Field Opportunity in Tanzania for Clinically Minded, with Initiatives, Inc. for 2 to 3 months, January – March 2014, apply by Dec 13.
Initiatives Inc., a small women-owned, Boston-based, business founded in 1987, is committed to improving access to quality primary health care for people in underserved communities. Their technical and management support enables organizations and communities to link, coordinate and deliver health services with the goal of providing solutions for better health. Their key areas of focus include Organizational Development, Human Resources for Health, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, Community Involvement and Operations Research and M&E.
Project Background
Initiatives is assisting the Kibong’oto Infectious Disease Hospital (largely treating TB) in Moshi, Tanzania to improve hospital management and care. A recent capacity assessment and discussions with Kibong’oto leadership led to the identification of gaps in the availability of written performance and practice standards for clinical staff as an area needing improvement. Initiatives is also assisting Kibong’oto to develop quality management systems and clinical standards, essential building blocks in the successful implementation of their hospital wide quality management program.
An important activity in 2014 is the development of nursing practice standards and guidelines for the hospital wards. This initial work with the nursing department will also establish a framework and methodology that will be applied to the development of standards of practice for the pharmacy department. The Boston-based desk work will begin in December followed by a consultancy visit to Tanzania, to further the work with the Kibong’oto Hospital task force. Ongoing support will be maintained via internet and telephone exchanges.
Ideally the student would assist with some of the Boston-based work and then go to Tanzania on the consultancy visit and stay afterward for up to 12 weeks, to facilitate the work of the Kibong’oto task force. We expect to schedule the initial visit in January. The Kibong’oto leaders and managers we have worked with are very smart, committed to improving their services, speak English well and are excellent colleagues.
Kibong’oto may be able to identify housing at little or no cost. Although Initiatives is not able to cover travel expenses, for a qualified candidate, a need-based Santander award is a possibility.
TO EXPRESS INTEREST: submit CV, cover letter to Joe Anzalone, via josanz@bu.edu, by Dec 13.
