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Anesthesiologists

Medical

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.

Anesthesiologist

The role of an MSF anesthesiologist is incredibly varied. You might find yourself training local staff in the middle of a refugee camp hospital or managing anesthesia with very basic resources for complex obstetric surgeries, all in the course of a day.

Responsibilities

As an anesthesiologist working with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), your responsibilities will include preparing and administering anesthesia, coordinating, supervising, and training operating room staff, and ensuring the readiness of anesthetic equipment.

In addition, you will oversee patient pre- and post-operative care, participate in data collection and analysis, and report on your findings.

Requirements

  • French language (B2 or above)
  • Compliance with Essential Requirements for all potential candidates
  • Commitment to work internationally for a minimum of 8 to 12 week assignments
  • Previous experience in a low resource setting (priority given to those with experience working in a humanitarian context)
  • Must have an active license
  • Minimum of two years relevant professional experience post anesthesia training
  • At least six months of practical experience within the last two years
  • Experience in pediatrics, obstetrics, and trauma anesthesia
  • Ability to work autonomously with limited materials and resources
  • Ability to work within a diverse team

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

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 danger 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. In the medical, non-medical, and coordination streams, there are many possibilities for professional growth within the organization. 

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 on assignment 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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