Job Description

Job SummaryAdditional information:

• Wits VIDA Research Unit conducts cutting-edge scientific research
• The Unit aims to save lives across Africa and, low and middle-income countries through translational research that informs local and global policy recommendations on infectious diseases and the use of next-generation and novel vaccines
• Wits VIDA's research is focused on the clinical and molecular epidemiology of vaccine-preventable disease, clinical development and evaluation of vaccines, the study of the immunology of vaccines including in people living with HIV, and basic science research aimed at the discovery of potential vaccine epitopes
• The Klebsiella II and GBS neurodevelopmental assessment projects are a component of the Pediatrics and Neonatal Surveillance (PNS) portfolio
• This comprehensive portfolio encompasses viral and bacterial surveillance in infants and young children admitted to various hospitals
• The studies within this portfolio delve into the origins and transmission of infectious diseases among different populations
• Furthermore, they explore preventative and containment strategies to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases specifically in children

Main purpose of the job:

• Responsible for coordinating all aspects of clinical research study activities and ensuring that clinical research projects are delivered and conducted smoothly and effectively

Location:

• VIDA - Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Coronationville - Johannesburg

Key performance areas:Screening & Enrolment

• Oversee study-specific patient recruitment, pre-screening, screening, and enrolment of eligible patients according to protocol requirements
• Pro-actively identify and troubleshoot obstacles in the screening and pre-screening process
• Conduct study-specific training as required
• Oversee adequate study-specific files and record maintenance
• Assist staff with study-related queries during screening and enrolment
• Enforce procedures, policies, practices, and standards of the facility
• Perform study-related procedures including but not limited to blood draws, vaginal and rectal swabs, and nasopharyngeal aspirates/swabs on infants and young children
• Store swabs and blood samples and facilitate the transportation of samples to the VIDA laboratory
• Carry out verbal interviews with the mothers or legally acceptable representatives of participants according to SOPs

Follow-ups & Research Administration

• Oversee maintenance of adequate study-specific records including paper logs and electronic logs
• Oversee management and printing of up-to-date versions of study source documents
• Oversee retention of follow-up participants according to the study protocol, and pro-actively troubleshoot and identify areas of concern
• Track study participants in-hospital as well as post-hospital discharge to ensure that all follow-up eligible participants attend the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year face-to-face clinical visit
• Maintain logs to remind study staff of the dates of follow-up of study participants
• Liaise with the designated pediatricians to carry out follow-up neurodevelopmental assessment
• Oversee relevant study stock management and ensure adequate stock levels are always maintained, and expired stock is sent for destruction timeously
• Prepare daily and weekly statistics for the site
• Present daily and weekly statistics to the principal investigator and senior study personnel as and when required

Data Quality Assurance & Control

• Ensure all study activities are conducted according to a high standard of quality
• Oversee resolution of any CRF, QC, and data queries
• Oversee adequate and completeness of participant filing storage in collaboration with the QA team
• Collaborate with the data manager to regularly monitoring and audit the database, including data verification, run data quality rules to check for duplicates, and ensure protocol adherence
• Review quality assurance records, audit reports, corrective actions, and compliance documentation
• Review reports on quality control findings, audit results, and corrective actions by the quality assurance team

Staff Management

• Ensure that necessary performance management of all employees is done timeously. i.e., Probationary appraisals, one-on-ones, performance reviews, etc.
• Attend to all staffing requirements and administration i.e. time sheets, leave forms, etc.
• Supervise and manage the duties of subordinates daily by being involved on the floor
• Identifying staff training needs and being involved with addressing these needs under senior supervision
• Assist the team with ad hoc assignments and duties
• Mentor, coach, and facilitate personal and professional staff development where possible

Effective Self-Management & Performance Ownership

• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrate effective self-management
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback
• Take ownership of driving your own career development by participating in ongoing training and development activities such as workshops, forums, conferences, etc.
• Participate and give input in ad hoc projects and initiatives

Customer Service

• Act in a professional and friendly manner in all dealings with internal and external stakeholders
• Always show a high level of customer-centricity
• Build and maintain authentic relationships with all stakeholders ensuring that all interactions are professional

Required minimum education and training:

• Professional Nurse or equivalent Degree in Health Science related field
• A valid GCP Certificate is advantageous
• SANC or HPCSA registration

Required minimum work experience:

• 3 years of work experience with 2 years of research environment experience and 1 year of experience coordinating research studies

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Clinical research experience
• Excellent clinical skills
• Driver's license
• Computer literacy in MS Word and Excel
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Attention to detail
• Motivated
• Organized
• Friendly
• Professional

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: 23 May 2024.
• 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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