Fresh Jobs at Aga Khan University Hospital

Job Summary

To ensure safe, compliant, and competent management of administration of Investigational Products (chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other therapies) for participants on research trials.

Responsibilities

• Comply with and promote adherence of the institutional and Clinical Research Unit’s policies, SOP’s and confidentiality.
• Attend, participate and contribute in staff meetings and Unit activities, including preparing and presenting regular activity reports.
• Engage in continuing education, training and skill development.
• Practice ICH-GCP, good documentation practices, as well as ensure compliance of ICH-GCP.
• Perform comprehensive patient assessment prior to, during, and after treatment and monitor patients for reactions and adverse events. Initiate appropriate management in liaison with the nurse manager and investigator/designee.
• Assess patients to ensure their physical condition, blood parameters, etc. are satisfactory to safely receive treatment according to treatment protocols / regimes.
• Administer chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other investigational medicinal products (oral, sub-cutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous/port-a-cath, etc.) as per study and institutional safety standards.
• Perform routine technical procedures such as vital signs, I/V cannulation, ECG, drug administration, etc. as per policies and procedures of AKUH, N and approved research protocols.
• Provide laboratory support services including phlebotomy and collection/handling of required specimens (e.g., stool, urine, nasal swabs) using standard techniques as per institutional practices.
• Provide information regarding treatment and sidpe effects to patients, such that they are prepared for their specific treatment.
• Involved with obtaining informed consent from participants, as necessary.
• Observe and follow infection control guidelines while caring for central venous lines, port-a-cath and be able to advise patients about care of those lines in the home setting.   
• Recognize and provide psychological and emotional support to patients and their families and be able to refer to counsellors when appropriate.
• Closely monitor patients undergoing treatments and be able to identify reactions/complications.
• Be prompt to communicate any adverse reactions/complications to the physician, CRC and nurse manager, and to participate in management of adverse reactions including Anaphylactic shock, extravasation, etc.
• Plan, organize, and engage in the day to day clinical and related research study activities under the direction of, and in consultation with the Principal Investigator and study team.
• Review research patients and plan daily tasks and study flow in treatment conjunction with the other study team members (pharmacy, lab, regulatory, etc.).
• Coordinate study patient visit schedules and work with the unit coordinator to book their treatments in the calendar.
• Document and maintain accurate records (such as, patients’ assessment, subject specific specimens collected) as part of source documentation and EHR requirements.
• Use communication skills to enhance and augment patient’s knowledge and understanding of their specific treatment and progress.
• Maintain timely records of treatment suite infusion logs, temperature monitoring logs & crash cart checklist.
• Perform monthly crash cart checks and liaison with nurse manager/ patient services coordinator for near expiry of crash cart items.
• Maintain logs for infusion related reactions for CRU treatment suite.
• Assist in other related tasks in times of low activity in the treatment suite.
• Participate in data collection and monitoring of unit-based quality indicators.
• Assist the manager to design and deliver unit-based nursing education, implement  quality improvement (QI) projects, perform audits, spot checks and skill checks.
• Be accountable for judicious and efficient use of resources (i.e. accurate and timely billing of ward stock drugs and consumables).
• Ensure compliance with established health and safety guidelines and maintain safe environment for staff and patients, reporting any accidents, incidents, hazards or equipment defects in accordance with regulatory and institutional policies.
• Any other duties may be assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (preferred); will consider Diploma in Nursing, only if candidate has significant past clinical experience
• Must have a valid and active Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) license
• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) required
• Certification for Advanced Care Life Support (ACLS) required

Relevant Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of work experience as a nurse in a hospital or related setting in inpatient and/or outpatient services with demonstrated knowledge and competencies in nursing clinical practices applied to direct patient care.
• Oncology/chemotherapy administration experience.
• Excellent knowledge in nursing practice, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Prior experience in operating basic medical equipment (e.g., Infusion pump, ECG machine, etc.).
• Versatility to work in a variety of related roles such as clinical/nursing care, patient services support, lab/bio-specimen processing, data management.
• Proficiency in use of computers and basic office software (Outlook, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication - written and verbal.
• Excellent organizational capabilities and ability to handle diverse tasks for multiple studies (and clinics) simultaneously.
• Strong self-initiative while working as part of a team
• Maturity & ability to work independently.
• Ability to handle stressful situations and meet deadlines
• Customer service skills
• Demonstrate accuracy
• Attention to detail
• Culturally sensitive
• Empathic
• Good patient care and support skills

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Job Summary

The Clinical Research Nurse plays a crucial role in the conduct of clinical trials and research studies. Responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities aimed at ensuring the safety, well-being and compliance of research participants, as well as the integrity of the research data.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit eligible participants for Phase ≥1 clinical trials.
• Screen potential participants based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Explain the details of the Phase ≥1 clinical trial to potential participants.
• Obtain informed consent from participants, ensuring they understand the risks, benefits, and procedures involved, in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and human subjects protection.
• Administer investigational drugs or treatment/other interventions to participants according to the study protocol.
• Monitor participants closely for any adverse reactions or side effects during and after drug administration.
• Conduct regular assessments of vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.
• Document and report any abnormalities or changes in vital signs.
• Perform physical assessments and clinical evaluations as specified in the study protocol.
• Monitor and document any changes in participants' health status.
• Promptly report any adverse events or serious adverse events to the study investigator and appropriate regulatory authorities.
• Collaborate with the principal investigator, study coordinator, and other team members to ensure the smooth conduct of the trial.
• Provide regular updates on participant status and study progress.
• Ensure strict adherence to the study protocol and regulatory requirements.
• Document all study-related activities accurately and in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.
• Collect and process blood samples for pharmacokinetic or other analysis, as specified in the study protocol.
• Educate participants about the purpose of the Phase ≥1 clinical trial, the investigational product, and potential side effects.
• Be trained and prepared to respond to medical emergencies that may arise during the trial.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of all participant interactions, assessments, and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and assist in preparing for regulatory inspections.
• Follow safety guidelines and procedures to protect both participants and staff involved in the study.
• Any other assignment that is deemed appropriate for this level.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Nursing OR Diploma in Nursing with at least 5 years’ research experience
• Current licensure with the Nursing Council of Kenya
• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS)
• CITI/ Research training preferred

Relevant Experience

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a nurse in a hospital setting in inpatient and/or outpatient services with demonstrated knowledge and competencies in nursing clinical practices applied to direct patient care
• Sound working knowledge of Good Clinical Practices (GCPSs), clinical trial processes, nursing patient care, biomaterials handling, and health safety practices
• Prior experience in operating basic medical equipment (e.g., infusion pump, ECG Machine, etc.)

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

• Excellent written and Verbal communication skills
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
• Strong critical thinking and Analytical skills
• Ability to multitask and handle diverse sets of tasks for multiple studies and clinics simultaneously
• Demonstrate proactivity and ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to be flexible and work in a variety of related roles
• Proficient in MS Office
• Empathetic, culturally sensitive with a high level of respect for colleagues, patients and their families