House Officer (Community)

NATURE & SCOPE

The House Officer (Community) is responsible for diagnosing and administering general medical treatment to patients in a health facility or through extension services at a clinic, school or clinic mobile or another designated place. Work involves the examination of patients, diagnosing, advising and carrying out necessary treatment in the investigation, eradication, prevention and control of diseases, or referring complicated cases for further professional attention. He/She performs under the general supervision of a professional superior who is available for consultation and is reviewed through observation, consultation and analysis of findings and reports.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

The House Officer (Community):

• Be the first Medical Officer to assess patients to ensure an appropriate management plan is carried out while ordering and receiving appropriate investigations.
• Reviews all patients with Senior Doctors and to adjust management plan accordingly.
• Ensures continuity of care for all patients when appropriate.
• Notify of communicable diseases.
• Performs medical examination of police and suspected police (criminal) cases and write the appropriate report.
• Assists in operating theatre and clinic by performing simple operations and assist in major operations.
• Assess clinical state, make prognosis, order investigations and review them.
• Refers patients for future specialist care or to Social Worker if needed.
• Assess progress, order and perform relevant investigations and review them.
• Assess advisory order and review investigation to provide an immediate management plan.
• Transfer patients to other medical institution when needed.
• Keep up to date notes on all in-patients.
• Reviews post-operative, chronic patients.
• Makes recovery room rounds and reviews clinical state.
• Attend to recovery room emergencies.
• Take blood for investigations.
• Performs electrocardiogram (ECG) tests.
• Performs medical examinations of out-patients; diagnose and make prognoses; write and maintain up-to-date case records and make necessary medical reports.
• Carry out medical examinations and prescribe treatment.
• Refers patients to professional superiors for more detailed attention, as may appear necessary.
• Provides medical attention in an assigned area.
• Perform related work as required by the approved Authority.

KEY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of medicine including the diagnosis of a variety of diseases and injuries.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of preventative medicine.
• Knowledge of Public Health Ordinance and of medical jurisprudence.
• Ability to examine patients, diagnose diseases and to prescribe and administer necessary treatment.
• Ability to examine patients, diagnose diseases and to prescribe and administer necessary treatment.
• Ability to gain confidence and co-operation of patients, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Training as evidenced by the possession of a MBBS from a recognized institution.
• At least two (2) years experience in a Secondary Care Institution.
• Registration as a medical practitioner by the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Not Applicable

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIP

Internal:

• General Manager-Primary Health Care Services
• County Medical Officer of Health
• Primary Care Physicians
• Medical Officer I
• Other Medical Personnel
• Other Heads of Department/Supervisors
• Nursing Personnel
• Other members of the health care team.
• Clerical staff

External:

• Public
• University of the West Indies
• Other Regional Health Authorities
• Private Medical Institutions
• General practitioners in the area