Field Study Coordinator Intern at Philips

Supervision:

The staff will be reporting to the project team lead(s) and Head of Research (Philips R&D East Africa) and work closely with the study PI and/or co-PI at the health facility.

Reports to: Department Head Research Africa

STUDY TITLE: ASSESSMENT OF A DIGITAL LABOUR AND DELIVERY SOLUTION FOR KENYA

Background:

Pregnancy is typically divided into three phases, namely: antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum phase. The intrapartum phase, usually lasting between 12 to 14 hours in a primigravida woman, requires intense monitoring as what was considered a low-risk pregnancy antenatally could develop into complicated one intrapartum. Some of the complications include: failure to progress, prolonged labour, obstructed labour, fetal distress, post-partum haemorrhage among others. These complications are documented as being responsible for approximately 42% of maternal deaths, 32% of stillbirths and 23% of neonatal deaths worldwide, thereby demonstrating the great need for intense monitoring of the progression of labour and delivery.

Literature has shown that gaps related to intrapartum teamwork, communication, intrapartum monitoring, communication tools used in labour and delivery scenarios have a great impact on labour and delivery progression monitoring and subsequently patient outcomes. The need for strengthening labour and delivery progression monitoring for improved documentation, review and hence better maternal and neonatal outcomes cannot be overemphasized.

Your challenge:

Philips, in an aim to ease capture of labour and delivery data and strengthen access and systematic monitoring of labour progression, has developed an intrapartum digital solution for use in limited-resource settings. The solution, inputted on an android device as an application, is planned for use by healthcare workers providing labour and delivery services.

The proposed exploratory study aims to test the applicability, benefits and limitations of the tablet-based digital labour and delivery solution (DLDS) in a low–resource healthcare setting. Additionally the study aims to:

• Assess the current use of the partograph and associated pain points of healthcare professionals
• Assess if the proposed DLDS solution can be used in different use cases (normal and/or abnormal labour and delivery scenarios)

Your challenge is to work with the Philips research study team in providing coordination and logistical support during the data collection activities at the selected facilities, working closely with the PI, co-PI and study participants. Additionally, you will participate and gain experience in other project areas, working with the team within R&D East Africa.

An overview of your tasks and deliverables:

• Work with the study team in preparation of study instruments and tools i.e. tablets, questionnaires etc.
• Coordinate in the planning and conduct of participating health worker orientation meetings
• Work with the study team to ensure logistics for the activities are in order.
• Provide logistical support and rapporteuring during orientation meetings and focus group discussions
• Coordinate the data collection activities at the facility, providing administrative, logistical and troubleshooting support in collaboration with the main study team.
• Document accurate and comprehensive progress of study data collection activities at the health facility.
• Conduct study tasks on other R&D project areas as assigned by the team leads and/or Head of Research, East Africa.
• Weekly technical update reports to project lead
• Weekly logistics update reports to project lead

Your team:

Philips Research is a global organization that helps Philips introduce meaningful innovations that improve people’s lives. We provide technology options for innovations in the area of health and well-being, targeted at both developed and emerging markets. Positioned at the front-end of the innovation process, we work on everything from spotting trends and ideation to proof of concept and – where needed – first-of-a-kind product development. 

We are looking for:

• Experience as a field data collector and/or coordinator
• Experience in a field setting, preferably government health facilities
• A basic degree or diploma in health sciences, social sciences, behavioral sciences, population studies, health systems research, or a related field
• Ability to coordinate administrative tasks and data collection activities
• Solid IT skills
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision making capabilities
• Team player with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Other important aspects are:

• a genuine technical curiosity
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• ability to work in an interdisciplinary scientific environment
• Good planning, management, organisation and co-ordination skills
• Initiative, keen to learn and proactive with the ability to work under minimal supervision
• Flexibility, adaptability, multi-tasking and attention to detail
• Conscientiousness, timeliness and willingness to work to meet deadlines

Place of Performance:

Majorly at Langata CLC Githurai and Ruiru sub-county hospital as per the tasks outlined for the study. Additionally, depending on other project team assignments additional locations may be included.

Our Offer:

At Philips, we are driven by our mission to improve the lives of 3 billion people per year by 2025, and every day we move closer to achieving our goal by creating cutting-edge solutions that lead to confident diagnosis, improved care, and increased quality of life for patients. Thanks to our employees who share our passion for improving lives, we are at the forefront of the Healthcare industry. We enable our employees to create a legacy in life through their work and support their development through people-centric learning, total rewards and personalized development planning programmes.

Employment Equity:

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.   Only apply for this role if you are a Kenyan Citizen and have the legal right to work in Kenya.