State Clinical Mentor (Katsina) at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Background

• The National AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections Control and Hepatitis Programme (NASCP) is a Department of Public Health division in the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).
• Its mandate is to coordinate the formulation and effective implementation of the Nigerian government policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures to prevent new HIV infections and improve the existing treatment, care, and support for those already infected and affected by the virus.
• In collaboration with the USG, NASCP is implementing the first phase of National Clinical Mentoring in the HIV programme in 19 Nigerian States for improved HIV service delivery.
• The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, (IHVN) in collaboration with SASCP is seeking to recruit qualified persons in Nasarawa and Katsina States to fill the following critical positions necessary for programme implementation in the state as indicated below.

Description and Objectives

• Under the supervision of the Director of Public Health, the State clinical mentor will provide mentorship to healthcare workers in assigned facilities.
• S/He is expected to build the capacity of frontline Healthcare workers to provide quality HIV clinical services as part of a comprehensive package of care in both public and private facilities and communities.
• The candidate must be domiciled in the state and be conversant with the terrain.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site clinical training to healthcare workers on HIV treatment according to the national guidelines, including adult and pediatric ART and treating tuberculosis and other opportunistic diseases.
• Provide training through clinical consultation, assisting local healthcare workers in identifying key bottlenecks affecting patients’ access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and helping them with direct patient care as needed.
• Provide continuous medical education (CME), which may include didactic training sessions to health professionals, as needed. All training will be in accordance with the national guidelines.
• Provide health worker capacity-building sessions using various methodologies (including project ECHO, and low bandwidth video conferencing).
• Assist as requested with facilitating sessions on the weekly ECHO videoconferencing sessions with health workers from various sites in the states.
• Develop standard operating procedures for HIV clinical care at the health facility in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders. This may include troubleshooting problems with the patient flow, tracking defaulters, or clarifying referral pathways by developing appropriate algorithms.
• Submit a monthly report on training and technical assistance activities, as well as findings and recommendations for strengthening services in the health facility and compliance with the national treatment guidelines.

Requirements

Education and experience:
Academic training:

• Must possess a Degree in Medical Sciences (MBBS or equivalent).
• Postgraduate qualification/Masters level training in Public Health, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Obstetrics will be an advantage.
• Must be registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and have evidence of current practicing license.

Experience:

• Must have 3-5 years’ experience with clinical HIV and AIDS care, including the provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART)
• Must have at least two years’ experience with program planning, assessment, and implementation of HIV clinical care program.
• Experience in the provision of HIV clinical training
• Previous experience in HIV-related operational research is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of current trends and normative guidance (national and international) in HIV clinical care and service delivery
• Experience in coordinating multi-disciplinary HIV clinical teams for effective service delivery.
• Willingness to travel to clinics and hospitals in assigned geographical areas within the State

Core requirements:

• Demonstrated coaching and mentoring ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people of different backgrounds.
• Ability to apply problem-solving skills to ongoing challenges.
• Strong organizing, planning, and prioritizing skills
• Sensitivity to different cultural working environments
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and write reports.
• Capacity to operate as a team player in large, diverse teams and individually.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Proficiency in computers and software/applications such as presentation software, spreadsheets, and video conferencing.