Research Medical Officer

VACANCY

JOB TITLE: Research Medical Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Contract Type: Local, Full Time or Part Time
Duration: One year (with possibility of extension based on performance and funds availability)

BACKGROUND:

Friends for International Tuberculosis Relief (FIT) is a registered non-profit organization working in the field of tuberculosis (TB) prevention and care service delivery, technical assistance, advocacy and research.

In collaboration with the National TB Control Program (NTP) and other local and international partners, we are building a comprehensive Search-Treat-Prevent TB program across three cities in Viet Nam (Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phone and Hoi An). Overall TB treatment success rates are very high in Viet Nam (over 90% success), but specific patient populations have substantially lower treatment success rates (retreatment [77%], people co-infected with HIV [78%], MDR-TB [75%]). Other key populations also likely suffer from lower treatment success rates, but disaggregated outcome data are not available. Several new approaches and technologies are emerging which enable TB programs in remotely monitor treatment adherence and prioritize patients in need for more or less intensive follow up care. One approach – video observed treatment (VOT) – eliminates the need for healthcare workers and patients to be in the same physical space to observe treatment taking and allows for virtual observation at times convenient for the patient’s schedule. This reduces some of the costs and barriers associated with treatment adherence for both patients and healthcare workers. A recent study from Vietnam showed that it is feasible to implement VOT in a high TB burden, resource-limited setting. But additional studies evaluating the acceptance of this technology in certain key populations (such as people treated for TB by private clinicians), the impact of VOT on interim and final TB treatment outcomes and the cost effectiveness of this treatment support approach are now needed.

This research is supported by a grant from the Stop TB Partnership’s TB REACH initiative. For additional information please refer to our website at www.tbhelp.org

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research Medical Officer will primarily be responsible for implementing and monitoring a research study evaluating the SureAdhere VOT platform under the supervision of FIT’s Programs and Research & M&E Directors. This position will be responsible for the following activities:

• Develop education materials explaining VOT to patients and doctors
• Program and distribute project cellphones or tablets
• Train patients on how accurately record videos and send them using the SureAdhere VOT platform
• Review videos of patients taking their medication on a daily basis and record adherence and wellbeing data
• Develop targeted adherence messages which will be sent to patients via SMS
• Provide telephone and in person counselling to patients who are struggling with adherence to their TB medication
• Liaise with staff from District TB Units and the Ho Chi Minh City Public Health Association to assist patients in need of financial and social support
• Conduct home visits to prevent loss to follow up and early termination of TB treatment
• Liaise with private clinicians to ensure patient care is continuous and cohesive
• Conduct interviews with patients and clinicians about their perceptions of VOT
• Develop presentations about VOT implementation
• Participate in summarizing research outputs and implementation experience for publication
• Other activities requested by FIT management

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENT:

Essential

• Experience interacting, training and counselling patients
• Experience providing TB treatment support
• Understanding of National TB Control Program TB treatment guidelines
• Detail oriented
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work well in a team setting
• Ability to balance numerous tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• Willingness to travel throughout all districts in Ho Chi Minh City
• Drivers license and motorbike

Desirable

• Experience implementing or monitoring research studies

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A degree in medicine or nursing is essential
• A Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics/statistics, or related discipline would be beneficial, but is not required

LANGUAGES REQUIREMENTS:

• Fluency in Vietnamese
• Strong written and spoken English is required

APPLICATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:

• A cover letter written in English
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae
• Photocopy of degree certificate(s) / diploma(s)
• One employment reference (Name, Phone Number, Email Address)

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:

• By e-mail to [email protected] addressed to Mr. Andrew Codlin
• Subject: “Research Medical Offier”
• No later than Sunday, 16 September 2018

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
Full benefits will be included in the compensation package.

All applications will be carefully considered, but only short-listed applicants will be interviewed.
If you do not hear from us within 21 days of the closing date, this means your application was unsuccessful.

FIT is an equal opportunity employer.