Medical Officer

Reference Number:        MO-12.13

Category:              Research, Science and Biotechnology

Salary:                  Kshs. 203, 965

Grade:                            7.11

Location:               Kilifi

Country:               Kenya

Summary: 

The objective is to recruit a young clinical trainee who is interested in clinical work and epidemiology. Initially, this is a two year research position that offers the officer an opportunity to get exposure to research through conducting a study on invasive bacterial disease in adults while participating in the provision of clinical care. The project aims to measure the indirect effect of the introduction of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine into the childhood immunization programme on adult pneumococcal disease and childhood pneumonia. If found suitable, the post holder will be funded to do a distance learning Masters course in Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 

REPORTING LINES:

The Post holder reports to the PIs on the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Impact Study (PCVIS) and the Adult Bacterial Diseases (ABD) studies and the Head of Clinical Services. The Post holder will supervise fieldworkers and ward clerks and will work with other clinicians, research nurses, ward nurses, ward clerks, project monitors and statisticians.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The post holder will be involved in the PCVIS and will be responsible for clinical surveillance on the adult wards and also for collecting, collating and cataloging radiographs from children presenting to Kilifi District Hospital.

1. Together with the Study MO serve as focal point for the ABD study linking the clinical team, the Principal Investigator and, and the Project Consultant Physician.
2. Work closely with the Study MO to oversee clinical operations related to conduct of the study (i.e. recruitment, informed consent procedure, sampling, visit scheduling, etc) and in day-to-day management of a KEMRI project based in the adult wards at Kilifi District Hospital.

4. Collate, digitize and catalogue radiographs for children with pneumonia and maintain a database of films and readings in adherence to the clinical SOP regarding radiological investigations.

4. Ensure high quality data collection through regular review of radiographer procedures and equipment functioning.

5. Providing good quality clinical care of subjects admitted to the medical wards and presenting to the out-patient clinic.

6. Supervision and mentoring of the study team, i.e. MOs, COs, Nurses, Interns, Fieldworkers, including staff from both KEMRI and from the district hospital.

7. Liaison between KEMRI and hospital teams.

8. Recruitment of study patients out of hours on an on call rota basis whose frequency will vary between one in four and one in seven depending on the size of the clinical team.

9. Presentation of the study data regularly to the stakeholders from KEMRI and the district hospital.

10. Attend and actively participate in investigator’s meetings and other meetings within the unit e.g. journal clubs/seminars as needed

11. Be involved in developing the site-specific protocol documents and maintaining subject files.

12. Ensuring data is complete before transcription of information from source documents to the electronic CRFs.

13. Participate in data query resolution process.

14. Presentation of study data at local and/or international meetings.

15. Other duties as instructed by the Principal Investigator/the Project Consultant Physician

Essential Qualifications:

• Degree in Medicine and Surgery
• Registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board
• Interest in clinical medicine, medical research and competency in basic clinical procedures e.g performing lumbar punctures and venipuncture
• Fluency in both written and spoken Kiswahili and English
• Ability to lead and work within in a team
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Computer literate and able to use Microsoft Office software and perform data analysis and reporting

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master’s in Public Health
• Demonstrable active interest and/or experience in clinical research
• Training in ICH-GCP
• Experience of qualification in statistics and/or data management
• Training in adult life support (basic and/or advanced)

An embedded distance learning MSc degree in Epidemiology is included within the clinical fellowship (concurrent with clinical and study work). The chosen applicant will be mentored in thinking through their career development. The chosen applicant will be mentored in thinking through their career development.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

To apply for this post you must be a registered user. Log into your account then go to Vacancies, view the post and click on the button: "Apply for this job".

All applicants are required to state their current/last salary.

Candidates must supply an email and telephone contact that will be used when offering interviews. The application closing date is 7^th January 2014. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is an equal opportunity employer.  Direct or indirect canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.  KWTRP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Link to the application site