Critical Care Nurse Specialist

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT@ 

Partners in Health (PIH)

POSITION: CRITICAL CARE NURSE SPECIALIST 

Location: Neno

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

Partners in Health (PIH) is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH has programs in Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kazakhstan and Boston.

PIH began working in Malawi in 2007, where today we support the Ministry of Health (MOH). Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU) has its headquarters in Neno District with operations across the country.

We therefore seek to recruit suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the following positions;

Position: Critical Care Nurse Specialist

Department: Secondary Health Care and Programs

Reports to: Secondary Health Care & Programs Director

Second Line Reporting: Chief Medical Officer

Commitment: Full Time (Monday-Friday)

Working Hours: Regular Office Hours (40Hrs/Week)

Location: Neno

POSITION SUMMARY

The Critical Care Nurse Specialist is an integral part of the clinical team who works collaboratively to ensure staff nurses consistently deliver high quality, patient-centered care in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), at Neno District Hospital. This position integrates advanced clinical practice, mentorship, education, and quality improvement to ensure high quality, patient-centered care aligned with national nursing standards and Ministry of Health Guidelines

The position will also facilitate a high level of hands on education and clinical care provision as well as provide adequate time for the individual to work on educational projects, curriculum development, and facilitate time to develop and maintain relationships with MOH clinical leadership to promote the PIH model of social medicine in healthcare.

The critical care nurse specialist will also be responsible for promoting evidence-based nursing practice through training staff, facilitating didactic and clinical skills training, and providing bedside mentorship, ensuring that practice standards are continuously met and adhered to.

The role requires strong clinical judgment, technical competence, leadership ability, teaching experience and commitment to equitable, high-quality care in a rural district health system.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Practice

Deliver comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care to critically ill patients in the HDU

Conduct focused and head-to-to-toe assessments with early recognition of deterioration.

Monitor and interpret vital signs and advanced monitoring parameters.

Manage oxygen therapy, ventilators (where available), infusion pumps, and cardiac monitoring equipment.

Provide advanced interventions including airway management, sedation management, hemodynamic monitoring, and infection prevention.

Participate in emergency resuscitation procedures (BLS/ACLS).

Ensure safe medication administration and IV therapy.

Participate in multidisciplinary ward rounds and care planning.

Ensure accurate and timely clinical documentation.

Education & Capacity Building

Provide bedside mentorship and supervision to nurses, intems, and students.

Identify leaming gaps, implement and support individualized development plans.

Lead formal and informal clinical teaching sessions.

Lead orientation programs for newly recruited HDU nurses.

Promote evidence-based practice and critical thinking.

Participate in and/or lead quality improvement initiatives and guideline development.

Quality Improvement & Patient Safety

Lead, promote and participate in quality improvement and safety initiatives.

Participate in morbidity and mortality reviews and critical incident debriefings.

Monitor adherence to clinical standards and protocols and work with departmental leadership to improve clinical quality of care.

Support implementation of early warning systems.

Maintain competency through continuing professional development.

OTHER STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations & Logistics

Ensure availability and functionality of essential HDU and emergency equipment.

Report equipment failures or stock-outs promptly.

Collaborate with biomedical and pharmacy teams to maintain service continuity.

Support optimization of critical care spaces and systems.

Data Management & Reporting

Maintain accurate patient documentation and critical care registers.

Support collection and analysis of quality indicators.

Participate in audits and data-driven improvement initiatives.

Contribute to reporting aligned with district and national priorities.

Professional Practice & Leadership

Demonstrate accountability and professional integrity.

Act as a role model and advocate for patient-centered care.

Maintain professional registration in good standing

Promote a respectful and therapeutic care environment.

EXPECTED COMPETENCIES

Technical Competencies

Advanced patient assessment and clinical reasoning skills.

Competence in resuscitation and critical care procedures.

Proficiency in advanced monitoring and infusion therapy.

Knowledge of National Critical Care nursing standards.

Understanding infection prevention and quality improvement methodologies

Behavioral Competencies

Effective teamwork in high-pressure environments.

Strong problem-solving and rapid decision-making skills.

High level of accountability and reliability.

Personal Attributes

Compassionate and patient centered.

Resilient and adaptable in low-resource settings

Committed to continuous professional development.

Dedicated to health equity and social justice.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

Postgraduate qualification in Critical Care or Emergency Nursing.

Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in ICU, HDU, or emergency nursing Active registration with the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi, or ability to obtain.

Experience in mentorship, CPD facilitation, and nursing leadership.

Experience in classroom and bedside teaching are preferred.

Working experience in rural or low-resource settings preferred.

BENEFITS AND REMUNERATION

An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidates commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Qualified and interested persons should apply strictly to the email address below, enclosing their cover letter; copies of relevant certificates and Curriculum Vitae indicating three names of traceable referees (including direct supervisors) with valid telephone numbers and email. addresses not later than 15th May 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Email: apzurecruitment@pih.org with the title of the position indicated on the subject of the email addressing;

The Director of Human Resources and Administration

Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU)

P.O. Box 56

NENO

NB: Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is is an equal opportunity employer, so, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, tribe, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment.

The ideal candidate must be willing to be based in a rural district and travel regularly to facilities and communities.

Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is committed to safeguarding staff, children and communities with whom we work with. We are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work-including our patients, families and community members -as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and are protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. Therefore, any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks.

The Organisation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to make a payment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact apzuhr@pih.org and speakup@pih.org.