Background: Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan (AKHS, P) runs one of the largest not-for-profit private healthcare systems in the country, with a focus on the regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. Its core focus includes initiatives for hard-to-reach populations through services like outreach clinics, training of community midwives to provide low-cost health services in remote areas, screening for non-communicable diseases, and digital health solutions.

Job Summary: The Senior Medical Officer (SMO) will provide senior-level clinical services and technical support to ensure quality patient care at the secondary care hospital. The SMO will support the Principal Medical Officer (PMO) in clinical decision-making, mentoring junior doctors, and strengthening implementation of clinical protocols, while having minimal administrative responsibilities.

Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan, is looking for a competent Senior Medical Officer (SMO) based at RHC Shagram, Upper-Chitral in Chitral Region. 

Key Responsibilities:

A. Clinical Leadership and Service Delivery:

• Ensure delivery of quality healthcare services in OPD, IPD, Emergency, Procedures Room, and other functional areas.
• Lead clinical management of complicated, critical, and emergency cases and ensure timely decision-making in the absence of PMO.
• Maintain continuity of essential healthcare services, including 24/7 emergency coverage.
• Promote patient-centred and respectful care in line with organizational values and standards.

B. Supervision, Staff Management, and Performance Oversight:

• Supervise and mentor all clinical and paramedical staff, including doctors, nurses, LHVs, midwives, and allied health personnel.
• Prepare duty rosters, shift coverage, and on-call arrangements.
• Monitor attendance, punctuality, and discipline in coordination with administration.
• Identify performance gaps and provide feedback, coaching, and corrective actions.

C. Implementation of Clinical Standards and EPHS Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs), EPHS requirements, and hospital protocols.
• Promote rational prescribing practices and compliance with essential medicines lists.
• Uphold ethical clinical practice, patient confidentiality, and informed consent.

D. Quality Assurance and Patient Safety:

• Implement quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Support the conduct clinical audits, mortality and morbidity reviews, case discussions, and incident reviews.
• Ensure documentation and reporting of clinical incidents, adverse events, and near misses by the relevant staff.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce risks and improve outcomes.

E. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC):

• Ensure compliance with IPC protocols, including waste management and sterilization standards.
• Promote hand hygiene, safe injection practices, and a safe environment.
• Train staff and monitor adherence to IPC guidelines.

F. Referral System Strengthening and Emergency Management:

• Maintain effective referral and counter-referral systems for patients requiring higher-level care.
• Ensure stabilization of critical patients before referral and provide proper documentation.
• Coordinate ambulance and emergency transport for timely patient transfer.
• Liaise with referral hospitals for effective case management.

G. External Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Coordinate with nearby health facilities (BHU/BHC/other healthcare providers) to improve referral efficiency.
• Engage community health workers, LHWs, vaccinators, and frontline staff for early identification and timely referral of high-risk patients.
• Facilitate communication between the facility and peripheral health centers to strengthen service integration.
• Maintain positive relationships with community representatives, local authorities, and other stakeholders.

H. Facility Operations and Hospital Management:

• Oversee smooth functioning of all departments, including diagnostics, pharmacy, emergency services, labour room, and inpatient wards.
• Resolve operational challenges in coordination with administration and nursing leadership.
• Ensure coordination between clinical and support departments for uninterrupted service delivery.

I. HMIS, Reporting, and Documentation:

• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely reporting through HMIS/DHIS.
• Review service statistics and provide feedback for improvement.
• Supervise clinical documentation, including admission notes, discharge summaries, referral slips, and medico-legal records.
• Validate facility data to ensure accuracy and compliance.

J. Capacity Building and Training:

• Identify training needs and implement on-the-job training for staff.
• Orient newly posted staff members.
• Support continuous medical education (CME) sessions and skill development.

K. Resource Planning and Asset Management:

• Identify gaps in medicines, supplies, and equipment and report requirements promptly.
• Ensure proper utilization of resources and prevent wastage or misuse.
• Support preventive maintenance of medical equipment and infrastructure.
• Ensure availability of essential medicines, emergency drugs, and functional equipment.

L. Support to Facility Administration and Cost Recovery:

• Implement cost recovery mechanisms per hospital policy.
• Oversight the hospital team for proper documentation to support billing and revenue tracking.
• Promote efficient utilization of resources to improve financial sustainability without compromising care.

M. Personal Health and Coordination:

• Maintain personal health and resilience to perform effectively.
• Remain in close coordination with PMO and Manager Clinical Health Services for the entire operation of the facility.
• Engage with the local community, hospital leadership, and stakeholders to ensure smooth service delivery and trust.

Qualifications & Experience:

• MBBS with valid PMDC registration. Postgraduate qualification (MCPS/FCPS/Diploma) will be an advantage.
• Minimum 3–5 years of clinical experience, preferably in secondary care or emergency services.
• Possesses basic clinical certifications such as BLS/ACLS.
• Results-driven, ethical and adaptable professional with a strong service and stakeholder focus.
• Strong integrity with the sensitivity to manage confidential information.
• Demonstrates superior organizational skills and the agility to multitask and assume changing strategic responsibilities in a dynamic environment.
• Possesses strong integrity, intellectual humility and demonstrable expertise in navigating ambiguity and constant change.
• Shows resilience, flexibility and perseverance, especially during challenging periods.
• Culturally sensitive, inclusive and respectful of diverse populations, reflecting the global values of the AKDN.
• A deep passion and commitment to AKDN’s purpose, values and ethical framework. Flexibility to work as required to meet AKHS mandates.

AKHS is committed to reducing our impact on climate and the environment and have set ourselves the goal of striving for net-zero carbon operations by 2030. All staff is expected to take part in making this a reality. The Senior Medical Officer (SMO) accompanied with his/her Line Manager is expected to identify and understand which aspects of his/her work have most impact on the environment, and define tasks, work, and personal goals within his/her work plan to reduce these impacts and bring AKHS closer to net zero.

Interested candidates meeting the criteria can apply latest by April 26, 2026