Research Assistants, Mortuary Study – 12 positions, UCSF Global Programs for Research & Training

Background

Global Programs for Research and Training is registered as an international NGO in Kenya, wholly owned and affiliated to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

The Ministry of Health – National AIDS & STI Control Program (NASCOP) and University of California San Francisco–Global Programs, and Centers for Disease Control are implementing Sentinel Surveillance of HIV Associated Mortality at selected mortuaries in Kenya.

The main objective is to establish a mortuary-based sentinel surveillance system for HIV in Kenya. Specifically, the surveillance seeks to determine HIV-positivity among cadavers at sampled mortuaries using minimally invasive OraQuick, monitor the burden and trends in HIV-associated mortality in Kenya and use the surveillance results to calibrate and validate national and subnational estimates of HIV-associated mortality.

Global Programs for Research and Training is seeking qualified research assistants to be based at the selected sentinel sites. These positions will require three-months commitment.

The Research Assistants will work under the direct supervision of the study coordinator and overall supervision of the principal investigators.

Key Responsibilities:

• Attend the full study training to understand the purpose and intent of the study, as well as the plan for implementation.
• Work in close collaboration with hospital staff in the mortuary to ensure that all eligible cadavers are enrolled into the study
• Co-ordinate the collection and testing of oral samples from eligible decedents
• Collect study data from mortuary records into mortuary surveillance data collection tools and electronic databases
• Uphold data quality procedures.
• Act as the point of contact to respond to any data quality concerns at the sentinel site
• Provide routine reports of progress to the study coordinator.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

The selected research assistant will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Clinical Medicine, Medical Laboratory, Public Health, or any other health-related field
• Experience in electronic collection of public health data.
• Knowledge and understanding of public health issues, specifically regarding HIV/AIDS.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a diverse team
• Willingness to work in mortuary settings
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Fluency in English or Swahili.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.

Added Advantage

• Training in bio safety and good clinical practice
• Experience in mortuary research settings