Medical Research Assistant, Acute Malnutrition-Early Warning Score (AM-EWS) Study at Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

Location: University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno
Report to: Research Fellow Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto/Medical Referent of Muna Project, Maiduguri

Research Study

• The current methods used for detecting high risk children with severe acute malnutrition within the CMAM model Current mortality rate is high (range 5-10%). The purpose of the study is to provide evidence that objective methods for detecting high risk children can be used to optimize efficiency of Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) treatment programs and thus improve child health outcomes.
• We will be collecting a set of standard health information (heart rate, breathing rate, level of anemia) from children ill with acute malnutrition admitted to the inpatient therapeutic feeding centre (ITFC) to see if we can use them all together to determine which children are at highest risk of getting sicker and would need to be more closely monitored to better care for them. Vital signs and clinical data will be collected from children admitted into the ITFC twice daily for the duration of their stay in hospital. This study is being conducted collaboratively by Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), The Hospital for Sick Children, and The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).

Working Condition:

• Work environment: work takes place within the inpatient therapeutic feeding centre (ITFC) run by ALIMA in University of Maiduguri Teaching hospital

General Job Description

• To oversee the study implementation in an ITFC run by ALIMA in The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and ensure transmission of the data through secure internet-scan system to the Hospital for Sick Children. Be the focal person for the study in the ITFC, communicate with ITFC personnel and the UMTH staff pediatricians. Responsible for direct contact with the Research Fellow at Sick kids.

Duties and Responsibilites

• Facilitate identification of SAM children eligible for inclusion upon ITFC admission
• Supervise study team including 4 Nurse data collectors and one data archivist).
• Assure the integrity of the informed consent process
• Oversee accuracy of data collection by the team
• Ensure study register is accurately maintained.
• Support data archivist with transmission of data through secure server
• Maintain Dinamap (automatic blood pressure) and Rad-G (pulse oximeter) in working condition
• Maintain regular contact with Sick kids Research Fellow with weekly meetings.

Requirements
Education and Training:

• Medical Doctor
• Diploma/ Certificate (or equivalent) in Epidemiology or research related studies

Knowledge and Experience:

• Fluent in English
• Experience in research projects
• Experience in coordination of team
• Experience with care of children acute malnutrition

Skills and Competencies:

• Proficiency in computer/internet/scan process
• Able to maintain utmost patient confidentiality
• Good planning and organization skills
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work as a team member
• Calm, patient and able to work in busy stressful environment.

Employment Conditions

• Contract: Temporary Contract, Full time, 6 months ‘renewable.
• Starting date: ASAP
• Salary: depending on experience + per diem

ALIMA pays for:

• Tavel costs between the expatriate’s country of origin and the mission location
• Accommodation costs
• Medical cover from the first day of the contract to a month after the date of departure from the mission country for the employee
• Evacuation of the employee