ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for ensuring that the lighting, sound, and other technical aspects of theatre performances run safely, smoothly, and on time.
• To make sure that theatre equipment is kept in good working order and that all those using or exposed to it are safe.
• Play a significant role in supporting health care professionals while dealing with patient care.
• Possesses thorough knowledge regarding the various aspects of working in an operation theatre such as biomedical waste management and infection control.
• Required to prepare the operation theatre, maintain equipment, sterilization, personal hygiene, and assist the nurses and surgeons in various procedures during and after the surgery.
• An Operation Theatre Technician needs to be courteous and empathetic with patients and relatives who may be mentally, physically, and emotionally distressed from time to time.
• In most cases Operation Theatre Technicians assist surgeons, dentists and optometrists during surgical procedures

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Good practical skills
• Effective communication skills
• To be able to work quickly and calmly under pressure
• To be able to work accurately and with minimal supervision
• A sympathetic and supportive attitude towards patients
• Good teamwork skills
• To be organised and methodical
• An awareness of health and safety issues

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Hospitals are the crucial employers of Surgical/ operation theatre technologists/technicians. They work in the operating theatres, ICUs and emergency unit of hospitals and nursing homes. Openings are available in the areas of transplant teams, gynaecology sections, orthopaedic clinics, cancer units, surgery, special care baby units etc. and also in the field of research, culture and training. They are chosen in the workplaces of physicians or dentists who carry out outpatient surgery

CAREER PROGRESSION

Certificate in operation theatre technician Diploma in Operation Theatre Technology, BSc Surgical Technology and MSc Surgical Technology are the main courses in the field of operation theatre technology

Key areas in nutrition

• Community nutrition
• Clinical Nutrition
• Sports Nutrition

Sectors for jobs and attachments

• Academic institutions
• Research institutions
• Consultancy firms-self or established
• Hospitals
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Food industries
• World Health Organization
• Food and Agriculture Organization
• Government parastatals
• Personal therapeutic food firm

BRIDGING

A student who has not met the required cluster subjects will be allowed to bridge with KNEC or upgrade with KNDI. Knec requires the student to must have done the last KCSE exams within the past two years.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A NUTRITIONIST

Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage the disease. They plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Dietitians and nutritionists typically do the following:

• Assess clients’ nutritional and health needs
• Counsel clients on nutrition issues and healthy eating habits
• Develop meal and nutrition plans, taking clients’ preferences and budgets into account
• Evaluate and monitor the effects of nutrition plans and practices and make changes as needed
• Promote healthy lifestyles by speaking to groups about diet, nutrition, and the relationship between good eating habits and preventing or managing specific diseases
• Create educational materials about healthy food choices and lifestyle
• Keep up with or contribute to the latest food and nutritional science research
• Document clients’ progress
• Participate in research and development of new nutrition therapies and supplements.
• Dietitians and nutritionists evaluate the health of their clients through nutrition assessment and diagnostic laboratory testing. Based on their findings, dietitians and nutritionists advise clients on behavior modifications and intervention plans, including foods to eat and avoid to improve their health.
• Dietitians and nutritionists help prevent or support the treatment of health conditions such as Malnutrition, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, genetic disorders, HIV/AIDS, Renal, Allergic reactions, and heart diseases among others. Many dietitians and nutritionists provide personalized information for individuals. For example, a dietitian or nutritionist might teach a client with diabetes how to plan meals to improve and balance the person’s blood sugar. Other dietitians and nutritionists work with groups of people who have similar needs. For example, a dietitian or nutritionist might plan a diet with healthy fat and limited sugar to help clients who are at risk for heart disease. Dietitians and nutritionists may work as part of a team with other healthcare staff to coordinate client care.
• Dietitians and nutritionists who are self-employed (consultants) may meet with clients or work as consultants for various organizations.
• Other nutritionists and dietitians work in areas of research and policy formulation

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Can be employed in all levels of health care facilities offering both inpatient and outpatient services, hospice, community based healthcare, specialist hospitals/clinics and home based care Opportunities are available locally and abroad

CAREER PROGRESSION

Certificate in health service support, diploma in health service support. Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. Candidates with the necessary skills, experience, and education have the best job prospects. An experienced Health service support staff with exposure to various internships and job training may have better chances of being appointed at a senior level.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Keeping track of medications and scheduling appointments for follow-up care
• Providing emotional support to patients by encouraging them during difficult treatments or procedures
• Keeping track of medical records, including updating information as it changes over time
• Helping patients get comfortable by adjusting pillows or blankets, or providing other assistance as needed
• Assisting patients with special needs such as disabled patients who require assistance with daily activities
• Performing clerical tasks such as filing medical records and answering phones
• Clearing equipment before and after use, sterilizing and storing instruments, and disposing of biohazardous waste
• Preparing patients for exams by bathing them, shaving them, applying makeup, or helping them put on prosthetics if needed
• Providing transportation to doctors’ offices or hospitals for appointments or surgery

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identifying common ailments and minor Injuries at the community level for appropriate action;
• Identifying and referring health cases to the appropriate health facilities;
• Coordinating community health activities;
• Collating health data from the household level for analysis;
• Sensitizing and disseminating health information to the community;
• Identifying defaulters of health interventions and referring them to appropriate health facilities;
• Convening meetings for dialogue and action days in collaboration with other stakeholders;
• Requisitioning refills for the community health workers’ kits.
• Monitoring the community’s needs and trends, such as population shifts or changes in housing needs
• Developing and implementing plans for community revitalization, such as creating affordable housing units or promoting economic development projects
• Establishing partnerships with local businesses and community organizations to promote community development programs
• Working with city officials to obtain funding for community development projects
• Conducting research on housing needs in order to identify ways to improve housing conditions in the community
• Coordinating activities with local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to ensure that community development goals are met
• Leading community outreach efforts to encourage participation in community development projects
• Meeting regularly with community members to discuss issues and concerns
• Coordinating and conducting community outreach projects, such as neighborhood cleanups, health fairs, and youth sports leagues

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Professionalism
• Accountability:
• Teamwork:
• Knowledgeable
• Work Experience
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Advocacy
• Capacity-building ability
• Cultural humility and responsiveness
• Service Coordination
• Education and facilitation skills
• Good organization and documentation skills

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• MINISTRY OF HEALTH
• COUNTY GOVERNMENT
• NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
• CHILDREN’S HOMES
• OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES
• RESCUE CENTERS
• HOSPITALS
• DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS <
• CBO’S

LICENSING

All graduating students will be licensed by Kenya Health Professionals Oversight Authority in coordination with the society of community health caregivers

Types of jobs

• Outreach Specialist
• Health Services Program Coordinator/Manager/Assistant
• Public Health Educator
• Health Promotion Specialist
• Consultant (Research)
• Quality Safety Specialist (occupational health)
• Community Health Advocate
• Community Health Advisor
• Project officer –adolescent, sexual and reproductive health
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Child protection specialist
• Community health worker
• Violence Prevention Specialist
• Worksite Wellness Specialist
• Health Education & Communication Specialist

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Non-Governmental organizations (World Vision, AMPATH, world relief, compassion, Save the children, UNICEF, etc.)
• public Hospitals and Private Hospitals
• National Government and counties ministries (ministry of health, agriculture, culture, and social services)
• Community projects
• Rehabilitation centres
• Rescue centres
• Faith-based organization
• Community-based organization
• Training in TEVET colleges

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• participate in the management of community health and HIV/AIDS projects
• Appreciate the role of community organization in community health and HIV/AIDS management
• Appreciate the role of communication in the community
• Promote ethical practices and integrate gender in the community development
• COUNSELING
• Care of mentally ill patients arising from PLWHA
• Facilitate the establishment of Technical Working Groups for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support
• Support and participate in technical working groups and inter-agency task forces,
• Review, analyze and evaluate technical reports and other relevant materials on the state of prevention and care of HIV and AIDS in the key areas and facilitate dissemination of good practices.
• Integrate concerns of vulnerable populations in COVID -19 response plans.
• Review, research, and compile material for the preparation of technical reports and other documents,
• Manage coordinating activities related to budget and funding

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Non-Governmental organizations (World Vision, AMPATH, world relief, compassion, Save the children, UNICEF, etc.)
• Public Hospitals and Private Hospitals
• National Government and counties ministries (ministry of health, agriculture, culture, and social services)
• Community projects
• Rehabilitation centres
• Rescue centres
• Faith-based organization
• Community-based organization
• Training in TEVET colleges

EXAMINATIONS

The student undertake KNEC examinations with social work major at diploma level.

CAREER Opportunities

• Social workers
• Community development specialists
• Counselors
• Project Managers
• Policy Makers

Job opportunities

• NGOS eg Rescue centers, Orphanages, Youth empowerment centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• MOH e.g Psychiatric hospitals
• Hospital social worker
• G.O.K Probation officers
• Child protection officers
• GBV offices
• Self-employment as a counselor
• Palliative care centers