Introduction
The Aga Khan University was found in 1983 as Pakistan’s first private university, Aga Khan University is a not-for-profit institution and an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network. Starting in 2000, the University expanded to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom and Afghanistan. AKU began life as a health-sciences university.
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Aga Khan University is a unique/distinguish establishment which serves the clinical laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital with academic interest. This department is heavily engaged in undergraduate, postgraduate and technologist training programs. It provides professional training for higher degree in four major areas of Pathology (Chemical Pathology, Hematology, Histopathology, and Microbiology). Currently, there are approximately 61 Faculty, including 3 part time, 2 visiting faculty members, and 41 Residents.
Aga Khan University invites applications for the position of Medical Officer, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. This is a platform investigate the impact of different COVID-19 vaccinations administered in the Pakistan population by studying humoral and cellular immunity to inactivated type, mRNA types and single-dose vector vaccines. Further, we will investigate the longevity of immune protection in vaccines against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the population.
As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.
This is a grant-funded contractual position.
Responsibilities
You should be responsible to:
- develop/maintain very good understanding of the study protocol and related study instruments
- liaise and coordinate study requirements with relevant units and departments of the institution, in line with AKU institutional policies
- perform clinical assessment and provide medical care the study subjects i.e., initial subject screening for eligibility, prescribing study medications, ongoing assessment and follow ups etc.
- organize and/or administer the informed consent process in conjunction with the PI
- coordinate and provide patient care in compliance with protocol requirements specific to patients screening, recruitment, scheduling, and study visit procedures
- where relevant, may disburse investigational product upon written authorization from the PI and provide relevant teaching with respect to its administration
- maintain study documentation as per protocol and GCP requirements (screening, subject recruitment, investigational drug accountability, enrolment, monitoring and study visit, adverse/serious adverse events etc.)
- review/monitor patients for changes such as in health status, response to investigational product, adverse events, compliance in use of investigational product, concomitant medication use, protocol compliance
- manage the requisition, collection, labelling, storage, or shipment of the study specimens
- document and maintain accurate records (such as, subject’s eligibility notes, clinical assessments, follow up notes etc. specimen logs, IP logs etc.) as part of source documentation, following regulatory and institutional requirements
- maintain strict patient confidentiality according to institutional policies and regulatory guidelinescommunicate with and update the study investigator(s), regularly with respect to patient progress, health status and any issues; as well, with study sponsors, and clinical monitors to ensure effective clinical trial implementation and progress
- transporting samples to Laboratory under controlled conditions
- assist in monitoring the progress and record keeping of the project at site
- any other duty or responsibility assigned by the reporting person
Requirements:
- must possess a degree in medicine, or Masters/Bachelors level in Nursing or in any relevant Health Field (e.g. Pharm-D) with relevant clinical experience
- must have a current registration & be in good standing with their professional association
- at least one year experience with MBBS or 3 years clinical work experience in nursing or other (e.g. D Pharm).
- research experience will be preferred
- possess excellent clinical skills
- demonstrate sound working knowledge & proficiency in human clinical trial processes, good clinical practices (ICH-GCP) & human research regulatory requirements
- excellent interpersonal & communication skills
- demonstrate strong critical thinking abilities, Organizational and management skills
- demonstrate teamwork, maturity, ability to work independently and versatility to work in a variety of related roles such as clinical/nursing care, patient services support, lab/bio-specimen processing, data management
- excellent organizational capabilities and ability to handle diverse set of tasks for multiple studies simultaneously
- proficiency in the use of computers and related Office software
