University of Cape Town
Job Title:Research Medical Officer
Faculty:Health Sciences
Department:Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM)
Location:Khayelitsha District Hospital (KDH) and Mitchells Plain Hospital and the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town.
Grade: Medical Officer
Responsible to:Prof Robert J Wilkinson and Dr Suzaan Marais
Works closely with:Khayelitsha District Hospital Staff, Mitchells Plain District Hospital Staff and Wilkinson Groupand Meintjes Groupresearch staff at KDH and the IDM.
Summary of post:
This post will be held at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) within the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Cape Town (UCT). The daily activities of this post will be 90% based at clinical research sites in Khayelitshaand Mitchells Plain and 10% at the IDM.
A MBChB graduate who has experience in the evaluation, investigation and clinical management of patients with neurological disorders, tuberculosis and HIV-related conditions is sought to work as research medical officer on a large clinical study conducted at Khayelithsa District Hospital and Mitchells Plain District Hospital by Prof Robert J Wilkinson and Dr Suzaan Marais. The study is a prospective study to evaluate the utility of different diagnostic methods for tuberculous meningitis and will include ~200 participants. The post may also involve recruitment of participants and supervision across other smaller studies within the group. Some prior experience of clinical research will be very advantageous. The Medical Officer should be experienced in performing a thorough neurological assessment in order to rule out clinical contra-indications to lumbar puncture and should be competent in performing lumbar punctures.
The post is supported by a Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellowship to Dr Suzaan Marais. The term of the post will initially be a one-year contract.
Duties and Responsibilities:
To carry out clinical and related medical research activities of this study and relevant sub-studies.
Duties will therefore include:
Recruitment of study participants, clinical assessment including performing a thorough neurological examination and clinical follow-up of participants.
Completion of all relevant study documentation according to study standard operating procedures.
Maintenance of, cross-checking, and entry of accurate data at clinical site according to South African and international Good Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Close liaison and maintenance of effective communication with the other study staff and site staff members.
Management, supervision and teaching of clinical research staff as required by the project.
Needs to conduct all necessary study procedures such as phlebotomy, lumbar puncture and collection of any other clinical samples as required.
Transport of clinical specimens to the laboratory at the IDM and GSH from the clinical sites, when required.
Development or revision of study standard operating procedures as needed.
Presentation of research findings at meetings at the clinical research sites and IDM.
NB. This job description provides an outline summary of the duties of the post. Amendments may be necessary but will be made in consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification:
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
A degree in Medicine
Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
A high level of knowledge of central nervous system infectious diseases in HIV-infected patients, such as tuberculous meningitis and cryptococcal meningitis
Desirable
Advanced level of experience in neurological diseases clinical practice
Clinical research experience
Current accredited GCP certificate
SKILLS
Essential
Phlebotomy
Clinical experience of management of patients with meningitis and other neurological complaints
Experience in performing a thorough neurological examination such that the Medical Officer could identify contra-indications to lumbar puncture
Competence in performing lumbar puncture
Maintenance of accurate clinical records according to GCP standards
ATTITUDE
Essential
Good working relationship within the research group and excellent rapport with patients.
A desire to make progress in understanding diseases that are responsible for great morbidity and mortality deaths amongst disadvantaged people of the world
Maintenance of patient confidentiality
To promote equity according to the University’s mission.
EXPERIENCE
Essential
Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa
Experience in assessment and management of patients with neurological complaints
ORGANOGRAM
Approved:
Dr Suzaan MaraisProfessor Robert J Wilkinson