WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION
The Hospital is very busy and consults many patients per day. You'll get an induction
on your first day/s at the hospital. You'll be introduced to the local staff and
departments and arrangements will be made for your timetable. You'll be involved
in the day-to-day running of the centre, observing the doctors and nurses where
you can help out in simple but practical ways, vastly increasing your own knowledge
and understanding of medical practice.
You may be involved in general nursing duties, such as checking of temperature, blood
pressure,general health care as well as laboratory duties, dispensing of drugs etc.
You'll do each department per week, depending on the duration of your program and,
if you're there long enough, you'll get to cover all departments.
If you plan on specialising in a particular field of medicine, we can try to arrange
to place you in your relevant department, to ensure that you receive maximum experience
in your chosen field.
Your work schedule may vary week by week depending on how busy the hospital is and
where help is need the most at the time that you're there. You'll start work at
about 8.00 a.m. or earlier, depending on the engagement with a doctor, and you'll
usually finish at 4.00 p.m. Break time is at 12:30 for an hour.
IMPORTANT: This project is observation only – by law you cannot
participate in or assist with patient care and/or any other activity which could
put you and/or any other person at risk. However, if you're qualified, you may be
able to assist far more. In order to do this, you would first need to be in possession
of the required qualifications, have the necessary experience to go with your qualifications,
be registered for practising in Ghana, be registered at the medical centre/hospital
and be insured to practise in Ghana. Without these legally required criteria, you
won't be able to participate in any treatment of patients. You will of course be
able watch and comment on the proceedings.
ABOUT THE HOSPITAL:
The hospital you'll most likely work in is fairly new, having been established in
2011. It also operates an NGO that focuses its efforts in 40 communities in the
Okakoi Submetro of Accra. They raise awareness about the prevention and management
of Malaria, TB, HIV and Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
In addition to providing health care services, the hospital is training the next
generation of nurses. They are committed to training them using international standards
in patient care and infection prevention and control as well as teaching them using
a patient-centred approach. Their goal is to be able to invest in health care equipment,
such as kidney dialysis machines that will allow them to serve Ghanaians at home
as opposed to having to send them abroad for treatment.
There are five health care clinics and hospitals under the Group of Companies which
you might get the chance to work at during your placement.
Facilities:
At time of writing, medical services available at the hospital include:
- Antenatal: The hospital has several experienced and compassionate
midwives who get to know their patients well enough to make them feel comfortable
when they come in to give birth. The hospital holds antenatal clinics every Wednesdays
and Fridays from 8:30 am to 4:30pm
- Emergency Care: The Hospital is able to perform emergency care
with qualified doctors and nurses who will be able to take the necessary steps to
stabilize a patient and transfer them if necessary.
- 24 Hour Ambulance Services: The hospital operates two full equipped
ambulances for emergency calls and transfers.
- Laboratory: There is a laboratory which can perform series of pathological
tests such as:
• Serological test
• Microbiological test
• Chemistry test
• Haematological test
- Pharmacy: The pharmacy is open 24/7, dispensing drugs as well as
providing advice on how to take the medications and answering any questions patients
might have.
- Reflexology and Physiotherapy: The hospital currently have one
reflexologist who has more than 10 years of experience. Reflexology is an alternative
medicine that involves providing physical pressure to the feet or palm with specific
thumb, finger and hand techniques.
- Theatre: There are currently has two fully equipped surgery theatres.
The hospital is able to perform general surgeries and orthopaedic surgeon.
Other departments at the hospital include:
- OPD
- USG Scan
- Surgeries
- Internal Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Billing and Coding