APPLICATION FOR FUTURE PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC SPECIALIST

CONTEXT
The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) launched its services in the field of health development in 1945. LRC serves the most vulnerable people of the community and in all areas of Lebanon through providing medical consultations, health awareness, prevention programs, vaccination campaigns, school health, and special services for the handicapped – Lebanese and refugee population residing in Lebanon. Since its founding days, the LRC aims to provide help and support to people without discriminating against their nationality, race, class, social status, religious beliefs or political opinions.
The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) aims to re-launch and upgrade its Physical Rehabilitation Center (PRC) in Aley area by 2020. Initially this center was established in 1986, financed and technically supported by the Dutch Red Cross. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) has extensive experience in the physical rehabilitation field. ICRC has currently been looking to support LRC in re-launching and upgrading its physical Rehabilitation Center in Aley. ICRC partnered with LRC in the assessment of the needs to re-launch the center and committed to technically and financially supporting the center.
The center objectives are to provide affordable, accessible and good quality physical rehabilitation services to Persons with Disabilities (PwD) while assuring proper coordination and effective partnership with other stakeholders. A multidisciplinary approach to physical disability will be adopted including the provision of prosthetics and orthotics services in addition to physical therapy services.
For the time being the center is employing only one Prosthetic and Orthotic specialist working alongside with two physiotherapists to ensure a multidisciplinary approach and quality of services for the People with Physical disabilities in need of Prosthetic, orthotics, mobility aids and physical rehabilitation.

PURPOSE
In order to ensure the quality and the sustainability of the services of the newly re-established Physical Rehabilitation Center in Alley, the LRC would like to include two additional Prosthetic and Orthotic specialists in its team in the future. Within this scope, two scholarships are provided for the applicants to study in the selected university for four academic years abroad (Jordan or India). After a successful completion of their studies, both graduated will be assigned for an open contract at the Physical Rehabilitation Center. During the period of the contract, both graduated will work as Prosthetic and Orthotic specialists and should commit for a minimum five to six years to work at the Physical Rehabilitation as an employee.

ROLES AND RESPONSABILITIES
Requirement prior the study program to:
- Apply the term and the conditions as in the program study by the university.
- Complete studies, assessment and projects on time to an acceptable standard and participate fully in the education provided by the school in the given period (4 years).
- Report regularly to his/her direct supervisor and the ICRC, problems or difficulties impacting the participation in the training studies

The trainee hereby undertakes to attend the following training course, to prepare for any required exams and to sit for them at the appointed time. Within this scope the students will sign a memorandum of understanding with the LRC and the ICRC where he/she will take the responsibility to commit to his/her studies and to return once the graduation completed to work at the physical rehabilitation center.

Requirement after graduation: The Prosthetists and orthotists assess patient needs and physical abilities; design, fabricate, fit, evaluate and repair prosthetic devices (artificial limbs) and orthotic devices (braces and supports) and provide related advice to the service users. They participate in the multidisciplinary consultations for the patient’s assessments and treatments prescriptions. They inform the beneficiary and the caregiver on the importance of the rehabilitation to improve his/her rehabilitation.

They will be responsible for:
- Professional Patient Care and Management with attention to upgrading skills and service whenever possible or appropriate.
- Measurement and cast impressions of service users.
- Actual process and supervision of process of cast impressions to include filling, stripping and rectification as per instructions, smoothing casts and preparing for further processing.
- Assembly of prosthetic and orthotic components
 - Follow Bench alignement Principles.
 - Dynamic alignment, fitting process, gait training and check-out.
- Finishing and cosmetic preparation of orthopedic devices for delivery.
- Delivery of Orthopedic Devices and quality assurance.
- Communication with Physiotherapy staff regarding patient care and patient management.
- Repairs of prosthetics and orthopedic devices.
- All use of equipment, hand tools, and materials required to reach objectives of manufacture of orthopedic devices.
- Responsible reporting to the head of workshop and Center Manager.
- Any other duties that foster the objectives of the center.

The Prosthetic and Orthotic specialist will at all times practice Safety Measures to assure the safety of his/her person, the safety of his fellow workers, supervisors, and the patients of the physical rehabilitation center. The Prosthetic and Orthotic specialist is responsible for proper use and care of tools and equipment of the center through both personal and supervisory manners. This is inclusive of daily inventory of tools, and cleaning tools and workplaces through supervisory responsibilities. Malfunctions or damaged equipment found to be in need of repairs beyond “in house” capabilities.

The Prosthetic and Orthotic specialist is responsible to report these matters to the Book Keeper and/or Center Manager for further actions to bring equipment up to standard.
The Prosthetic and Orthotic specialist will report to work at scheduled times for the workday and will observe the policies and procedures of the center at all times.

ACCOUNTABLITY AND COMMUNICATION
- Representing the principles of the LRC & ICRC movement and the core humanitarian principles.
- Maintaining a good working relationship with the university and supervisors.
- Representing the LRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and in the field, and avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the LRC’s image
- Taking responsibility for their own professional learning and development
- Respecting the country regulation and laws
- Communicating effectively with the technicians who often create medical devices & explain to patients how to use and care for the devices.
- Expressing and receiving communications with patients, family, caregivers, practitioners, consumers, payers and policymakers.
- Sensitivity to individual and cultural differences when engaged in the practice, research and education.
- Helping and caring skills, Sensitivity and a fair amount of patience and tolerance.
- Reliability, honesty and trustworthiness, enthusiasm, dedication.

QUALIFICATIONS, education and certification, language, experiences.
- High School Diploma (BAC 2 / 12th grade) preferable in life sciences or equivalent with the scientific stream of studies with good results with the official document from the Lebanese Ministry of Education.
- Fluency in English and Arabic (Course in English).
- English competency of IELTS band 6 or equivalent (TOEFL)
- Background in Allied health fields such as Physical Therapy or occupational therapy, or experiences working as bench workers or technicians is an asset.
- Able to evaluate the patients' situations and often look for creative solutions to their rehabilitation needs.
- Good computer skills (Microsoft office package, especially Excel).

FUNCTIONS
- Evaluate and interview patients to determine their needs
- Measure patients in order to design and fit medical devices
- Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices based on physicians' prescriptions
- Take a mold of the part of a patient’s body that will be fitted with a brace or artificial limb
- Select materials to be used for the orthotic or prosthetic device
- Fit, test, and adjust devices on patients
- Instruct patients in how to use and care for their devices
- Repair or update prosthetic and orthotic devices
- Document care in patients' records

COMPETENCES
- Understands the job requirements and demonstrates the right technical skills and knowledge required to complete the job objectives
- Completes assignments in a thorough and timely manner that achieves expected standards. Fulfills key responsibilities professionally.
- Respects time and makes use of it by attending work based on agreed schedule and work requirements, respecting deadlines and using own time and others time efficiently.
- After graduation, perform a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of patient’s orthotic/prosthetic needs.
- Create a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient.
- Perform the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services.
- Follow-up Treatment Plan
- Provide continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthoses/prosthesis.
- Develop, implement, and/or monitor policies and procedures regarding human resource.
- Participate in personal and professional development through continuing education, training, research and organizational affiliations.

BEHAVIORS
- Taking prompt independent action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
- Genuine willingness to support other and ability to work with others.
- Cooperative, cultural awareness, addresses problems and communicates effectively.
- Fully understands and applies the code of conduct and the Fundamental Principles in daily work.
- Enjoying full civil rights
- Abiding the seven Fundamental Principles, rules and regulations of the Lebanese Red Cross and International Committee of Red Cross.
- Committing to work in LRC _ PRC center.
- Respecting LRC Code of conduct rules and safety principles.
- Enhancing & embodiment LRC image