Medical Research Council Jobs Feb 2013

The Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI) Uganda Research Unit on IDS is seeking keen, experienced and suitably qualified Ugandans to join a team of dedicated clinical and research staff working on a trial of Adjunctive Dexamethasone in HIV infected Adults with Cryptococcal Meningitis. The posts will be based at the Unit’s stations in Entebbe and Masaka. 

Terms: These positions will be remunerated according to the Ugandan MRC/UVRI Unit systems. The initial appointments will be for a period of up to 2 years with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

1. Position: Senior Medical Officer/ Study Coordinator (1 )

Duty Station: Entebbe.

Reports to: Project Leader

Key roles and responsibilities;

• Offer supervisory leadership and training to a study research team comprising of nurses, counselors, field workers, laboratory technologists and data management personnel.

• Provide technical support and develop clinic work plans and ensuring their implementation.

• Develop and implement recruitment strategies and ensuring that the trial is carried out in a timely manner and according to GCP.

• Responsible for day to day in-patient and Out-patients care to trial patients and referral of clinical emergencies.

• Coordinate patient tests and procedures, collect data as required by the protocol.

• Provide comprehensive HIV/AIDS care service to patients including ART services at the health facility.

• Offer clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of common opportunistic infections among patients in the trial.

• Establish and organizes study files e.g. study master file, participant files; prepare and present trial progress reports.

• Develop and implement recruitment strategies, assure timely completion of CRFs, maintain study timelines, maintain adequate inventory of study supplies, perform Investigational Product (IP) accountability, complete study documentation and maintain study files.

• Coordination with other section heads and staff e.g. administration, data management, laboratories, community liaisons’ office, etc.

• Liaison with staff of Entebbe Hospital and other health facilities in the area.

• Coordinate clinic activities to ensure timely, accurate and high quality data is collected within standard ethical procedures.

Education, skills and Experience required.

• Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from a recognized university

• A master’s degree in Internal Medicine, Epidemiology, Public Health or other related disciplines is an added advantage

• Up to date registration with Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council.

• At least 2 years post-internship proven knowledge and experience in HIV/AIDS and ART care.

• Proven experience in in-patient care of critically ill patients.

• Experience in conducting and supervising clinic visits to ensure that all clinical procedures are conducted according to National Recommendations and Guidelines.

Others

• Good managerial and organizational skills

• Computer literate and able to use Microsoft Office programs

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate in an effective manner.

• Knowledge, skills and experience in research and research methodologies

• Current GCP training certificate

• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.

• Fluency in English and Luganda

2. Position: Pharmacy Technician (1 )

Duty Station: Entebbe.

Reports to: Pharmacist

Key roles and responsibilities;

• Day to day dispensing and accountability activities of drugs including Investigational Product (IP).

• Monitoring drug/IP stocks and timely preparation of orders.

• Monitoring drug/IP expiry.

• Developing and maintaining pharmacy SOPs under supervision of the Pharmacist.

• Drug/IP integrity- storage, preparation and dispensing, emergency transfer, accountability and disposal, and documentation of all these processes.

• Routine and preventive maintenance of pharmacy equipment e.g. fridges, freezers, safety cabinet etc.

• Temperature monitoring.

• Supervision of nurses whenever they assist in dispensing drugs.

Education, skills and Experience required.

• Diploma in Pharmacy is essential

• Up to date registration with Allied Health Professionals Council.

• Additional training in other relevant areas e.g. Public Health, Research methods and ICP/GCP is added advantage

• At least 2 years practice in a clinical setting is essential.

• Experience in clinical trial setting is desirable.

• Comprehensive and current understanding of common pharmaceutical products especially those used in HIV/ AIDS Care is essential.

• Understanding of ICH/GCP guidelines on human research and computer literacy with proficiency in word and excel are desirable. 

Others

• Personal integrity, resourcefulness, forward and analytical thinking, reliability and openness, are core desirable attributes.

3. Position: Study Nurse (1 )

Duty Station: Masaka

Reports to: Project Leader.

Key roles and responsibilities;

• Carry out medical procedures related to the clinical trial.

• Provide in-patient and out-patients medical care to study patients.

• Provide detailed study information to patients or their acceptable representatives and obtain informed consent from them.

• Completion and maintenance of screening and enrollment logs.

• Participate in data collection through administration of study questionnaires.

• Perform phlebotomy, collection and handling of laboratory samples in the hospital wards and ensure their safe and timely transportation to MRC Laboratories.

• Perform simple rapid screening tests in the wards and track laboratory results to ensure timely feedback to clinicians and patients.

• Dispense prescribed study drugs and other treatment according to study protocol guidelines.

• Report adverse events to study clinicians/Coordinator, store patient folders and resolution of data queries.

• Review and update clinic supplies and make requisitions appropriately.

• Track participants by phone or through field workers to ensure attendance of study visits.

• Offer appropriate health education and counselling to patients and their attendants.

• Prepare regular clinic/ward reports and suggest improvement in clinic management. 

Education, skills and Experience required.

• Diploma in Nursing or comprehensive Nursing.

• Registration with Uganda Nurses and Midwifery Council.

• A minimum of 4 years working hospital experience including care for in-patients and the critically ill.

• Certificate in HIV/AIDS counseling and testing and ICP/ GCP training is added advantage.

• Fluency in English and Luganda.

4. Position: Assistant Laboratory Technologist (1 )

Duty Station: Masaka

Reports to: Laboratory Manager

Key roles and responsibilities;

• Handles samples and performs analytical procedures under the supervision of the Laboratory Technologist

• Preparation of sample aliquots and storage at appropriate temperature

• Daily monitoring and recording of freezer temperatures

• Reception, identification and ensuring chain of custody of Trial samples according to GCLP procedures

• Data entry into the laboratory data management systems

• Abide by laboratory Health and Safety Procedures

Education, skills and Experience required;

• Must Have a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology

• Current registration with Allied Health Professionals Council.

• At least two years working experience in a clinical laboratory environment.

• GCLP training and computer literacy are desirable.

• Working experience in a laboratory clinical research trials environment is added advantage.

Start date: As soon as possible

Applications including copies of academic qualifications, curriculum vitae, cover letter clearly indicating position applied for and names plus telephone and email contact of three relevant referees should be addressed to:

The Human Resource and Administration Manager

MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS

P.O. Box 49 Entebbe

OR send by email to: mrc@mrcuganda.org

Closing date is 8th March 2013 at 05:00pm

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.