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Surgeons

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About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients. 

MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.

Surgeons

As an MSF surgeon, you could be called to perform a cesarean section in a temporary tented health facility for displaced people in South Sudan or to perform a highly technical operation on a child disfigured by noma in Nigeria. Surgical work with MSF is incredibly varied.

Responsibilities

As a surgeon working with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), you will prepare and carry out surgery according to priorities and protocols and manage operating room (OR) staff and resources. You will monitor the quality of care and hygiene in the OR.

Surgeons are in charge of patients' pre- and postoperative follow-up and will carry out emergency and, at times, elective surgeries while ensuring protocols are respected and quality standards are met.

Requirements

  • Two years of recent post-residency surgery experience (fellowships count towards this requirement)
  • Experience in emergency surgical situations, including orthopedic, trauma, and obstetric surgery (e.g., Cesarean section, oophorectomy, dilation, and curettage).
  • Experience providing pre-and post-operative care
  • Ability to work under basic conditions, with few resources and a lack of diagnostic equipment (laboratory or X-ray)
  • At least six months of clinical experience within the last two years
  • Experience in managing staff in a multicultural team (supervision and training)
  • Excellent command of English
  • Available to work between 8-12 weeks

Assets

  • Relevant travel or work experience in contexts similar to where MSF works (armed conflicts, disasters, public health emergencies, or situations of healthcare exclusion)
  • Knowledge of French or another language (Arabic, Spanish)
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (especially Excel)

Before you apply

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, it is essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Security and Safety

Because Doctors Without Borders’ purpose is to bring medical assistance to people in distress, the work may occur in settings of active conflict, or in post-conflict environments, in which there are inherent risks, potential dangers, and ongoing threats to safety and security. MSF acknowledges that it is impossible to exclude all risks, but it does its utmost as an organization to mitigate and manage these risks through strict and comprehensive security protocols.

International staff will be fully informed of the risk associated with a potential assignment before accepting a particular posting. Working for MSF is a deeply personal choice; individuals must determine for themselves the level of risk and the circumstances in which they feel comfortable, based on a full and transparent understanding of the possibilities they may face. Once in the assignment, all MSF staff must strictly observe security rules and regulations; failure to do so may result in dismissal.

Terms of Employment

MSF staff are employees with a salary and benefits. 

MSF encourages the completion of multiple assignments. There are numerous opportunities for professional advancement within the organization, spanning medical, non-medical, and coordination roles.

Final Thoughts

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, is it essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Despite such challenges, thousands of people have worked with MSF over the years and found their experiences in the field to be deeply rewarding, even life-changing. More than anything else, being an MSF international worker means acting in solidarity with people facing unimaginable medical challenges. Your presence alongside people in times of need sends a profoundly meaningful and human message: “You are not forgotten."

MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws. We also provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

If you have a disability and require accommodations to use our website for applying for a position, please get in touch with Human Resources at employment.msfusa@newyork.msf.org. We consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.

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