Here is a quick overview of what Hoz is and how it is run.  You are obviously an interested nurse looking at the possibility of working here at Hebron School.  This will just give you an idea of what you are looking at.

 Hoz (the school clinic) cares for not only the students (of whom there are about 360) but also the rest of the School community which consists of professional staff (teachers) administration and support staff.  So it really is like a local clinic with a difference.  It is a little hospital as well.  Hoz consists of 13 beds.  The students who are sick remain in Hoz until they are well enough to go back to school.  This is because a lot of the dorm parents are teachers and so are unable to care for any sick children in the dorm during the day.  It is also to help prevent spread of contagious illness.

 Hoz currently has 3 nurses on a rostered system (2 local Indian nurses and 1 western resident nurse) and a Co-ordinator.  A registered nurse is required to be available 24 hours 7 days a week.  We have a local doctor who has a clinic in Hoz 2 times a week.  She is also available to be contacted any time as we need.  Ooty itself has limited facilities regarding hospital care and laboratory investigations so if a student requires specialist care a nurse will have to escort them to a bigger hospital.  This is often down in Coimbatore (3 hours drive away).  The nurse may be with the student for a few days down there as they undergo whatever treatment is required.

 Our job is not strictly “school nurses” as it is a community we are looking after.  We have such a wide scope of work that it is never dull.  We cover care from stomach aches, diarrhoea, vomiting (sometimes requiring IV therapy) to sports injuries (sprains and broken bones), lacerations (including suturing), head injuries and many more.  Then on the side we are attending those who are staying in Hoz for whatever reason, making sure all the students are vaccinated with what they need, informing parents of the latest medical news of their child/ren, attending doctors appointments, taking blood samples, keeping Hoz stocked, accounts (yes, that at present is part of our job too), and keeping up with all the paper/computer work! No it is certainly never dull.

 Nursing here at Hebron in India is different from nursing back home.  We are in a different country and they do things differently.  So we learn and adapt.  Presently we are working well as a team.  There are things we work through together to make Hoz work for the people who need us. 

 This is a very brief outline of the structure of Hoz and the roles the nurses action.  I hope this has been helpful to you.  Please do not hesitate to contact Hoz on email hoz@hebronooty.org if you require anymore information or you have any questions.

 We pray God will lead you clearly as you look into Hebron School as a potential area of service for Him.

 KE November 2007

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