Job Description:

About the Job

Africa Healthcare Network (AHN) is building the first dialysis chain across East Africa, providing high-quality, life-saving dialysis at an affordable cost. AHN Kenya is looking for a Kidney Supportive Care Nurse (KSC Nurse) to assist in implementing Kidney Supportive Care programming at the clinic and regional level. This role is responsible for providing clinical leadership in KSC and oversight of all patients and families requiring supportive care. The KSC Nurse will focus on managing the supportive and palliative care needs of dialysis patients, attending to symptoms and complications, prioritizing patient and family centered care with effective communication, advanced care planning, shared decision making, grief and bereavement support, and being a liaison with existing Palliative Care supports. The KSC Nurse will also ensure continuity of care and compliance with duties. The role involves developing Supportive and Palliative Care links between clinics, regions, country office, internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead on implementation of evidence based KSC clinical practices, standards, policies and protocols.
• Work with KSC Program Lead, CMO, KSC Regional Nurses, and KSC Clinic Leads to organize, enhance, and implement key KSC program level implementation projects and strategic plans.
• Schedule mandatory visits to all AHN regionally specific centres.
• Work with consulting Nephrologist to ensure advanced care planning and shared decision making is prioritized.
• Support the Nursing, Nutritional and Clinical functions in providing holistic supportive care.
• Ongoing support of current KSC Clinic Leads.
• Lead on initial assessments and onboarding all new patients into the KSC Program.
• Ensuring holistic case management through following care plans and monthly KSC assessments.
• Plan and review of patient supportive care plan.
• Ensure the center activity outputs for KSC related to regular symptom assessment and family meetings are maintained.
• Engage with all staff during in person session and interacting within centre clinical meetings, advocating for KSC.
• Involve in the active clinical teaching of KSC and / or mentoring of Nurses, Clinical Officers, Medical Officers, and Nutritionists.
• Work with KSC Program Lead in recruitment of KSC Clinic Leads and empower/mentor them.
• Active involvement in the AHN Nephrology Fireside Chats.
• Active involvement in propagating research and encouraging junior staff in KSC/Palliative Care.
• Actively involved in organizing for members to take part in national and international conferences with a focus on KSC.
• Ensure compliance with Kenyan nursing regulations.
• Assist to identify and/or implement new and/or changing regulatory requirements.
• Support the positive collaboration and working relationship with AHN and KSC stakeholders.
• Represent AHN as a KSC Nurse in partner hospital activities.
• Support and empower KSC Clinic Leads at the clinic level.
• Work with KSC Program Lead in coordination of regular meetings and trainings.
• Contribute to creating a work environment that is marked with care, honesty, accountability, transparency, and collaboration.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Nursing.
• Higher diploma in Palliative Care.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience in Palliative or Supportive Care, with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership. Any experience in the Healthcare sector or in a fast-paced start-up environment will be an added advantage.
• Dialysis clinical experience, preferred.
• Active nurse practicing license required.
• Experienced practicing nurse with an in-depth understanding of palliative and supportive care in limited resource settings.
• Ability to lead and motivate others, with strong influencing, and negotiation skills.
• The highest level of interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to travel 50-75 %.