Midwives: Volunteer with CMMB in Kenya

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Are you a Midwife wanting to make a huge difference to women, children and communities in Kenya? Join our team CMMB Team in Kenya! Midwives are invited to join our community health programs to improve the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable.

Volunteer Position: Midwife

Term: 6-12 months

Locations: Mutomo, Kenya

Program Description

CMMB - Healthier Lives Worldwide is an international, faith-based NGO providing long-term, co-operative, medical and development aid to communities affected by poverty and unequal access to healthcare. For over a century, we have worked to strengthen and support communities through healthcare programs and initiatives, the distribution of medicines and medical supplies, and the placement of volunteers.

CMMB’s Children and Mothers Partnerships program (CHAMPS) provides effective support-and life-saving medical care-for pregnant women and newborns in eight communities across Haiti, Kenya, Peru, South Sudan, and Zambia.

CMMB’s Volunteer Program addresses the critical need for professionals in areas that lack sufficient resources for quality preventive and curative health services, especially for women and children. Our Volunteer Program has placed thousands of practitioners around the world to help develop and implement community health interventions, work at local hospitals and health facilities, conduct clinical training for host country counterparts, and deliver essential medicines and supplies. The ultimate goal of CMMB's Volunteer Program is to support our country teams and local healthcare workers by sending volunteers that are dedicated to strengthening local health systems and supporting a pattern of sustainable development.

CMMB in Kenya

Nairobi‐based CMMB Kenya possesses a strong track record of strengthening health systems and providing quality HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support services. CMMB Kenya’s experience in managing U.S. government and private health awards dates back to 2003.

CMMB Kenya programs have built the capacity of local healthcare organizations to tackle not only HIV/AIDS but also other national health challenges. CMMB Kenya has a reputation for locally managed, high-quality HIV care and treatment, with low loss-to-follow-up and low mortality rates among clients. Program areas include HIV prevention, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV - with support from mentor mothers, and voluntary medical male circumcision, as well as HIV counseling and testing, screening for sexually transmitted infections, and behavior change communication. We also help build human resources for health and work to strengthen Kenyan health systems via direct assistance on health management information systems, finance, administration, and technical training for staff.

CMMB’s Children’s and Mothers Partnerships (CHAMPS) initiative works to improve the health of women and children and, through them, their communities. CMMB’s first CHAMPS site in Kenya is in the southeast, in underprivileged Kitui South sub county. The site focuses on increasing access to healthcare services; income‐generating activities such as livestock breeding; water, sanitation, and hygiene activities; and training and retention of community health workers. CMMB collaborates with the community to engage its members and facilitate their understanding of their own health needs, and acts as a convener to mobilize resources and partners.

Placement Site: Mutomo, Kitui, Kenya

The village of Mutomo is located in a semi-arid area of Kenya. Although Mutomo is only about four hours by car from Nairobi, it is a world away. Mutomo is an administrative town for the County of Kitui, which has a population of over one million people. The catchment area for Kitui-South sub-county includes a population of 190,000 people and is served by Our Lady of Lourdes, Mutomo Mission Hospital.

The Mutomo Mission Hospital was founded by the nursing sisters of the Irish Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy in 1964 and has continued to offer quality services in the face of intimidating challenges in staff retention and sustainability. Mutomo Hospital is the only level 4 health facility in Kitui-South and is the referral hospital for 48 Sub-County health facilities. The hospital is well-equipped with out-patient services and an in-patient capacity of over 125 patients. It has the only operating theater and equipped dental unit in the Sub-County and is the only facility offering comprehensive care in a radius of over 70 kilometers. Current functionalities include medical, surgical, pediatric, OB/GYN, and MCH services. The hospital also houses a special area caring for patients with HIV/AIDS and TB. Diagnostic services include a wide range of lab tests, plain X-Ray services, and simple ultrasound scans.

Learn more:
http://mutomohospital.or.ke/
https://cmmb.org/country-office/kenya/

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide primary care for pregnant women.
• Help with delivery of patient’s babies in a hospital setting.
• Educate patients on a variety of topics related to pregnancy including parenthood preparation, labor pain management techniques, and newborn hygiene.
• Support expecting mothers by giving advice on exercises, and medications.
• Ongoing monitoring of patients' health before, during and after birth by taking vitals and ordering necessary diagnostic tests.
• Liaise with physicians to determine a treatment plan.
• Interact with patients and their families by explaining the process, risks, and benefits, provide emotional support if needed.
• Work directly with hospital leadership and clinical staff on health service delivery to diverse patient population.
• Work directly with hospital leadership and clinical staff for capacity building and on-the-job training activities.
• Support the development of staff education in the region, teaching and training on midwifery techniques and practices.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skill Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or associate's degree in nursing or related field
• Proof of completion of accredited midwifery education program
• Certification through American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) or North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)
• Basic Life Support (BSL) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certifications
• Up to do date state licensure
• Knowledge of professional and ethical standard of health care delivery and practice
• Capacity to administer healthcare to patients while dealing with them in a sympathetic and tactful manner
• Ability to work and live with a diverse group of professionals
• Familiarity and interest in global health issues, especially maternal and child health issues
• Familiarity and interest in public and community health or preventative medicine
• Willingness to endure resource-limited working conditions and evening/weekend hours
• International experience or experience working in developing countries is preferred

Benefits & Conditions: Each international volunteer who serves 6 months or longer in the field receives a round-trip ticket to their placement site, housing, a monthly stipend, insurance coverage, storytelling and fundraising training, and the opportunity to contribute to vital community development initiatives for under-served populations while building a longstanding legacy for the community. Volunteers are required to share stories from the field and cover part of the cost of their placement through fundraising.

Interested? Apply Today!

Contact & Application:

Apply online at: https://cmmb.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Email: volunteer@cmmb.org