Research Assistant Nurse, Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health (CoEWCH) at Aga Khan University Hospital

Job Summary

This position is based at public health facilities in Kaloleni and Rabai sub-counties in Kilifi county. The successful candidate is required to contribute to recruitment of participants, data collection and follow-up for the research studies of the PRECISE network at the Kenya site. These will primarily be: The PRECISE (Pregnancy Care Integrating Translational science everywhere) study and the PRECISE-DYAD (Linking maternal and infant health trajectories in sub-Saharan Africa) and other related sub studies.

The successful candidate will be required to support the study activities at the health facility. This will include screening and recruitment of study participants, clinical and non-clinical data collection, sample collection and handling. Additional study procedures including anthropometry, maternal and child clinical procedures, simple ultrasound procedures, child development assessments, collection of special biological samples and performing bedside/ point of care tests. He / She will obtain training on any specialised clinical procedures or tests.

He / She will be required to comply with stipulated guidelines on all study activities. The study nurse will be required to be sensitive and considerate throughout with participants, their families and other health facility staff. He / She will be the face of the study to the community and the larger health facility team and will be required to communicate to families and community members as appropriate and at all times to display a professional attitude.

The role will include some local travel within the study area – between health facilities and to communities. The role may require shift work including nights, weekends and public holidays.

The nurse is required to have and maintain active nursing practice licenses in Kenya and will be required to contribute to clinical care at the respective health care facilities.

 Responsibilities

• Liaise with health facility staff to identify potentially eligible study participants for recruitment into specific studies and sub-studies;
• Contribute to screening and recruitment of study participants including provision of informed consent;
• Clinical and non-clinical data collection for study participants;
• Perform anthropometric measurements and vital signs measurements for study participants;
• Contribute to collection, transport and logging of biological samples for the study and where applicable for clinical activity;
• Contribute to initial processing of biological samples under supervision of the laboratory staff;
• Conduct clinical measurements and clinical tests for the study;
• Conduct special study procedures for the study;
• Support health facility staff in obtaining and recording other data relevant for the study;
• Contribute to follow up of participants in their homes and communities;
• Create daily and monthly summary reports for activities as guided by the study coordinator;
• Communicate to families and community members about the study, as appropriate and as guided by the Study Coordinator;
• Attend training sessions and obtain relevant competency in data collection and informed consent and other skills essential for delivery of his/her role;
• Attend any refresher training as and when required;
• Regularly report any relevant events that affect the study to the Study Coordinator;
• As guided by the study coordinator, plan for data collection activities on a weekly and monthly basis to maximize efficiency of work and travel;
• Conduct all study activities in adherence to provided guidelines and protocols and with utmost confidentiality and ethical practice;
• For selected participants, conduct home follow-up visit to collect relevant data for the study; and
• Any other responsibility as allocated by the Study Coordinator. This may include activities in the community and activities in other studies within the Centre of Excellence Women and Child Health.

Requirements

• Diploma in Kenya Registered Nurse Midwife or Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse or equivalent;
• Valid Practicing license from the Nursing Council of Kenya;
• Basic Computer literacy and training in Microsoft Office Suite;
• Experience working at the maternity unit, antenatal care unit or child health units at hospital or health Centre level;
• At least 1-year experience at a busy health facility;
• Experience working at public health care facilities;
• Experience in research activities at community or health facility level;
• Experience in mobile data collection tools; and
• Experience in collecting and handling biological samples.

Closing Date: 11, April, 2023