Job Purpose

The Medical Surgical Nurse provides safe, high quality, evidence-based nursing care to patients admitted to the medical-surgical ward. Working within an interdisciplinary team, the nurse is responsible for the comprehensive assessment, and planning of patient needs, implementation and evaluation of patient care plans. The position also contributes to clinical teaching, mentorship of junior staff and students, and continuous quality improvement in line with standards and clinical protocols.

Specific Responsibilities:

Clinical nursing care

• Develop, implement, and evaluate patient nursing care plans in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct thorough nursing assessments of patients upon admission and throughout their care continuum, documenting findings in the patient files
• Monitor patient vital signs, clinical parameters, and response to treatment; escalate changes in condition promptly to the attending physician or nurse in charge.
• Assist physicians/surgeons and other healthcare providers during examniations and procedures.
• Provide pre- and post-operative nursing care including wound management, drain care, and monitoring of surgical complications.
• Conduct patient and family education regarding diagnosis, treatment plan, medications, and discharge care instructions.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete nursing documentation in accordance with hospital and national standards.

Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

• Participate in adverse event reporting and root cause analysis processes in compliance with hospital quality and patient safety policies.
• Contribute to ward-level continuous quality improvement projects, including data collection, audits, and clinical reviews.
• Adhere to Rwanda Hospital Accreditation Standards and support ward preparation for accreditation assessments.
• Ensure proper use, maintenance, and inventory of medical equipment and supplies; report deficiencies to head of department.
• Report incidents, adverse events and near misses according to hospital policies.

Teaching, Mentorship & Professional Development

• Mentor and support orientationf of new staff and students during clinical rotations on the ward.
• Participate in ward-based in-service training, case presentations, and nursing grand rounds.
• Engage in continuing professional development (CPD) activities and apply new knowledge to clinical practice.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based nursing practice guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Collaboration & Communication

• Participate actively in daily team rounds, handover reports, and care coordination meetings.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and team members, maintaining dignity, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.

Required Qualifications

• Masters in Medical Surgical Nursing or equivalent
• Registered nurse with a valid nursing license. Nurses holding an A1 certificate with significant relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical nursing experience in surgery in a hospital setting. Experience in a teaching hospital or referral hospital is an added value.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical teaching and mentorship
• Familiarity with Rwanda national clinical protocols, IPC standards, and triage systems.
• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills and willingness to use electronic medical record systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to conduct basic data analysis.
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda; knowledge of French is an advantage
• Ability to live PIH/IMB values: Ubumuntu-Compassion, Ubupfura-Integrity, Ubunyangamugayo-Honesty, Ubwubahane-Mutual respect, Ubufatanye-Solidarity, Agaciro-Dignity, Kugira ishyaka-Determination.

At Partners In Health, 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 protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. By signing this Job Description, the employee confirms their understanding of this commitment, their readiness to follow it, and adhere to it.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate patient nursing care plans in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct thorough nursing assessments of patients upon admission and throughout their care continuum, documenting findings in the patient files
• Monitor patient vital signs, clinical parameters, and response to treatment; escalate changes in condition promptly to the attending physician or nurse in charge.
• Assist physicians/surgeons and other healthcare providers during examniations and procedures.
• Provide pre- and post-operative nursing care including wound management, drain care, and monitoring of surgical complications.
• Conduct patient and family education regarding diagnosis, treatment plan, medications, and discharge care instructions.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete nursing documentation in accordance with hospital and national standards.
• Participate in adverse event reporting and root cause analysis processes in compliance with hospital quality and patient safety policies.
• Contribute to ward-level continuous quality improvement projects, including data collection, audits, and clinical reviews.
• Adhere to Rwanda Hospital Accreditation Standards and support ward preparation for accreditation assessments.
• Ensure proper use, maintenance, and inventory of medical equipment and supplies; report deficiencies to head of department.
• Report incidents, adverse events and near misses according to hospital policies.
• Mentor and support orientationf of new staff and students during clinical rotations on the ward.
• Participate in ward-based in-service training, case presentations, and nursing grand rounds.
• Engage in continuing professional development (CPD) activities and apply new knowledge to clinical practice.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based nursing practice guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Participate actively in daily team rounds, handover reports, and care coordination meetings.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and team members, maintaining dignity, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.

• Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills and willingness to use electronic medical record systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to conduct basic data analysis.
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda; knowledge of French is an advantage

• Masters in Medical Surgical Nursing or equivalent
• Registered nurse with a valid nursing license. Nurses holding an A1 certificate with significant relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical nursing experience in surgery in a hospital setting. Experience in a teaching hospital or referral hospital is an added value.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical teaching and mentorship
• Familiarity with Rwanda national clinical protocols, IPC standards, and triage systems.