Research Assistant - Clinician, IHD

Research Assistant - Clinician - (Machakos)

Department
Institute for Human Development

Entity
Aga Khan University

Location
Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access.

The Institute for Human Development (IHD) is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge with direct relevance for policies, programs, and practices that enhance life experiences at all stages of human development.  In its foundational years, the Institute seeks particularly to become a visible instrumental force, locally as well as globally, for advancing knowledge about the earliest years of children’s development and for harnessing such knowledge for the purpose of shaping policies and interventions that ensure a strong start in life for all children wherever they may live.

Job Summary

The Research Assistant will contribute to collaborative research that transforms people’s lives through new scientific findings by collecting quality data and biological samples for the AKILI study while adhering to the standard operating procedures and ethical regulations. AKILI is a study on genetic characterization of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the Kenyan and South African populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide information, education and support related to the AKILI study to families or guardians of potential eligible research participants
• Assist in triaging or offering any clinical support as may be requested of them when mobilizing participants at the outpatient clinics 
• Participate in the screening and identification eligible participants among children and adolescents at the hospitals, schools or the community.
• Participate in conducting the informed consenting process for the AKILI study.
• Participate in the collection of sociodemographic and phenotypic data, including KSADS, using research electronic data capture software
• Supervise and participate in Neuromedical assessments of all study participants.
• Ensure high standards are maintained when collecting, transporting and storing saliva samples from research participants. This entails ensuring all necessary forms are printed, filled in and filed accordingly.
• Ensure proper, accurate and timely documentation and reporting of study-related activities. 
• Participate in all relevant study related in-house and cross-site meetings. 
• Work closely with the coordinator to ensure all materials needed for the assessment of participants are set and in good condition ahead of participant enrollment. This entails ensuring the necessary printouts are available, legible and of good quality.
• Work closely with the coordinator to spearhead and participate in sensitization and/or training activities. This will entail preparing materials such as PowerPoint that will be used to train teachers, community health promoters and any other stakeholders AKILI will engage.
• Ensure data completeness and safety by crosschecking data against the AKILI’s enrolment checklist and that data has been uploaded to server before leaving the field/site of participant enrolment. 
• Supervise and ensure proper handling of all filed items such as tablets, weighing scales and filled in hardcopy forms to minimize the risk of damage and to ensure their safety.
• Foster good working relationships with all stakeholders such as the personnel in the different institutions we will engage – at the different hospitals, at schools and in the community. 
• Participate in the continuous medical education (CME) activities in the mental/neurological healthcare.
• Any other responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.
   

Requirements

• A minimum of Diploma in Clinical Medicine or Nursing
• Research background will be desirable

Relevant Experience.

• 2 years’ working experience in clinical care or research
• Flexible – able to work extra hours when needed
• Able to work with vulnerable populations such as those with neurological or mental health disorders
• Be computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications 
• DESIRABLE: Experience in the care for children and adolescents with behavioral or neurological disorders

Personal Characteristics

• Can work under minimal supervision
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a good team player
• Good communication skills (both written and oral)
• Attention to detail
• Keen desire to learn and share knowledge