Research Assistant X 2 REF No: NICDCDC0623/001-04 at National Health Laboratory Services

Key Job Responsibilities

• Assist the research team in identifying patients who meet the surveillance or research study case definition.
• Collect or assist the Surveillance Officer with clinical data collection from patients meeting the surveillance or research study criteria.
• Complete structured interviews and/or collect samples from patients meeting the case definition for surveillance or research projects.
• Obtain or assist the Surveillance Officer to obtain informed consent from case patients or their next of kin.
• Receive and courier specimens.
• Trace results of routine investigations, such as imaging and laboratory tests.
• Assist in the preparation of presentations, report writing, and other project-related topics.
• Help maintain stock and inventories of surveillance documents.
• Complete surveillance-related documentation, including logs and case investigation forms.
• Prepare patient and site study files, including photocopying.
• Aid in the induction and training of new project staff.
• Collaborate effectively with surveillance, search, and hospital-based staff.
• Attend programme-related meetings to review study performance with the team.
• Monitor patient progress and outcomes both in and out of the hospital to ensure accurate data collection.
• File surveillance and research records on-site after data collection, according to protocol.
• Actively participate in and contribute to surveillance and research activities, including special research studies within the surveillance programme.
• Perform tasks related to respiratory illness surveillance and research as assigned by the line manager.
• Support study-related activities, such as photocopying, ethics applications, and data entry from questionnaires as requested by senior study staff.
• Follow established policies, procedures, objectives, and quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection control measures for compliance.
• Provide administrative support for all surveillance activities.

Minimum Requirements and Key Competencies

• Grade 12
• 6 months of work experience
• Experience with molecular-based tests
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Basic numeracy skills
• Listening skills
• Customer care skills
• Computer skills (Word and Excel)