About this role
Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.
About this role
Manage and provide leadership for the nutrition team, including the nutrition day crew. Deliver high quality nutrition care to high-risk pre- & post-operative adult and pediatric surgical patients (particularly those at risk of malnutrition or currently malnourished) throughout the continuum of care. This includes conducting comprehensive assessments, implementing interventions (including enteral feeding), and evaluations, for patients on the ward, in an outpatient setting and the Low Care Unit/ HOPE Center, either on-board or along-side the vessel. Coordinate the hospital menu development and collaborate with the food service department and/or caterers to provide optimal nutrition for patients. Provide nutrition education, in-service, classes or ward education to nurses, day crew and medical staff. When applicable, provide education and training for partner country participants, trainees, and students in Mercy Ships training programs while providing clinical care.
What you will contribute
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Provide clinical support, spiritual leadership and coordinate the day-to-day operation of the nutrition team
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Identify, assess, monitor, and provide safe nutrition interventions for patients with surgically correctable disorders including for infants with feeding difficulties primarily related to cleft lip and palate
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Provide nutritional support for ward patients post-surgery, including enteral feeding for pediatric and adult patients
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Collaborate and coordinate with the Hospital, Outpatient and Preop team leaders as part of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patient care is integrated and effective
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Liaise with the screening team to identify patients at risk of nutritional deficiencies and provide support for assessment days in identifying at risk patients
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Liaise with the Galley team and Low Care Unit/HOPE Center staff in patient menu development, and healthy food preparation
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Develops and implements country specific educational information and materials
For This Role, You Will Need
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Successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program will be required for commitments longer than 12 months
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Credentialed as a Registered Dietician or equivalent in home country
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Minimum two years of experience in a clinical inpatient care setting is required
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Experience working with surgical patients is highly preferred, with additional preference for experience with pediatric or cleft lip/palate patients and in intensive care settings
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and excellent organizational skills
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Knowledge of Hospital procedures, standards, and equipment
The experience of a lifetime is calling.
More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.
At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.
Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.