Job Opportunities

The Botswana-UPenn Partnership is a mutually beneficial collaboration between the Government of Botswana, the University of Botswana and the University of Pennsylvania that builds capacity in the fields of clinical medicine, research and enhances academic life. We implement several globally recognised clinical and research programs.

We seek outstanding dynamic, self-motivated & qualified individuals to apply for the position of:                                                                                               

Key Performance Areas:

1. Assist PI/Co-PI and research coordinator in recruitment and enrolment of subjects– meets targets set by PI’s
2. Performs daily study duties as directed in terms of data collection and data-entry, etc.
3. Develops proficiency in performing standardize clinical tests
4. Develops and maintains professional and caring interactions with patients enrolled in the study and/or their caregivers including relevant study and health education
5. Maintains a high degree of accuracy and organization with regard to data abstraction from study subjects, medical charts, data management, and data entry
6. Maintains a high degree of professional integrity and confidentiality of patient data at all times
7. Communicates with PI/co-PI regularly to inform of study progress and discuss any issues as they arise. This will include the need for additional materials,
8. Interacts with other study team members to coordinate consenting process, collection, data entry and management
9. Participates in weekly team study meetings to report on recruitment and study progress

Essential Functions/Job Duties:

1. Recruit patients into the study
   • Helps to recruit patients and meets targets as determined by the team
   • Helps to maintain paper records of the enrolment which will be stored in locked secure cabinets
2. Collect Biomedical data
   • Obtain consent from study participants & test oxygen saturation on infants, measured in upper & lower limbs
   • Additional demographic and clinical data to be collected using a pretested questionnaire
   • New-borns with abnormal oxygen saturation recordings to be referred to the neonatal unit of PMH hospital.
   • Check in with caregivers as necessary and answer any questions relating to the conduct of the study
   • Helps to collect assessment data from patients after they have been consented. Assessment data includes oxygen saturations and questionnaires. 

3. Catalogue clinical data, maintain patient confidentiality
   • Take necessary steps to ensure safety of paper records
   • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
   • Maintain current human subjects training certificate
4. Communication with study team members, coordinating study activities
   • Assist study team to give orientation to the nurses and midwives regarding the study protocol and also do data quality checks every day.
   • Participate in weekly meetings with PI’s and research team and communicates frequently & effectively with PI’s including at least daily email checking and responding
   • Monitors study supplies and updates PI of any anticipated needs

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Assist PI or other study team members on other tasks as requested
• Troubleshoot as needed to optimize all aspects of the study
• Carry out any other lawful and reasonable instruction as may be instructed by the supervisor

Experience & Qualifications:A 2-year work experience in Nursing or auxiliary equivalent. A demonstrable interest in doing research. Fluency in Setswana and English with computer skills.

Candidate who meet the minimum requirements should forward their applications with copies of CV’s, academic certificates and two (2) letters of recent references as a Research Assistant to The Human Resources Coordinator, Botswana-UPenn Partnership, P.O Box 45498, River Walk, Gaborone. UB Main Campus, Block 244G, Reception (103).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing Date: 13 August 2021.