Duty Medical Officer

Knowledge : Medical terms in relation to General Medicine and Nephrology in particular

Clinical examination in relation to General Medicine and Nephrology

Interpretation of investigation reports in relation to General Medicine and Nephrology

Management of medical emergencies including use of drugs in patients with medical emergencies and chronic kidney disease and their doses

Skills : Communication to the Consultant – clinical examination findings and reports of investigations

Communication to the patient – nature of illness and plans of action as informed by the Consultant

Communication with other hospital staff – general issues

Reporting to : Head, Department of Nephrology; Medical Director; Unit Head; Nephrology consultants; Nephrology registrar

Reported by : Dialysis staff, Nephrology nurse; indirect reporting by Nursing Staff, public relationship manager, Housekeeping Staff

Key Result Areas Coordination with the consultant(s) of department of Nephrology and other departments to achieve safe effective and quality care

General Responsibilities Adherence to medical ethics

Adherence to policies and protocols of the Hospital

Adherence to safety and infection control practices

History taking and physical examination of newly registered patients in outpatient department with appropriate documentation before Nephrology consult (and Urology consult in case of contingencies)

History taking and physical examination of previously registered patients in outpatient department with appropriate documentation under the guidance of Consultants

Clinical assessment of all patients presenting to emergency ward and patients getting admitted to wards with appropriate documentation

Regular assessment (and as and when needed) of all inpatients during ward rounds and during duty hours with appropriate documentation

Immediate and appropriate management of emergencies in inpatients and outpatients if detected during clinical assessment with urgent feedback to concerned consultants and appropriate documentation

Management of unresponsive patients with basic life support

Ordering for investigations and drug prescription only after discussion with concerned Consultant

Appropriate follow up of investigation reports and feedback to the concerned consultant

As and when indicated - feedback to patients and attendants on reports, action taken if any and plans of action following discussion with concerned consultants

Documentation of informed consent only in an emergency situation – countersignature from the consultant or registrar within 24 hours

Patient procedures only in an emergency situation if privileged by the Head of Department of Nephrology (intra venous cannulation, arterial puncture for collection of blood sample for gas analysis, nasogastric tube insertion, pleural effusion and peritoneal fluid aspiration for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, non tunneled central vein catheter insertion, renal biopsy)

Proper handover of patient details for continuity in treatment during shift change

Specific Responsibilities Work ethics – reporting for duty, duty roster, coordination with colleagues

Counseling for retrovirus screening

Follow up of critical alerts with concerned consultants and documentation of the same in patients’ medical records and in excel sheet

Academic and research activities if assigned

Participation Morbidity and Mortality meets

Clinical audit meets

Other committee meets as applicable