RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Title:                       RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Generic Function:                               

                Code:                     MS07700D

                Level:                     7                              (E)

Position in the Organization

• Reports to (Hierarchical):                  Operational Research Coordinator
• Reports to (Functional):                     Operational Research Coordinator
• Job Family:                           Medical               

Main purpose

Act as Focal Point for daily management of the research study in the phases of preparation, training, implementation, monitoring, reporting etc. under the broad supervision of the Operational Research Coordinator to ensure the smooth running of studies.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Preparation & implementation  of the research

- Participation in development of the medical study Procedures

- Participation to the preparation of the study sites with the support from the study coordinator

- Assist in recruitment of study staff

- Training of the staff:

   * Nurses and MDs on medical procedures related to study

   * Lay health care cadre on medical and administrative activities related to study

   *Support data clerks training in research department if requested

- Facilitate the procurement of study supplies

- Ensuring patient consent is obtained according to protocol

•  Monitoring of the research

- Managing and coordinating the day to day activities of studies

- Monitoring clinical practices by lay health care cadres, nurses and MDs

- Monitoring patients’ recruitment and patient follow-up

- Respecting  the study procedures implemented by the different staff involved in the study

- Ensuring confidentiality of the data collected

- Regular visit to study sites

- Stock management of study items (drugs, lab items, …)

- In collaboration with MSF logistician, organization of the logistics aspects of the study (material, transport, …)

- Data entry: and cross checking of double data entry, investigation and correction of discrepancies

- Assisting the clinic staff if workload allows

• Reporting

- Reporting every 2 weeks during preparation and once a month during the implementation period

- Participating in preparation of presentations for internal and external use

- Participating in the team meetings (departmental meeting, project meetings)

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

            •Medical background desirable (eg nurse)

Experience           

            •Clinical Research Assistant or experience in clinical research is an added value

            •Work experience as study assistant/ nurse/ manager

            •Working experience in limited resource countries

            •Experience with data entry

Languages           

            •Local language desirable. Mission language essential

Competences      

            •Good capacity to communicate and work in team.

Specific Activities (link to the context)

Pre-study tasks:

1.  Prepare and update the list of all eligible patients that might be enrolled in the study with the support and guidance of expat MD
2. Check files for all eligible patients to ensure all information is properly filled on the patient file and entered correctly into gecko

Enrolment phase tasks:

1. Check each patient on the appointment book and record the date of the coming consultation on a patient follow up sheet
2. Research Nurse will explain again in detail the scope of the study and the Informed Consent document to each patient and ask for their signature
3. For each patient who provided consent, put a sticker/notifier on patient file, appointment book and patients’ appointment card
4. Research Nurse/Assistant will check with the patient files for complete study related data
5. Research assistant will implement study related questionnaires at the clinics.
6. At the end of the consultation, make sure the data is properly filled in each patient’s file
7. Send weekly patient follow up sheet to Epidemiology Activity Manager and Expat MD

During Study:

1. Check patients appointments and record the date of the coming consultation
2. Inform the GP and the NCD Nurse who are the enrolled patients
3. Make sure the patient’s blood pressure measurements taken by the NCD nurse are properly recorded on the patient file
4. At the end of the consultation, make sure the data is properly filled in each patient’s file
5. For each enrolled patient, after every routine consultation,  ensure this exists a sticker/notifier on the appointment book and patients’ appointment card for the coming consultation
6. Report any missing information on patients’ files to Expat MD and clinic physician/nurse
7. Report any missing information in patient files to Expat MD
8. Enter data for all enrolled patients in the study database, and send weekly to Epidemiology Activity Manager

-To work in a context with different innovative activities in place, such as operational implementation studies, laboratory evaluation studies and pilots of innovative interventions.

This job description may be amended in line with the activities or evolution of the Mission.

By signing, the employee acknowledges that he/she has read, understood and accepted this document.

Employee Name/ Surname:                         

Place and date:  

Signature of the employee:

(To be signed in two copies, one for the employee and one for the employer)

*MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association.

Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.