Position: Inpatient Therapeutic Program (ITP) Nurse
Organization: The Taimaka Project
Location: Dukku, Deba, and Funakaye LGAs, Gombe State
Salary: 313,150 NGN per month
Duration: 2 Years (Renewable), 3-month probation
About Taimaka
The Taimaka Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through the treatment of acute malnutrition. We innovate to identify cost-effective improvements to Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programming. We are seeking a highly disciplined and compassionate Registered Nurse to provide life-saving care to children with complicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
Key Responsibilities
- Clinical Care: Provide comprehensive nursing care to children in the ITP, including triage, admission, and continuous monitoring of vital signs and appetite tests.
- Treatment Administration: Administer medications, therapeutic feeds (F-75, RUTF), IV fluids, and other treatments strictly following SAM protocols.
- Monitoring: Maintain meticulous records of fluid intake/output and medical progress. Assist Doctors and Pediatricians during rounds.
- Safety & IPC: Ensure 100% compliance with universal hygiene, biohazard, and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards.
- Education: Provide health education to mothers and caregivers regarding the treatment process and nutrition.
Requirements
- Education: Registered Nurse (RN) qualification from a recognized institution (ND/HND or BSc).
- Licensing: Valid practicing license with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
- Experience: 1–2 years of clinical experience, preferably in inpatient or pediatric care.
- Compliance: Demonstrated ability to follow clinical protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) precisely.
- Languages: Spoken fluency in Hausa and English is mandatory.
- Credentials: Completed NYSC or equivalent exemption (Certification required).
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply using the application link below:
Interview Guide: ITP Nurse Candidates
When interviewing for a malnutrition-specific role, focus on protocol adherence and clinical judgment.
Part A: Clinical Knowledge (Malnutrition)
- Q: Can you explain the difference between F-75 and F-100 therapeutic milk?
- Expectation: F-75 is for the stabilization phase (lower calories/sodium to prevent organ overload); F-100 is for the transition/catch-up phase.
- Q: A child with SAM presents with edema and a MUAC of 11.0cm. What is your immediate priority?
- Expectation: Mentioning triage for medical complications (hypoglycemia, hypothermia, dehydration) and checking for “appetite” before admission.
- Q: How do you manage a child who is refusing to take RUTF or F-75?
- Expectation: Mentioning NG-tube protocols as a last resort and patient encouragement techniques.
Part B: Precision & Discipline
- Q: Why is it critical to follow the Taimaka SOPs exactly, even if you have your own way of doing things?
- Expectation: Understanding that standardization is key for data accuracy and patient safety in research-driven NGOs.
- Q: Describe a time you noticed a medical error (even a small one). How did you handle it?
- Expectation: Look for honesty and a commitment to “Infection Prevention and Control” and “Patient Safety.”
Part C: Community & Language
- Scenario (In Hausa): “Explain to a mother who wants to take her child home early (AMA) why the child needs to stay for the full 7 days of stabilization.”
- Expectation: Test for Hausa fluency, empathy, and the ability to simplify complex medical terms.