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
The Ward Nurse Pediatric Team Leader is responsible for coordinating the care of all pediatric surgery patients throughout the course of their care with Mercy Ships. The Team Leader is in charge of the ward on a daily basis and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to plan patient care. Serving alongside professionals from all over the world, the Team Leader builds a strong team of nurses and local day crew translators in order to deliver excellent and compassionate patient care.
What you will contribute
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Oversee the Pediatric Surgery specialty ward and nursing team. Make collaborative decisions regarding patient management with surgeons, hospital physicians, and others
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Serve as a resource to nursing staff and other health care personnel regarding patient care of the pediatric surgery patient. Provide assistance clinically, if required
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Demonstrate cultural sensitivity as a manager of local day crew translators and a multinational medical staff
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Partner with incoming surgeons to determine their ward-specific needs and patient care preferences; provide orientation to the equipment/supplies available, and help orientate them to the daily routine
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Develop and implement educational sessions and materials for staff and patient teaching
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Maintain a current manual and update critical pathways for the nursing care of patients undergoing specialty procedures performed onboard
For This Role, You Will Need
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Mercy Ships Alumni required
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Registered Nurse with active license in home country; a minimum three years’ experience needed after licensure
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Recent inpatient surgical/medical/Emergency Room experience of at least two years full-time or three years part-time in the past 5 years AND at the point of application can show working 30 hours or more per week in any of these clinical areas within the past 12 months
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Current Basic Life Support certification is required; ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) optional and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) desired
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
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Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office Suite
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Leadership or management experience preferred
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Successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding Gateway program
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.