Research Nurse Co-ordinator

SUMMARY:
The University of Cape Town Lung Institute requires applications for a Research Nurse Coordinator* on a Fixed Term Contract to work for the MRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, based at Dora Nginza Hospital, Gqeberha.
 
The MRC Unit is an accredited research unit established to undertake research in key areas of child health of major importance in low- and middle- income settings, including pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV-associated illness. The Eastern Cape Site of the MRC Unit, based at Dora Nginza Hospital, Gqeberha, was established in 2017, and has produced high-quality clinical research in Paediatric TB Diagnostics, with a strong capacity development arm.
 
The main purpose of the Research Nurse Coordinator is to support the tuberculosis clinical research team – including screening and enrolment of new participants (with clinical procedures and other nursing care), data quality control, overseeing the research counsellor, and stock control. The incumbent will work alongside the study medical officer, medical laboratory scientist, research administrative clerk; and with local paediatricians and community healthcare workers; and remotely, with the MRC CHILD Unit team at Red Cross Children’s Hospital.
 
We invite applications from suitably qualified candidates. This position will start as soon as possible.

POSITION INFO:
Minimum Requirements:

• Diploma or Degree in Nursing
• SANC registration as a Professional/Registered Nurse
• 5-10 years’ experience in Paediatric and Adolescent clinical work
• Previous experience working with paediatric patients with tuberculosis (TB)
• Phlebotomy skills in children
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Excel, Word), smartphone literacy
• Oral, written, and reading fluency in English

• Experience with obtaining induced sputum in children
• Experience in a clinical research setting
• Patient interviewing and counselling skills
• Good Clinical Practice Certificate
• Proficiency with REDCap
• Phlebotomy experience with newborns
• Fluency in one other official language (Afrikaans or isiXhosa)
• Good quality and high standard of working, accuracy and attention to detail
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team

• Performing screening for studies in hospital wards of possible TB participants
• Performing enrolment of participants into studies including study questionnaires and clinical procedures
• Performing clinical procedures such as phlebotomy, TB skin tests, mouth & nasal swabs, induced sputum, nasopharyngeal swabs etc.
• Performing quality control of case report forms (CRFs)
• Management of lab results and referrals
• Liaise with laboratory staff regarding samples taken and sample tracking
• Maintain inventory of study consumables for clinical care and investigations (to prevent stock outs)
• Prepare weekly and monthly statistics for study reports
• Oversight of study research counsellor

• 12-month Fixed Term Contract
• Full-Time (40 hours per week; Monday to Friday)