Description

Job Description

J Ob T Itle

Community Health Officer (X2)

Work Location:

KGH/MCOE , Koidu

Department

Clinical

Report To

OBGYN Lead

Requisition No

4727

Line Management

Nil

Position Overview

The Community Health Officer (CHO) will serve as a frontline neonatal clinician on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team, supporting the delivery of safe, evidence-based care for newborns. He/she will work under the clinical supervision of a neonatologist/ paediatrician and follow established neonatal protocols to assess, stabilise , and manage neonates.

The role aims to ensure continuous neonatal care, early recognition of complications, appropriate escalation, and adherence to infection prevention and clinical safety standards.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Clinical care of N eonates
  
  

The post holder will conduct initial clinical assessments of all triaged neonates, perform admission workups, and participate in routine daily ward rounds, with appropriate documentation of findings. He/she will monitor and manage common neonatal conditions, including neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia, prematurity and low birth weight, neonatal jaundice, hypoglycaemia , respiratory distress, and feeding difficulties, using approved NICU protocols. The officer will order relevant investigations and initiate treatment; prescribe medications within the limits of approved standing orders; provide basic neonatal resuscitation when required at delivery or admission; and initiate stabilisation for critically ill neonates pending physician review or referral.

• Clinical documentation and data
  
  

The Community Health Officer will maintain complete and accurate patient records, ensuring proper documentation of admission notes, daily progress notes, treatment plans, and all procedures performed. He/she will also contribute to clinical audit processes and participate in quality improvement activities to strengthen the safety and effectiveness of neonatal care services.

• Escalation of care
  
  

He/she will promptly escalate any abnormal clinical conditions in care to the appropriate medical officers or neonatologists/ paediatricians . When necessary, the officer will facilitate referral to higher-level centres and assist in stabilising the neonate before transfer to ensure safe continuity of care.

• Procedural skills
  
  

The CHO will be expected to competently perform or assist with essential neonatal procedures, including neonatal resuscitation and intravenous cannulation.

• Infection Prevention and Control
  
  

The post holder will strictly adhere to NICU infection prevention and control protocols and maintain aseptic technique during all clinical procedures. The officer will ensure compliance with key infection control practices, including proper hand hygiene and isolation procedures. In addition, the officer will participate in infection surveillance activities to support the prevention and monitoring of healthcare-associated infections within the unit.

Education And Work Experience Requirements

• Required qualification
  
  

Essential

• A Diploma or Degree in Community Health.
• A Valid professional registration with the relevant regulatory body.
• Certification in Basic Neonatal Resuscitation
  
  

Desirable : Additional training in: Newborn care, Emergency care, and Infection prevention and control.

• Required competencies
  
  

Clinical Skills

• Neonatal assessment
• Recognition of neonatal emergencies
• Neonatal resuscitation
• Infection prevention
  
  

Professional Skills

• Team collaboration
• Accurate documentation
• Good communication skills
• Ethical patient care
  
  

Organisation Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is a global health and social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally to those who need it most. We currently work in 11 countries, including Sierra Leone , where we strive to ease suffering by placing patients at the center of all care, bringing the benefits of modern medicine to all. In Sierra Leone, PIH is committed to strengthening long-term health system in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, and a commitment to advancing health equity . Partners In Health has built the Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) as an expansion of the Koidu Government Hospital in Kono district to r ais e the standard of care for mothers and newborns in Sierra Leone . A cutting-edge facility, the MCOE expands the campus of Koidu Government Hospital, dramatically increasing the number of beds, services, and facilities available to mothers and babies. By introducing new technology, investing in training for health care workers, and offering a preferential option for the poor , this cutting-edge facility will als o prove what is possible as a model for care across the continent and beyond.

Misconduct Disclosure

Partners In Health Sierra Leone is dedicated to preventing unwanted behavio r in the workplace, including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, financial misconduct, and ensuring the welfare of those we serve. We expect all staff, consultants, contractors, vendors, and volunteers to uphold these values as outlined in our code of conduct.

The successful candidate will receive appropriate trainin g and must adhere to the organis ation’s safeguarding policies. Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory references and screening checks, which may include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

As a participant in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, we request information from previous employers about any instances of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment. Additionally, Partners In Health Sierra Leone will share records of such misconduct with other agencies upon staff departure, ensuring transparency and accountability. By applying, candidates acknowledge and agree to these recruitment procedures

Method of application

Interested candidates are required to apply through our website: www.pih.org/employment . In your application, please ensure to include names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees not later than 12:00pm GMT (Midnight) on Friday, April 10 th , 2026.