• Understand the roles of those who work beside the nurses in the Ward including:
     - Translators
     - Housekeepers and Laundry Staff
     - Disciplers/counselors
     - Adopt-a-patient crew members
  
• Understand how to delegate to and collaborate with these co-workers

The main role of translators is to facilitate communication between the hospital staff and the patients. Patients may represent many different language groups, even in an English-speaking country. Translators are needed in all patient care areas, including admissions, the ward, the operating room and the post-op department.  There is typically one translator available for every 1-2 nurses on duty. 

They are taught how to use the community health teaching aids so they can teach the patients and their family health education.  These modules address common health problems of West Africa including such things as nutrition, scabies, lice, malaria, diarrhoea and worms.

Translators also perform several practical duties that help to sustain the overall functioning of the ward including:

• Escorting patients and visitors on and off the ship
• Helping to serve patients the appropriate meals and to do the dishes
• Helping patients to the toilet and shower as needed
• Keeping the ward clean and tidy, removing garbage and laundry as needed
• Disinfecting beds after patients are discharged and replacing linen

Their duties include:

• Collecting the patient's meals from the galley and serving them
• Washing dishes
• Cleaning general hospital areas and cleaning the items in the dirty utility room
• Dirty laundry is collected, laundered, folded, and restocked by the laundry staff
• Translating is NOT a required duty, therefore, they may or may not speak local languages

The disciplers function as counselors.

They work collaboratively with many areas including the ward, admissions, post-op and eye areas to help to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of the patients.

They use a variety of methods to coordinate evangelism and discipleship by:

• Leading worship or church service on the ward
• Spending time developing personal relationships with patients and their family members
• Presenting videos such as the "Jesus Film"
• Leading Bible studies
• Praying with patients as desired
• Making home visits to follow up with patients in their own villages

Africa Mercy crew are invited to be involved with patients in the ward by getting involved in the Adopt-a-Patient Program.  Details regarding this program and the guidelines that must be followed by the crew when they interact with a patient can be obtained onboard.

"But now, God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.        And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you' or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.'"  1 Corinthians 12:18-21

"And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way." Luke 6:31

It is important to remember that each person working on the ward has a role, and we must each work to the best of our ability to fulfil that role.  With that being said, we also work as a team to provide the best care and environment for the patients.

Within the hospital, we aim to:

• Be accountable one to another
• Extend and receive patience, support and encouragement
• Ask for help and be willing to learn
• Communicate openly, honestly and in a timely way
• Encourage each other to rest and effectively manage stress

2. How can crew be involved with the patients?

3. Name two ways we aim to work together.

4. Name some of the roles of day workers.