African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the commencement of its African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) project in Abuja, Nigeria. It will provide world-class care to both low and high-income patient groups across the continent. The AMCE in Partnership with King's College Hospital London will be in Abuja, which is a hub for travel in Nigeria and West Africa, enabling it to attract patients across the region.

The African Medical Centre of Excellence will be implemented in four phases over a six-year period, starting with a 170-bed specialist hospital before expanding to a 500-bed facility. The centre will have the potential to provide services to over 200,000 patients in Nigeria and a further 150,000 patients from neighbouring West African countries within its first five years of operation.

The clinical areas the centre will specialise in are Cardiology, Haematology and Oncology. A range of businesses providing relevant health support will support this facility and provide commercial services to its patients and staff, thus creating a healthcare ecosystem sustainably designed to deliver long-term value to its community and region.

This is an outstanding initiative and creates a unique opportunity to be involved in the opening chapter of this exciting project that is set to make a decisive impact on non-communicable disease care across Nigeria and West Africa. The AMCE will benefit millions of people in Abuja and over the wider regions of West Africa. The institution will act as a beacon of healthcare in Africa and will be the employer and healthcare provider of choice across the region. What makes this facility even more special is its close partnership with King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The Lead Anaesthetist is a senior medical role responsible for overseeing all aspects of anaesthesia services within the hospital, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-cantered care. This role involves providing clinical leadership to the anaesthesia team, managing the administration of anaesthesia during surgical and diagnostic procedures, and ensuring that all practices adhere to the highest standards of care and safety. The Lead Anaesthetist is responsible for developing and implementing protocols and guidelines for the administration of anaesthesia, including preoperative assessments, intraoperative management, and postoperative care. This involves working closely with surgeons, operating room staff, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care and ensure that patients receive the appropriate type and level of anaesthesia for their specific needs. 

In addition to clinical duties, the Lead Anaesthetist plays a key role in the education and training of junior anesthetists and other medical staff. This includes providing mentorship, conducting training sessions, and ensuring that all members of the anaesthesia team are up to date with the latest techniques, medications, and safety protocols. The Lead Anaesthetist is also involved in quality improvement initiatives, working to enhance patient safety, improve outcomes, and reduce the incidence of complications related to anaesthesia. This includes monitoring key performance indicators, reviewing clinical outcomes, and leading efforts to implement new technologies and practices that improve the quality of care. As a senior member of the medical staff, the Lead Anaesthetist must also engage in strategic planning and decision-making processes within the hospital, contributing to the development of policies and practices that enhance the overall effectiveness of surgical and procedural services.

This position requires extensive clinical experience in anaesthesia, strong leadership skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team. The Lead Anaesthetist must be highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of patient care in a complex and dynamic healthcare environment.

Leadership:

• To be accountable for the delivery of key performance indicators relating to the organisation whilst striving for continuous improvement.
• To lead the Department by displaying resilience whilst maintaining a safe environment for all organization’s members
• Provide clinical leadership to the anaesthesia team, including anaesthetists, nurse anaesthetists, and support staff.
• Serve as the primary consultant for all anaesthesia-related matters, guiding clinical decisions and practices.

Strategic Development

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance anaesthesia services, including the adoption of new technologies and techniques.
• Collaborate with surgical and procedural departments to optimize patient care pathways and improve outcomes.
• Provide clear and concise leadership for the team to ensure that all facilities are outstanding environments, which are safe for the use of staff to the highest quality delivery of services to patients and external visitors.
• Responsible for delivering excellent patient focused facilities, which consider any staff and any feedback from staff and patients. 

Governance

• Ensure correct governance's arrangements, which include the management of finance and regulatory activity where appropriate.
• Making sure that all facilities functions comply with the governance standards.
• Ensuring that all facilities processes follow the correct guidelines from a governance standpoint.
• Ensure that all anaesthesia practices comply with hospital policies, regulatory standards, and best practices.
• Oversee the development and adherence to clinical protocols for preoperative assessments, anaesthesia administration, and postoperative care.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in the planning and execution of complex and high-risk procedures, providing expert anaesthesia management.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing complications and enhancing patient safety in anaesthesia care.
• Offer advisory expertise to senior members/managers in relation to any issues relating to the department.
• Provide regular updates to management and the board.
• Continue to work and develop to acquire further skills appropriate to the post where necessary. This could be in the form of extra educational qualifications/accreditations.

Equity and Diversity

• Act as lead for Equity & Diversity in the department to ensure the development and effective implementation of a strategy, set of policies, procedures and monitoring and control systems are in place.

Personal and Staff Development

• Work with HR to undertake recruitment, retention, performance management and development of staff in the team.
• Work with the Recruitment Manager to establish connections with appropriate local, international and online communities to nurture a pipeline of talent to support the growth of the company.
• Responsible for development of high potential employees, providing a structured approach to mentoring and developing critical talent at all levels of management.

Communications And Working Relationships

• Collaborate with surgeons, operating room staff, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated and effective care delivery.
• Communicate with patients and families, explaining anaesthesia procedures, addressing concerns, and providing postoperative care instructions.
• Establish credibility throughout the organisation and set an example as a proactive senior leader and change agent who earns respect by demonstrating a sound understanding of the departments’ objectives and goals.
• Collaborate with the COO and divisional Heads to determine short- and long-term needs of the Department.
• Develop and present updates to the Board of Directors.

Line Management

• Supervise the anaesthesia team, including conducting performance evaluations, overseeing professional development, and managing schedules.
• Provide mentorship and training to junior anaesthetists, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence.
• Develop and maintain the department with the appropriate mix of business knowledge and technical skills required to achieve strategic objectives and ensure the core functions of the department are reliable, stable and efficient.
• Provide strong leadership to develop, coach and ensure a high performing team.
• Establish the department goals, objectives and operating procedures.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Report to the Clinical Director of Cardiovascular Services, contributing to the hospital’s overall strategic planning and clinical governance.
• Participate in hospital committees focused on surgical services, patient safety, and clinical outcomes, representing the anesthesia department.
• Work with the senior management team to look for new related improvements.
• Provide solutions and services to the business that retain and increase a competitive advantage within the sector.
• Evaluate, select, and implement modern technology/ systems needed to support the organization in reaching its strategic objectives.

Confidentiality

The post holder must be aware that Confidential Information and data to which the post holder will have knowledge and access to in the course of their employment with the AMCE is to be kept confidential, and this confidentiality is a condition of employment. The duty to maintain confidentiality continues even when the post holder is no longer employed.

This information is not to be shared with anyone outside of the AMCE under any circumstances, except to the extent necessary to fulfil any duties and responsibilities required within the role. Furthermore, upon termination with the AMCE Abuja, the post holder will return to the AMCE all confidential information held.

General

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety, and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors, and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post. To observe the rules, policies, procedures, and standards of AMCE together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations. To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients, staff and visitors. To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.  All employees must hold an AMCE email account, which will be the AMCE's formal route for email communication. You are therefore required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication promptly.

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role. These requirements are set out in the AMCE Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures, which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be complied with at all times.

Qualifications

• Graduate from a recognised medical school
• Fellowship or equivalent in anaesthesia.
• Full registration with license to practice in home medical council.
• Meeting all requirement to register with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
• Experience in quality improvement, research, training and education
• Experience as the head of department or in healthcare leadership position

Experience

• At least 7 years' experience as a full-time consultant anaesthetist in a busy hospital
• Experience managing issues and identifying any potential risk to strategy
• Evidence of successfully implementing strategy with allocated budget/resources

Management and Leadership

• Inspirational and visible leader, with first class communication skills, capable of engaging audiences at all levels
• Ability to think and act strategically, developing practical, innovative and creative solutions to the management of issues and complex problems related to the department
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve business outcomes through partnership at all levels
• Well-developed management skills, with the ability to build and lead large teams
• Highly effective influencing and negotiating skills, with the ability to develop partnerships and alliances across a diverse range of stakeholders
• Politically astute and resilient, with the ability to manage conflict and ambiguity
• Outcome focused, with the capability and tenacity to drive the agenda forward
• Financially literate and commercially astute, with a sophisticated understanding of commercially orientated performance and financial management including contract management
• Shares the AMCE’s vision and values
• Commitment to clinical governance / improving quality of patient care

Personal attributes

• Professional attitude towards work
• Shares the AMCE’s vision
• Proactive and organised
• Commitment to clinical governance / improving quality of patient care
• Has personal and professional credibility and commands the respect of colleagues' peers 
• Is supportive and approachable and capable of inspiring confidence in staff members
• Commitment to caring for others
• Ability to adapt to living in a new country and new culture accordingly
• High levels of honesty and integrity

Languages

• All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues
• Skills in languages other than English    

AMCE Values

• Able to demonstrate an understanding of the AMCE’s values
• Commitment to uphold the AMCE’s values

African Medical Centre of Excellence, Abuja (AMCE Abuja) aims to be an Employer of Choice, providing equal opportunity for everyone regardless of their background, gender, race and other protected characteristics.