Lead Physician for MARVELS Programme Full Time

Job Description

Job Title: Lead Physician for MARVELS programme

Qualifications: Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Reports to:  Chief Investigator (Prof Stephen Gordon), MLW Programme Director (on clinical governance), Trial Safety Monitors/Sponsor appointed medical experts (on clinical management)

Accountability: Prof Stephen Gordon (for scientific activities), Heads of Departments (for any clinical and teaching activities), Both of these in consultation (for integration of activities)

Responsible for: Coordinating all MARVELS clinical activities including: clinical management and oversight of clinical research procedures of potential and actual study participants (including safety of study participants), supervision of clinicians and research nurses, and facilitating communication with all relevant stakeholders.

Liaises with: Project specific MLW and QECH staff involved in the trial including: MARVELS Coordinator (Neema Toto), Trial Clinicians and Nurses, Immunology Lead (Kondwani Jambo), Microbiology lead (Tarsizio Chikaonda) and Technicians responsible for processing Trial samples, Trial Pharmacist, Clinical Research Support Unit Manager, Data Manager, and Statistical Support Unit Manager.

Background

Since its inception in 1995 the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme (MLW) in Blantyre has become an internationally recognised centre for research and research training. The MLW Programme aims: (1) To conduct excellent research to benefit health, focusing on research that is relevant primarily to the health needs of Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa, but whose influence extends beyond the region; (2) To train the next generation of Malawian, African and international researchers; and (3) To support the Malawi Government and the University of Malawi College of Medicine, COM in their capacity to conduct research on health problems of local importance.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will lead and provide clinical coordination to the MARVELS Controlled Human Infection (CHIM) model programme and be responsible for the safe implementation of rigorous standard operating procedures to promote participant safety. The candidate will oversee the day-to-day running of several CHIM studies including testing vaccines, new products, and studies in at-risk patient groups. Additionally, the post holder is expected to spend up to 30% of the contracted time contributing to clinical service provision in the Department of Medicine at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, primarily focused on delivery of care within high dependency areas (based in 3A) in the hospital. The candidate will work within the dynamic research environment of MLW and the College of Medicine and become part of a multidisciplinary academic team of Malawian and international scientists.

This position will support and enhance the visibility of the MLW Programme and will provide both research and leadership experience for an ambitious, enthusiastic clinician who wishes to pursue a career in academic medicine. The candidate is expected to demonstrate academic ability and aptitude for clinical research. Job responsibilities include clinical assessment and management of potential and actual study participants, meticulous delivery of procedures designed to maintain participant safety, managing project staff, managing recruitment to ensure clinical, microbiology and immunology teams are aligned, and participant safety maintained, facilitating communication between the study team and all relevant stakeholders, and maintaining project records according to the study protocol and MLW procedures.
Responsibilities

Specific duties

Responsibilities include.

Clinical coordination of the MARVELS CHIM studies, ensuring quality communication between the study staff, the research governance teams and operational and administrative support staff (working closely with Neema Toto as MARVELS project coordinator).
Assist the PI to ensure communication with stakeholders in Malawi and abroad.
Oversee the MARVELS team of clinical, nursing, and other research support staff based at MLW/QECH in the day-to-day running of the trial.
Deliver out of hours on call services to study participants (including nights and weekends) to monitor and ensure safety within the programme.
Ensure all MARVELS programme procedures are conducted in accordance with the approved trial protocols, prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and international good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines.
Ensure good clinical practice is maintained in all MARVELS related activities including screening, enrolment, clinical care, laboratory tests, procedures, follow-up of patients, accurate documentation and reporting of clinical and research findings.
Oversee and participate in research activities where needed, including eligibility screening, obtaining informed consent, enrolment, clinical care and follow up of study participants.
Review Case Report Forms and source documents on study screening, enrolment, follow-up and withdrawal to ensure rigour and readiness for trial monitoring procedures.
Check and communicate results of laboratory procedures (including but not limited to pneumoniae carriage and SARS-CoV-2 results) with relevant stakeholder to ensure participant safety and maintain study integrity.
Liaise with the Sponsor-assigned Medical Expert/Safety monitor in reviewing results of laboratory and. other investigations of potentially eligible candidates and enrolled study participants.
Ensure prompt reporting of serious adverse events and adverse events of special interest in accordance with the prescribed standard operating procedures and study protocol.
Assist in providing medical care to non-study participants as per agreement. Some of the duties associated with the post will involve 30% clinical contribution to the Department of Medicine, focused on the high dependency unit setting. While conducting clinical duties outside the MARVELS programme, the post holder will be responsible to the medical heads of department (College of Medicine and Ministry of Health). The post holder will be expected to undertake any clinical duties assigned by these supervisors, which may include participating in teaching/supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as interns and attend appropriate clinical and research meetings when possible.
Managerial

Overall clinical and research staff management & supervision.
Monitor recruitment progress and navigate safe study delivery in consultation with laboratory teams.
Conducting performance appraisals for staff under direct supervision.
Maintain an amicable working relationship and clear communications with government Officials, the Hospital Staff and the local community.
Participate in weekly research team meetings and work closely with the MARVELS Coordinator to deliver programme objectives.
Professional

Ensure study participants receive excellent care, are made to feel welcome by the study team and that meticulous attention to safety procedures are applied.
Always behave professionally.
Ensure maintenance of confidentiality of study participants’ records and respect the privacy and rights of participants.
Ensure staff maintain infection prevention and control procedures (including but not limited to SARS-CoV-2) at all times according to MLW, ward and hospital protocols.
Always put study participants’ interests first.
Keep clear and up-to date records of study participants at all times.
Adhere to standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) at all times.
At all times, be aware of responsibilities pertaining to the post (as recorded in this document) and other SOP’s.
Health and Safety

In liaison with MLW and QECH Health and Safety teams, take a leading role in ensuring the maintenance of a safe workplace environment by monitoring and enforcing strict adherence to Health and Safety protocols for all staff, through conducting spot checks, evaluations, staff induction and continuous training/professional development.
Ensure all trial staff are trained and up to date with GCP/GCLP (Laboratory).
Ensure all trial staff attend the quarterly scheduled Health and Safety sensitizations at least once a year, and that Health and safety Inductions are done for all new staff.
Ensure Health and Safety makes part of staff objectives to be reviewed during appraisals.
Maintain records and accurate documentation of all Health and Safety issues including actions taken, follow up with relevant departments and submitting Accident reports to the H&S Officer.
Support staff to gain immediate access to a physician for PEP and counselling following occupational accidents or exposure to infectious/noxious agents.
All staff are employed under the MLW Programme and are ultimately responsible to the Programme whether directly employed under the Core Grant, a Research Fellowship or Project Grant. All staff are expected to be flexible and may be required to contribute to the activities of the Core Programme or another project(s).

Requirements

Qualifications:

MBBS (or equivalent) with evidence of registration with the Medical Council of Malawi

MMed or MSc relevant subject is desirable

Remuneration and Benefits

MLW offers an attractive remuneration package which includes a competitive salary package commensurate with the position, a medical aid scheme, insurance cover, pension scheme, gratuity benefits redeemable once every year, among others.

MLW also offers opportunities such as scholarships, upgrading and training opportunities to employees. These are based on excellent job performance and other set criteria.

MLW recognizes its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients. Please note that successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and at regular time points during employment.

Suitably qualified candidates should forward their applications with copies of relevant certificates, and a detailed CV as a single PDF to vacancies@mlw.mw. Please indicate the position title as the heading of your email. Hand-delivered applications will not be processed.

To arrive no later than the 22 August,2023, only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.

ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.

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