- Nurse or medical assistant (Grade E)
Accountable to: Field Supervisors, Study Leaders, Research Managers
Liaises with: Key informants, study participants, wider community members, adjacent clinical services, district, regional and national policy makers, international collaborators, all MEIRU staff, including administrative, technical, data, laboratory, clinical, field and science staff
Minimum qualifications: Diploma in Nursing or clinical medicine from a well-recognised institution of higher learning
Hours: 5:00 am – 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. However, hours are expected to be flexible to ensure scientific and educational targets are achieved
MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION
To form part of the MEIRU field staff engaged in research studies and play an important role in collecting survey data and biological specimens according to study protocols. Specifically, this post will involve working as part of the Cardiovascular disease study team in Lilongwe, Malawi.
MAIN DUTIES
Clinical
- Learning and following the essential principles of the project specific protocols, procedures and data management.
- Undergoing or refreshing training relating to general principles of research conduct and MEIRU-specific policies
- Recruiting study participants, including screening for eligibility, providing study information and consenting potential participants in an appropriate manner, respecting their wishes and maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Interviewing study participants in an appropriate language, with attention to identification procedures and careful recording of details on appropriate forms.
- Collecting biological specimens from study participants including blood (venepuncture), and ensuring that the transportation requirements to the laboratory are met. Duties will include field visits in the very early morning and some visits will take place at weekends
- Voluntary counselling/testing of study participants: it is a requirement of this post that applicants have existing HCT certification, acquired within 5 years of application
- Updating appropriate government registers in an accurate and timely manner
- Pre-booking or confirming some participants for upcoming visits by phone calls in liaison with field supervisor
- Reporting results of study tests and investigations to participants clearly, using appropriate language, and providing basic lifestyle counselling
- Overseeing referral of study participants for clinical and/or support services for care and follow-up, according to study protocols
- Maintaining study registers and responding to queries from the data office and laboratory promptly and accurately.
- Assisting with community-based briefing, sensitization and feedback programmes
- Liaising with MEIRU colleagues, health service staff and community representatives in such a manner to ensure smooth running of the project.
- Ensuring good representation of MEIRU and its harmonious relations with health services and the wider community.
- Performing field visits by motorbike, car, or foot if necessary
- Ensuring that all work is carried out in accordance with MEIRU’s health and safety policy, and abiding by the Terms and Conditions of service.
- Abiding by MEIRU’s safeguarding policy, and reporting any safeguarding concerns in a timely manner in accordance with this policy
- Performing other duties as requested relevant to skills and experience, including assisting with leave cover for fellow field staff
Project management
- To liaise with collaborating clinical services where study participants require drug initiation or onwards referral.
- Maintaining study registers and responding to queries from the data office and laboratory promptly and accurately.
- To collaborate with other clinical and non-clinical MEIRU staff to ensure eligible participants are supported to attend the study CVD or NCD clinic, when appropriate.
- To audit study performance, provide monthly progress reports and identify areas for improvement.
- To travel between Chilumba and Lilongwe when required to participate in training or to conduct study duties in the rural or urban arm of the CVD study, as appropriate.
Community engagement
- To assist with community engagement activities including community-based briefing, sensitization and feedback relevant to the CVD study
- To assist in data audit and routine dissemination of research outputs to the national and regional stakeholders.
- To assist in analysis and writing scientific papers for publication related to the CVD research
Overarching
- Learning and following the essential principles of the project specific protocols, procedures and data management.
- Undergoing or refreshing training relating to general principles of research conduct and MEIRU-specific policies
- To collaborate with other MEIRU colleagues, including administrative, technical, data, laboratory, clinical, field and science staff.
- To at all times ensure good representation of Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit (MEIRU) and their harmonious relations with health services and the wider community.
- To at all times, ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with MEIRU’s health and safety policy and abide by Terms and conditions of service.
- To perform other duties as requested relevant to skills and experience.
Place in Management Structure: The incumbent reports to specific project Study Leaders and Research Managers. There are no individuals reporting to the incumbent.
Specific Responsibilities (e.g. planning, organisation, guidance, supervision, training, monitoring and control). The individual will be expected to plan and conduct their work in line with procedures and targets set by Study Leaders and Research Managers
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive and duties may vary from time to time in light of changing circumstances, after consultation with you
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Minimum (Essential) Qualifications:
- Minimum of Diploma in clinical medicine/nursing from a recognised institution
- Registered with nurses council or medical council of Malawi, as appropriate
- Existing HCT certification, acquired within 5 years of application
Desired Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Good spoken Chitumbuka and other relevant local languages, with fluency in Chichewa and English essential
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Able to work to a consistently high standard
- Ability to complete work in a timely manner
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Willingness and ability to learn to ride a motorbike, and to travel as a passenger on motorbike
- Previous experience in electronic data capture
- Willingness and ability to work long hours, which will include:
- Early morning shifts starting from 5am
- Some weekend shifts
- Willingness and ability to collect and appropriately handle biological specimens: blood (venepuncture) and urine
2. Clinical Officer (Grade E)
Accountable to: Clinical lead or research principal investigator
Supervises: Field Staff (Field workers and Field supervisors), where applicable
Liaises with: Key informants, study participants, wider community members, adjacent clinical services, district, regional and national policy makers, international collaborators, all MEIRU staff, including administrative, technical, data, laboratory, clinical, field and science staff
Minimum qualifications: Diploma in Clinical medicine (Clinical officer) from a well-recognised institution
Hours: 07.30 am – 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. However, hours are expected to be flexible to ensure scientific and educational targets are achieved
Main objective of the Position:
To be responsible for delivering the clinical aspects of the Wellcome Trust-funded the Cardiovascular disease (CVD) study. Specifically, this post will involve working as part of the Cardiovascular disease study team in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Main Duties:
Clinical
- To attend training in the use of tools needed for the assessment of cardiovascular disease including, but not limited to, a neurological examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac ultrasound.
- To develop proficiency in neurological assessment, use of a 12-lead ECG and cardiac ultrasound
- To perform a CVD assessment, including, as appropriate, a neurological assessment, a 12-lead ECG and cardiac ultrasound, of study participants.
- To undertake and document a structured clinical assessment and evaluation of study participants, focused on CVD disease.
- To review and communicate biochemistry and virology laboratory test results to study participants.
- To determine the eligibility of CVD patients for drug treatment in line with national CVD treatment guidelines.
- To arrange follow-up, where necessary, with study participants.
- To perform phlebotomy where blood samples are required from study participants in the CVD study
- Voluntary HIV counselling/testing of study participants: it is requirement that applicants have existing HCT certification, acquired within 5 years of application.
- To take consent from study participants to undergo clinical investigations as part of the CVD research study.
- Interviewing study participants in an appropriate language, with attention to identification procedures and careful recording of details on appropriate forms.
- Updating appropriate government registers in an accurate and timely manner
- Pre-booking or confirming some participants for upcoming visits by phone calls in liaison with field supervisor
- Reporting results of study tests and investigations to participants clearly, using appropriate language, and providing basic lifestyle counselling
Project management
- To liaise with collaborating clinical services where study participants require drug initiation or onwards referral.
- Maintaining study registers and responding to queries from the data office and laboratory promptly and accurately.
- To collaborate with other clinical and non-clinical MEIRU staff to ensure eligible participants are supported to attend the study CVD or NCD clinic, when appropriate.
- To audit study performance, provide monthly progress reports and identify areas for improvement.
- To travel between Chilumba and Lilongwe when required to participate in training or to conduct study duties in the urban or rural arm of the CVD study, as appropriate.
Community engagement
- To assist with community engagement activities including community-based briefing, sensitization and feedback relevant to the CVD study
- To assist in data audit and routine dissemination of research outputs to the national and regional stakeholders.
- To assist in analysis and writing scientific papers for publication related to the CVD research
Overarching
- Learning and following the essential principles of the project specific protocols, procedures and data management.
- Undergoing or refreshing training relating to general principles of research conduct and MEIRU-specific policies
- To collaborate with other MEIRU colleagues, including administrative, technical, data, laboratory, clinical, field and science staff.
- To at all times ensure good representation of Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit (MEIRU) and their harmonious relations with health services and the wider community.
- To at all times, ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with MEIRU’s health and safety policy and abide by Terms and conditions of service.
- To perform other duties as requested relevant to skills and experience.
Place in Management Structure: The incumbent reports to specific project Study Leaders and Research Managers. There are no individuals reporting to the incumbent.
Specific Responsibilities (e.g. planning, organisation, guidance, supervision, training, monitoring and control). The individual will be expected to plan and conduct their work in line with procedures and targets set by Study Leaders and Research Managers
Please note that this job description is not exhaustive and duties may vary from time to time in the light of changing circumstances, after consultation with you.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The ideal candidate would possess the following characteristics, although it is recognised that potential applicants might fulfil each of these criteria to a greater or lesser extent:
Minimum (Essential) Qualifications:
Minimum of Diploma in clinical medicine from a highly recognised institution of higher learning
Registered with Medical Council in Malawi
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Good oral and written communication skills in English and Chichewa
- Willingness and aptitude for learning new skills
- Attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness
- Ability to undertake a structured clinical history and examination
- Ability to perform phlebotomy
- Ability to use a computer and tablet and software including MS-Word and MS-Excel.
- Ability to supervise staff
- Ability to summarise information and provide progress reports
- Ability to work both independently and as part of the team
- Ability to see projects through to completion
- Able to work to complete work in a timely manner
- Able to maintain confidentiality
Desirable
- Good spoken Chitumbuka and other relevant local language(s) in Karonga District
- Existing HCT certification, acquired within 5 years of application
- 3 years post-diploma clinical experience in any role
- Clinical experience of cardiovascular disease
- Experience in the use of 12-lead ECG
- Experience in the use of ultrasound
- Experience performing cardiography
- Evidence of training/certification in ultrasound
- Willingness and ability to learn to ride a motorbike, and to travel as a passenger on motorbike
- Willingness to complete HCT certification, if indicated
- Previous experience in electronic data capture
- Willingness and ability to work long hours, which will include:
- Early morning shifts starting from 5am and travel around the district
- Some weekend shifts