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
Work to enhance the partner country’s surgical system through mentoring, training, and quality improvement projects at targeted facilities, together in a multidisciplinary team (nurse, anesthetist, surgeon).
Support Director in development and implementation of projects off-ship, working predominantly in partner country teaching hospitals and/or university settings. Projects may start prior to ship deployment and extend past ship departure.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with partner country partners, providers, and government officials. This role could include providing direct patient care, depending on the facility, country and objectives of the project.
A one year commitment is preferred, though qualified applicants may be considered for a shorter service period.
What you will contribute
- Develop, coordinate, and maintain clear lines of communication between partner country partners, hospitals, and ship departments.
- Develop relationships with national partners, healthcare agencies, and other national or international Non-Government Organizations.
- Work alongside mentoring participants from the partner country and establish their learning needs and objectives.
- Establish a working group of hospital leaders and other key stakeholders, capable of influencing change, to support the planning and implementation of contextually and culturally appropriate activities, to improve the quality of surgical and anesthesia care at the facility.
- Support the partner country hospital teams to implement quality improvement projects that lead to sustainable implementation of learning and improved outcomes.
For This Role, You Will Need
- Successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program will be required.
- Keen interest in building nurse capacity in low-resource contexts through development and deployment of training programs.
- Able to lead and manage a diverse team through strong communication, problem-solving, and planning skills.
- Current active medical or nursing license (anesthesiologist preferred, open to nurse anesthetist as well).
- At least 2 years of relevant anesthesia experience including recent work experience.
- Required experience working and/or training in healthcare in resource-limited settings.
- Strongly prefer experience in quality improvement, policy / procedure design and implementation, and change management.
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.