Open Positions at Desmond Tutu Health Foundation

• The HCT Research Counsellor will be responsible for conducting in-clinic research activities for the Universal Test and Connect (UTC) Study, ensuring effective participant recruitment, engagement and high-quality data collection. This position will identify, approach, consent, and enroll participants during their facility visits, administer study questionnaires, and collate medical records (both paper and electronic) for research purposes. The HCT Counsellor will play a key role in protocol adherence and participant retention, supporting study execution under the research nurse at the Gugulethu site, with future expansion to Tygerberg in 2026.

Job Requirements

• Grade 12 Certificate
• HIV counselling and Testing Certificate (HCT)
• Certificate of competence: Rapid Finger-Prick testing for HIV
• Rapid Testing Quality Improvement Initiative Certificate
• At least 1-year experience of working with adolescents within a research/ community health environment
• Knowledge of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Knowledge of Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, TB and STI’s, and counselling
• Experience in a Community Based research-Projects
• Computer literacy with sound knowledge of email, Microsoft office suite
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Fluency in English and or Afrikaans and or IsiXhosa
• Ability to work well under pressure and to maintain effectiveness during changing conditions
• Maintain confidentiality
• Administration skills
• Ability to work independently as well as part of the mobile clinic team
• Client focused and detail-orientated
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including weekends

Advantageous:

• Valid Driver’s license
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certificate
• Knowledge of HIV
• Certificate for PrEP

Responsibilities:

• Providing welcoming and supportive environment to adolescent clients regardless of race, gender, or HIV status.
• Conduct Rapid HIV, pregnancy testing and follow up where required.
• Provide basic HIV/ARV/ PrEP/PEP education to participants individually and in groups.
• Assist in tracking of participants enrolled into research projects.
• Accurate and complete questionnaire administration.
• Participate in recruitment and consenting activities.
• Follow-up telephone calls with study participants.
• Assist with recruiting patients for research studies.
• Assist with community surveys.
• Assist with filing research forms and patient files.
• Maintain strict client confidentiality.
• Capturing study data on mobile app
• Weekly and Monthly progress reports on research participation (recruitment, enrolment and retention).
• Assist with other project related activities as required
   

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• The main purpose the Research Nurse is to coordinate the Universal Test and Connect (UTC) Study, overseeing day-to-day research implementation and ensuring high-quality data collection in the field. This position will manage field staff, coordinate procurement, and monitor study activities to ensure smooth research operations. The position will be responsible for maintaining protocol adherence, participant safety, and effective study execution at the Gugulethu site, with future expansion to Tygerberg in 2026.

Job Requirements

• Nursing Diploma or Degree with active South African Nursing Council (SANC) registration as a Registered Nurse
• At least 2 years nursing experience post-graduation
• Experience of working with adolescents in the health sector/ clinical environment
• Fluency in English and isiXhosa or Afrikaans
• Computer literacy with sound knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and to maintain effectiveness during changing conditions
• Ability to work harmoniously with youth of diverse backgrounds
• Client focused
• Administration skills
• Must be able to work in a team and independently
• Must be detail orientated
• Willingness to travel and work irregular hours, including weekends from time to time

Advantageous:

• At least one-year experience within a research environment
• Experience working in HIV prevention project providing SRH services, including provision of PrEP.
• Valid drivers’ license
• Dispensing license
• CNP Qualification
• GCP certificate
• Nurse Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Treatment (NIMART) trained and PrEP initiation
• Dispensing certificate

Responsibilities:

• Providing a client focused youth friendly sexual and reproductive health service for clients
• Oversee and tracking recruitment of eligible participants
• Oversee participant management activities
• Oversee and conduct HIV testing
• Referral to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or antiretroviral treatment (ART)
• Oversee QC for HIV Testing
• Proficiency in phlebotomy techniques
• Follow-up STI results, treatment and update the data management system
• Administer contraception
• Requisition of medical supplies, stock management and control
• Perform required clinical duties as indicated and as per qualification/competence
• Maintaining strict client confidentiality
• Oversee and provide pre- and post-test HIV counselling, as well as HIV risk reduction counselling.
• Obtaining blood and urine samples and processing them as required e.g. Urine pregnancy testing
• Conducting study procedures as per study specific protocol e.g.  Point of Care testing.
• Communication with the laboratory regarding query resolution e.g. Data correction
• Performing other client care procedures as required
• Entering data on case report forms (CRF’s) and electronic data base and processing
• Line-management/Supervision of Staff (HCT counsellors)
• Completion of staff evaluation processes, determine training needs and oversee required training
• Prepare and submit weekly report as required
• Performing Quality Control (QC) checks on Point of Care tests as required
• Performing Quality Control (QC) checks on CRFs and source documents
• Providing feedback to staff regarding common errors as part of the QC process
• Managing filing of CRFs, source documents and laboratory reports