Mardré van der Kolf (Ferreira)

• Interview, investigate, diagnose, and oversee the treatment of paediatric patients and related administrative duties.
• Teaching and research, participating in departmental audit activities.
• Attendance of, compiling statistics and presenting cases at relevant meetings like mortality meetings and completing Medico-Legal Documents timeous (e.g.Death certificate).
• Implement and adhere to National Core Standards (norms and standards)
• Participation in multidisciplinary team to the management of patients.
• Performance of practical procedures relevant to the care of patients.
• Admission, review and management of Paediatric ICU and neonatal ICU patients (under consultant supervision).
• Participation in departmental meetings, journal clubs, case presentations, lectures, and ward rounds.
• Management of paediatric outpatient department.
• Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based medical practices and protocols.
• Supervision and teaching of medical students during patient interview, examination and procedures.
• Referral of patients to other medical departments and tertiary centres.

• Management of patients, including male and female wards, paediatric maternity, neonatal and casualty in a district health setting.
• Hosting and presentation of monthly mortality meetings.
• Weekly clinic visits to nearby small towns.
• Performance of difficult deliveries and emergency caesarian sections.
• Participated in quality improvement initiatives and process development.
• Referred patients to specialists or other practitioners for treatment.
• Utilized strong decision-making abilities under pressure to prioritize treatments based on life-threatening conditions or potential complications.
• Advised patients on diet, hygiene and methods for disease prevention.
• Ensured high-quality patient care by staying up-to-date on the latest guidelines.
• Performed minor surgical procedures to address simple, urgent patient injuries or conditions.
• Regularly participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss complex cases, enhancing collaboration and improving patient outcomes.

Provide senior clinical oversight for acute pediatric admissions (neonates to adolescents), including rapid assessment, stabilization, diagnosis, and initiation of treatment.

Coordinate and lead after-hours clinical cover across General Paediatrics, PICU, or Neonatal/NICU, ensuring safe triage, escalation, and continuity of care.

Lead and participate in paediatric resuscitations and emergency management (e.g., septic shock, status epilepticus, DKA, severe asthma/respiratory failure), including timely escalation to ICU-level interventions.

Manage PICU patients under consultant supervision: ventilated children, vasoactive support, complex sepsis, post-operative monitoring, and multi-organ dysfunction; ensure meticulous monitoring and daily plan review.

Provide neonatal/NICU care, including management but not limited to: prematurity complications, respiratory distress, neonatal sepsis, jaundice, HIE follow-up, and feeding intolerance/NEC risk assessment.

Supervise and support junior doctors, interns, and medical students on ward rounds, after-hours calls, and in emergency presentations; provide bedside teaching and feedback.

Conduct daily consultant-led rounds, developing and updating management plans, prioritizing sick patients, and ensuring continuity of care.

Perform and/or supervise common pediatric procedures such as lumbar puncture, intraosseous access, neonatal/infant cannulation, arterial/venous blood sampling, urinary catheterization, and advanced airway support.

Coordinate care for children with complex or chronic conditions, including discharge planning, follow-up arrangements, and multidisciplinary input.

Liaise with and refer to relevant services (e.g.surgery, anesthetics, radiology, pathology, social work, dietetics, physiotherapy, speech therapy) to ensure integrated care.

Ensure accurate, timely clinical documentation, including admission notes, progress notes, discharge summaries, referral letters, and medico-legal records.

Interpret and act on investigations and ensure appropriate antimicrobial stewardship and monitoring of response to treatment.

Communicate effectively with caregivers and patients, including breaking bad news, discussing risks/benefits, obtaining informed consent, and supporting shared decision-making.

Participate in mortality and morbidity meetings, clinical audits, and quality improvement initiatives aimed at patient safety and service efficiency.

Support safeguarding practices by identifying and managing child protection concerns, documenting findings carefully, and escalating according to institutional protocols.

Contribute to infection prevention and control and promote safe prescribing.

Participate in continuous professional development, including teaching sessions, simulation training, resuscitation drills, and maintaining competency logs/portfolio.

• 12 month rotation only in paediatric department
• Detail of responsibilities mainly as stated under Medical officer Paediatrics; under consultant supervision and guidance.

2 year internship rotation involving all relevant departments

• Obstetrics and Gynecology (4 months)
• Internal Medicine (4 months)
• Surgery (4 months)
• Anesthetics (2 months)
• Orthopedics (2 months)
• Pediatrics (4 months)
• Casualty and trauma (3 months)
• Psychiatry (1 month)