Job Description

Zvitambo is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary public health research institute with the mission of improving maternal and child health in Zimbabwe, and to apply its findings to improve health globally. Zvitambo conducts research and provides technical support and education to reduce the burden of malnutrition and infectious diseases. Zvitambo is now seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to fill the following position of Research Nurse to support a clinical trial in Harare called Co-SAM. This trial is looking to improve the outcomes of severely malnourished children with medical complications who require hospitalization.

The Co-SAM trial will be conducted at Zvitambo in 3 hospitals: Parirenyatwa Hospital, Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Chitungwiza General Hospital. It is sponsored by Queen Mary University of London and funded by the National Institute of Health Research, UK (NIHR).

Full title of the trial is: An adaptive multi-arm trial to improve clinical outcomes among children recovering from complicated severe acute malnutrition.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Trial Research Nurse will be part of a clinical team reporting to the Trial Manager and responsible for:
• Ensuring proper screening, enrollment and follow-up of study participants;
• Supporting the intervention facilitators for the psychosocial intervention;
• Obtaining informed consent for enrollment into the Co-SAM trial;
• Performing clinical assessments and taking medical and drug history;
• Collecting laboratory specimens from study participants (strong phlebotomy skills with emphasis on pediatrics);
• Liaising with pharmacy to ensure adequate supply of study drugs;
• Administering study drugs precisely as stipulated by the protocol;
• Reporting adverse events experienced by study participants;
• Maintaining proper documentation of all study procedures conducted;
• Entering study data collected on online databases;
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications/ Essential Criteria:
• Applicants must be registered nurses with a Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery;
• Certified in HIV Rapid testing;
• Skilled in collecting blood samples from children;
• Experienced in managing severe acute malnutrition in hospital and/or at community level;
• Ability to work efficiently to meet strict deadlines with accuracy and precision;
• Computer literate;
• Ability to work well in a multidisciplinary team setting with individuals from varying socio-economic backgrounds;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively to parents/caregivers of sick children;
• Fluency in Shona and English;
• Have a vibrant, compassionate and youthful attitude.
Desirable
• A previous experience on a clinical research study is desirable
• clean class 4 driver’s licence
• A current certificate in Good Clinical Practice and Ethics is required by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe. Certificates can be obtained at https://gcp.nidatraining.org/

How to Apply

Please email your application to [email protected] with the subject: Application for Co-SAM Research Nurse. Please include a cover letter, CV, your registration with the nursing council, and any other supporting documents; it is preferable if this can be combined as one PDF document.

The closing date for applications is 15 December 2023. This post will start in the first quarter of 2024. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification.

By submitting your personal information, you consent to Zvitambo holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. Zvitambo reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.

Zvitambo is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse work force and does not ask for money at any stage of recruitment.