Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) Coordinator Job: Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)

Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) Coordinator TBLON Ref No. MC/TB/28/04/20

Reports to Medical Officer TB and MDR TB technical advisor. The incumbent is responsible for supporting case finding for Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) TB and improved treatment and treatment outcomes for DR-TB patients.

Main duties

• Serves as the liaison between CIDRZ, the District Health Offices, the provincial medical offices, implementing partners and the National TB program in relation to DR-TB programming and implementation
• Trains different categories of staff (health workers and Community members) in Drug susceptible TB, TB/HIV and Drug Resistant –TB (DR-TB)
• Works closely with the National TB program to actualize the plans for decentralisation of DR-TB treatment to district and facility levels.
• Works closely with the NTP and the National and Provincial Clinical Expert Committee (CECs) to provide mentorship and technical supportive supervision to MDR TB initiating centres.
• Works closely with the Provincial and District CEC to provide mentorship and technical supportive supervision to MDR TB DOT centres
• Strengthens 1 stop TB/HIV clinics for MDR TB patients that are co-infected with HIV
• Works closely with the TB mentors in conducting MDR TB surveillance- Tracking access to and results of the DST among the following high risk groups: contacts to MDR TB cases, retreatment TB cases, patients who develop TB on or after IPT and patients who are smear positive at month 2 or above during treatment.
• Ensures that all patients diagnosed with DR-TB in our supported sites have a full baseline DST
• Works closely with the TB mentors, community partners and the MDR TB psychosocial counsellors to ensure that all the all the DR-TB patients are contact traced, unlinked clients are mopped up and defaulters are tracked and linked back to care.
• Supervises the MDR TB psychosocial counselors to ensure that patients receive psychosocial support throughout treatment and patient appointment system is strengthened.
• Works closely with the MDR TB psychosocial counselor to ensure that patients return for their semi-annual reviews after completion of treatment.
• Supports the MDR TB initiation centres to conduct adverse drug safety monitoring and management including submission of pharmacovigilance reports to NTP and ZAMRA
• Supports the MDR TB initiation centres to ensure that all MDR TB patients have their monthly cultures
• Supports the provincial Clinical Expert Committees to have quarterly meetings to charter a way forward for challenging DR-TB cases, review quality of care for DR-TB patients, conduct mortality audits for DR-TB and interim and final outcome cohort analysis for MDR TB patients
• Participates in the National Clinical Expert committee meetings and other forums on DR TB
  Provides technical support to the National TB Program (NTP) in the implementation of programmatic management of MDR-TB (PMDT) so as to enhance quality service delivery for MDR-TB
• Supports accurate use of reporting and recording use
• Provides support for all aspects of data collection and reporting, help to identify barriers/challenges and work with the DHO, PHO and NTP as required to address the challenges in a timely manner
  Compiles monthly, quarterly, annual and ad-hoc reports as required in required formats

Qualifications

• Diploma in Clinical Medical Sciences. A Bachelors or Masters Degree in Public Health will be an added advantage.
• At least 8 years of relevant work experience in the field of TB with at least three years in PMDT
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and training HCWs at district and provincial level in PMDT
• Experience with recording, reporting and other monitoring and evaluation activities
• Computer literate, with high competency in using Microsoft office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Good management and co-ordination skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines, and pays attention to detail

Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply; however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please send application letter and detailed CV quoting Reference Number and day-time telephone number to;

CIDRZ Human Resources Director PO Box 34681, LUSAKA or email: [email protected]