For any cases identified to require higher level of care by the UN Clinic doctor, assist UN clinic, COVID-19 Coordinator, AFP medevac focal points, RC/DO and positive UN personnel/next of kin with regards to hospital admittance
• For any case identified to require medical evacuation by the UN doctor, assist in coordination with UN clinic, COVID-19 Coordinator, AFP medevac focal points, RC/DO and positive UN personnel/next of kin the medevac team to ensure all necessary documentation is available.  

3. Manage the two Houses rented for purposes of isolation  

• maintain log of occupancy and respond to queries from occupants
• when last occupant leaves, in liaison with UNDP operations officer, ensure deep cleaning through cleaning company, before new occupants arrive
• collect from occupant’s pulse meters and thermometers for cleaning at clinic and reuse
• provide location pin to new occupants and coordinate handover of key
• provide instructions on water management at House 2

Qualifications and experience:

• Proficiently in English and Lao
• Completion of  secondary education
• Use of computer, Microsoft applications
• Strong communication skills
• Medical experience is an asset

Application Process:

Interested candidate should apply by sending an email to Sommay Douangdara, HR Officer at sdouangdara@unicef.org with a copy to Pachouaxong Libouapao, HR Assistant  at plibouapao@unicef.org no later than cob 17 December 2021, by 5 PM quoting “National Consultancy - COVID-19 UN Clinic Assistant ” with:

• Cover Letter
• curriculum vitae (CV)

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.