Organization: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Job Requisition ID: JR00003034
Location: Gusau, Zamfara State
Employment Type: Full-time
Application Closing Date: 25th April, 2026
THE ROLE OVERVIEW
The IRC is seeking a disciplined and clinically experienced Referral Officer to lead the patient transfer and safety systems in Zamfara. Reporting to the Health Manager, you will be the primary coordinator for the two-way referral system, ensuring that neonates, children under five, and pregnant women receive timely, expert care when moving from primary facilities to secondary or tertiary institutions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Clinical Coordination & Patient Safety
- Triage & Screening: Oversee the appropriate use of patient screening, triaging, and first aid algorithms.
- Emergency Transfers: Lead the implementation of a focused two-way referral system, ensuring adherence to SOPs and Basic Life Support (BLS) protocols in ambulances.
- Specialized Follow-up: Monitor referred patients to ensure they receive prescribed management, laboratory investigations, and appropriate clinical care (including meal plans) at referral centers.
2. Technical Quality & Capacity Building
- Staff Training: Train facility-based healthcare workers, outreach staff, and paramedics on patient safety, IPC (Infection Prevention and Control) standards, and clinical job aids.
- Infection Control: Ensure that ambulances and surrounding environments maintain rigorous IPC standards during patient transport.
- Resource Management: Coordinate with the IRC Pharmacy for medication release and manage medical bills and reimbursements for referral centers.
3. Monitoring, Reporting & Learning
- Data Integrity: Compile weekly and monthly statistical reports on patient outcomes, morbidity, and mortality trends.
- Mortality Reviews: Lead mortality review meetings with referral centers and mobile clinics to identify areas for system improvement.
- Accountability: Ensure beneficiary feedback and participation are integrated into the referral project.
CANDIDATE SPECIFICATIONS
Education & Professional Status
- Essential: Registered Nurse (RN) with a valid practicing license and a strong professional health background.
- Profile: A mature professional with high discipline, capable of working independently under the high-stress conditions of a humanitarian crisis.
Experience & Skills
- Leadership: At least 3 years of experience in managing and implementing health programs, with a proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.
- Specialization: Previous experience in referral services or outbreak response interventions is a major advantage.
- Context: Demonstrated ability to work with displaced communities and diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds in Northern Nigeria.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and qualified candidates should apply via the IRC Careers portal using the link below.
The IRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value professional discipline and moral integrity.
Success Blueprint: IRC Referral Officer (Zamfara)
The Referral Officer (JR00003034) role is about more than just moving patients; it is about managing the continuum of care. To stand out in your application, focus on these three pillars:
1. Clinical Excellence (The “RN” Advantage)
This is a role for a Registered Nurse who understands emergency medicine.
- The Task: You must be the expert on triaging and “Basic Life Support” (BLS).
- Pro-Tip: In your CV, highlight your experience with IPC (Infection Prevention and Control) and emergency algorithms. If you have managed neonates or high-risk pregnancies in a referral context, make this your primary selling point.
2. Operational Accountability (The “Billings” Factor)
A unique part of this job is managing medical bills and meal plans for referred patients.
- The Challenge: Referral systems often fail because of paperwork and payment delays.
- Success Factor: Show that you are highly organized. Mention your experience in keeping track of clinical documents and ensuring timely reimbursements. The IRC needs someone who ensures a patient isn’t just “sent” but “managed” financially and logistically.
3. Data-Driven Leadership
The IRC relies on Morbidity and Mortality trends to make life-saving decisions.
- The Deliverable: You will lead mortality review meetings.
- Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you analyze health indicators to trigger “prompt actions.” If you have previous experience in outbreak response (e.g., Cholera or Lassa fever), emphasize how you used data to coordinate emergency transfers.
4. Navigating the Zamfara Context
Zamfara presents unique security and cultural challenges.
- Cultural Competence: Working with displaced communities requires sensitivity. Highlight your ability to communicate behavioral changes and provide patient education in a way that respects local ethnic backgrounds.
- Stress Management: The job description mentions working “under stress.” Be ready to provide an example of a time you managed a clinical crisis calmly and effectively.
5. Application Checklist
- [ ] License Check: Ensure your Nursing license is up to date and clearly stated.
- [ ] Technical Keywords: Include “SOPs,” “BLS,” “Triage,” “IPC,” and “Clinical Algorithms” in your CV.
- [ ] Language: While the ad requires clear English, mentioning your proficiency in local languages spoken in Zamfara is a major advantage.
You are the link between survival and specialized care. Apply with clinical precision.