Medecins San Frontieres Medical Research Manager Jobs in South Africa
South Africa's health, humanitarian, and socio-economic problems are characterized by extreme inequalities and misdistribution of resources.
Thirteen per cent of the population lives in "first world" conditions, while nearly 50% live in poverty, characterised by poor housing and limited access to basic services, such as water, sanitation, electricity and primary education.
Worldwide, South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV - at 6.8 million - and the largest antiretroviral therapy programme, the highest incidence of tuberculosis - with an increasing drug resistant TB epidemic –, and the highest recorded rate of rape.
Migrants are at increased risk of violence and have limited access to health care.
MSF currently runs a project in Khayelitsha, Western Cape that is piloting innovative models of care towards increased testing, linking, successfully treating (undetectable) and retaining people with HIV/TB, including DR-TB.
In addition to medical service delivery, MSF conducts operational research, training and mentoring, and advocacy towards policy change in the areas of HIV, TB, sexual violence, vulnerable migrants, and patent law reform in South Africa.
MSF has created the Welcome Services Model in health facilities in Khayelitsha.
MSF has created the Welcome Services Model in health facilities in Khayelitsha.
The aims are:
To create a welcoming environment and staff approach in health facilities and in community care
To reduce morbidity by rapid clinical diagnostics and interventions in advanced disease with POCT testing (CD4, TB LAM)
To facilitate rapid ART switch when indicated, and rapid ART re- start when needed
to improve return to care, treatment outcomes, and retention in care for those who have struggled to manage their HIV
To use a multi-disciplinary approach across the Welcome Services
Based in Khayelitsha: The Medical Research Manager will be defining, coordinating and monitoring the research related and operational activities under his/her responsibility according to MoH and MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the delivery of quality programmatic and research results contributing to improve the health condition of the target population
Requirements:
Education & Registrations
Medical Doctor, Desirable diploma in HIV Management
A medical degree/ MBChB degree
Current registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
Desirable Good Clinical Practice Certificate
South African citizenship or a valid work visa
Experience
At least two years’ experience in managing HIV/TB care and treatment in a in a lower socio-economic context (essential)
Proven experience in patient management in primary care based facilities in South Africa (preferred)
Languages
English (fluent, spoken / written)
isiXhosa (advantageous)
Competencies
Word, Excel, PowerPoint and all other basic office software (essential)
Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to analyze and interpret data and write written reports
Strong interest in the care and treatment of people with HIV
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work in a team
Principle Activities and Responsibilities:
Coordinating, assessing and supervising the proper functioning of the research related tasks and general field research activities, according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the quality and continuity of research and care for the target population.
Coordinating, assessing and supervising the proper functioning of the Welcome Service according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the quality and continuity of care for the target population.
Knows and ensures all MSF medical protocols are followed and implemented, checking universal precautions are followed at all times and reducing bio-hazard risks and improving infection control. Ensures professional confidentiality is respected
Participating in the definition of annual planning and budget for the research project.
Supervising and ensuring that all research objectives under his/her responsibility are achieved, reporting to the HIV MAM in case of any problems arising in relation to the research activities.
Ensuring an efficient pharmacy management. Check and control the rational distribution of medicines and equipment under his/her responsibility and take care the quality, disinfection and sterilization of the medical material. Assure general compliance with standing hygiene standards.
Coordinating and monitoring the
daily working plan of the team under his/her responsibility (absent personnel, vacations, tracking leaves )
Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training, performance evaluation, development and internal communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to improve staff capabilities and to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required
Participating in the monthly reports according to guidelines (i.e. SitReps, medical statistical reports, etc.).
Coordinate the mentoring of doctors and nurses to apply medical knowledge and skills to diagnosis and prevention, carry out outpatient and inpatient consultations, prescribing the necessary treatment respecting MSF protocols.
Coordinate the mentoring of doctors and nurses to keep the patient and/or his/her family informed about the illness and provide appropriate explanations about the treatment to follow, checking they have understood.
Coordinate the mentoring of counselors to provide appropriate support to patients
Coordinate the strengthening and maintenance of referral links and participate in health system strengthening to support the Welcome Service
Participate in the collection and analysis of epidemiological data, checking its validity and informing the line manager or project coordinator about any problem or complication of the patients’ illness, medical error and monitors the proper functioning of the department, equipment or material.
Context Specific Accountabilities
Coordinate the Welcome Services in the clinics.
Coordinate and implement the training and mentorship of the clinic staff involved with Welcome Services
Monitor the Welcome Servies indicators and contribute to adapting and strengthening the services.
Participate in content creation for the Welcome Services Social Media and Advocacy Campaign
Participate in the Health Systems strengthening activites through the Welcome Services
Coordinate the expansion of the Welcome Services to key populations e.g. youth, paediatrics, and to other clinics within Khayelitsha.
Work with the MSF team as well as CIDER and health care partners across the Khayelitsha HIV health facilities and community to identify potentially eligible HIV patients for the Welcome Services
Assess patients as to eligibility for rapid clinical POCTs and interventions and mentor the staff to perform this function
Assess patients as to eligibility for ART switches, including dolutegravir, in Welcome Services model, including completing application forms and submitting to DoH and mentor the staff to perform this function
Assess patients as to need for rapid or delayed ART start or re-start and mentor the staff to perform this function
Monitor clinical progress of patients with advanced HIV, re-engaging in care, and after ART switches, starts and re-starts in Khayelitsha facilities, and mentor the staff to perform this function
Provide medical support to clinicians and other facility staff in the management of these patients.
Identify and document all adverse events in all Khayelitsha patients started on new drugs / regimens, even if subsequently managed outside of Khayelitsha (but within Cape Metro) and mentor the staff to perform this function
Complete and file reports on all Serious Adverse Events to DoH, MSF, pharmaceutical companies and SA regulatory authorities for all Khayelitsha patients on new drugs/regimens within the timeframe of operational research.
Attend clinical and programmatic meetings related to HIV in Khayelitsha on behalf of MSF.
Assist the rest of the MSF HIV WS team with activities related to monitoring and evaluation, operational research and HIV/TB psychosocial support as well as mentoring of clinic staff.
Contribute to advocacy activities within the MSF HIV-WBS team, and Khayelitsha project as a whole.
Develop and undertake training in advanced HIV and the multidisciplinary approach to HIV patients
Job Advantages and Career opportunities:
Experience in a well-known and professionally recognized international medical humanitarian organization
Salary package comparable to other non-profit organizations
100% medical aid ► 13th Cheque► Pension Fund
How to apply
please email a one page application letter, your comprehensive CV with details of 3 contactable referees to: msfocb-khayelitsha-depfc@brussels.msf.org Closing date: 13th August 2018. Only short listed applicants will be contacted.
For more information and job application details, see; Médecins Sans Frontières Medical Research Manager Jobs in SouthSudan
