Key Job Responsibilities 

• Rapidly identify surveillance cases by close liaison with clinicians and laboratory personnel, daily review of all new admissions, and by using other methods that are in place for that site
• Obtain informed consent and interview patients, clinicians and relatives to fulfil ethical requirements and ensure reliability of data
• Complete case report forms by interview and/or record review and submit timeously
• Conduct pre- and post-test counselling for HIV testing, as specified in the relevant surveillance or research protocol
• Take/ collect relevant specimens (nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, nasal and stool swabs, and venepuncture) from patients for laboratory testing as per protocol
• Monitor the progress and outcome of patients in and out of the hospital to ensure accurate data collection and recording
• Produce weekly stats reports
• File surveillance and research records on-site after data collection, according to the relevant protocol
• Actively participate in and contribute to surveillance-related activities
• Must be willing to travel between the various sites and may be required to do patient home visits
• Assist to obtain permission and ethics approval for surveillance and research activities in the region
• Perform tasks assigned by the line manager, related to NICD surveillance and research and assisting with hospital screening and specimen.

Minimum requirements & key competencies

• Four-year Nursing degree/diploma (including midwifery)/ B Tech nursing
• Registration with SANC as a PROFESSIONAL/REGISTERED nurse
• Five years post-qualification clinical experience
• At least three years’ clinical research/surveillance and knowledge of study protocols
• At least three years’ experience in management/ leadership roles
• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Strong management skills with experience in managing conflict
• GCP compliant
• Project management skills
• Communication skills: excellent English language proficiency (verbal and written; good telephone manner)
• Independently able to set and mark training/ teaching materials
• Identify gaps in knowledge and train surveillance staff
• Able to trouble shoot independently
• Experience in submitting and following up ethics protocols, updating SOPs
• Driver’s license and own vehicle essential
• Attention to detail is essential
• Computer literacy
• Experience in presenting surveillance information to high level stakeholders
• Advantageous: Experience in public health, applied epidemiology and communicable diseases or working towards a Master’s in Public Health/ Epidemiology.