Job Description

More info:

The MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt) is an exceptional health and population research center in the Wits School of Public Health. The Unit supports a major research infrastructure underpinned by a health and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS), a form of longitudinal population registration, covering the Agincourt sub-district of rural Mpumalanga Province adjacent to Mozambique that has been in operation since 1992 coupled with observational and interventional studies along the life course. Taking a life course approach, the Unit undertakes interdisciplinary observational and interventional research, collaborating with scientists from South African, Sub-Saharan African, United Kingdom/European, and North American institutions.

The successful candidate will join a talented and hardworking team addressing some of the country and regionxe2x80x99s most pressing health and development challenges. The successful candidate will work closely with the Unitxe2x80x99s researchers and international collaborators in undertaking novel, cutting-edge work relating to the diagnosis and management of pneumonia (including TB) in both adults and children presenting to hospitals in rural Mpumalanga. The candidate will be expected to work closely with the project manager and oversee day-to-day aspects of field operations, including organizing and supervising the collection of quality data. Special attention will be given to candidates with good clinical acumen, and previous field management experience as well as candidates with demonstrated scientific output in the form of conference presentations, publications, or grants.

Main purpose of the job:

• To improve the health of rural South Africans through novel interventions by overseeing the day-to-day aspects of field operations and processes to ensure that the outputs are delivered on time with the desired outcomes

Location:

• Tintswalo Hospital, Acornhoek - Bushbuckridge (Mpumalanga Province) - Willingness to relocate to the Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga area is essential - Please note, offices at Tintswalo Hospital are also commutable from Hoedspruit, Limpopo

Key Performance areas:

Clinical skills

• Undertake rigorous, project-specific training on point-of-care Lung Ultrasound acquisition and interpretation, as well as specimen retrieval and storage
• Properly undertake Lung Ultrasound acquisition, interpretation, and specimen collection (blood, nasopharyngeal swab, dried blood spot) using specific study protocols
• Liaise with senior team members and a panel of experts for clinical support to maintain a high quality of data collection and image interpretation
• Assist in capturing medical data from participant folders and assist in the translation of hospital records into reliable study data
• Coordinate with the laboratory team with regard to on-site specimen storage and shipment to the Wits-Agincourt Lab for processing
• Support team members in communicating procedures and research findings to treating clinicians (where indicated), patients, and potentially community members
• Convene and moderate a panel of experts to determine likely diagnoses of participants based on collected data (e.g., clinical findings, radiography, ultrasound, biomarkers, etc.)
• Liaise with relevant local health authorities, including the local hospital and Department of Health staff

Project Management & Administration

• Supervise a field team with varying skills, including planning daily activities to meet recruitment and follow-up targets
• Assist with on-site data quality monitoring xe2x80x93 running regular checks for consent forms, and missing/unexpected data, as well as working with the Data Manager to identify and resolve any problems that arise
• Maintain site documentation in keeping with Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Write and update working instructions and ensure compliance
• Schedule and lead regular project meetings
• Draft, review, and assist with submitting ethics applications and other relevant study documents
• Support ongoing work with the MRC/Wits-Agincourt Unit by responding to all reasonable requests made by Unit scientists, including organizing meetings, responding to queries, and participating in day-to-day activities within a world-renowned research unit

Communication

• Update the study investigators and Agincourt field managers on the study progress xe2x80x93 including regular written reports
• Meet regularly with Unit scientific staff.

Scientific output

• Collate project statistics regularly
• Present project progress at weekly study meetings
• Participate, and where applicable, lead the production of manuscripts emanating from the research

Required minimum education and training:

• Degree in Clinical Sciences (preferably MBBCh or BCMP or Professional nurse) is required, though other clinically relevant degrees with proven clinical experience will be considered
• Computer skills with knowledge of MS Office suite of programs
• Driverxe2x80x99s license with experience driving (owning a car, preferable)

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of project management with clinical experience
• Working experience in a low- or middle-income country

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Clinical and/or research management proficiency, with at least 2 years of experience strongly recommended
• Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills
• Ability to work with and manage a diverse team
• Excellent report-writing skills
• Effective time management skills and ability to work independently and under pressure

TO APPLY:

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 08 September 2023.
• Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.
• Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Please note:

• AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.

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