Clinical Mentor

The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) has an outstanding opportunity for a Clinical Mentor in Jamaica.

Reports to: Clinical Advisor
Location: Northeast Region Health Authority (NERHA) and Western Region Health Authority (WRHA), Jamaica

Background
The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) is a global health program of the
University of Washington (UW) Department of Global Health in Seattle, Washington. I-TECH operates programs and employs staff in multiple countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean Region.
Since 2003, I-TECH Caribbean has provided  technical assistance to Ministries of Health in the Caribbean region and partners to support national health systems strengthening initiatives and a timely national HIV response through the  implementation of robust care and treatment  strategies. This includes continuous quality  improvement at priority care and treatment sites,  clinical mentoring, in-service and pre-service  training and a focused effort to improve the  comprehensive HIV care and treatment for key population groups including MSM, persons of trans  experience, and sex workers. Drawing on expertise from I-TECH’s global network I-TECH has assisted in strengthening the region’s capacity to develop a competent health care workforce and administer quality HIV care and treatment programs. 

I-TECH is seeking either fulltime or part-time Clinical Mentors to assist in the implementation of technical assistance at PEPFAR priority facilities in Jamaica.

Position Overview
This position will work closely with the Jamaica Country Director as well as the I-TECH Clinical Advisor to support HIV care and treatment facilities in the provision of comprehensive, quality care to people living with HIV and, in particular, to members of key population groups (MSM, persons of trans experience and sex workers). This position will participate in a variety of activities,

Qualifications

• Medical degree and at least 5 years’ experience providing HIV care and treatment in the Caribbean;
• Extensive knowledge of and practical experience with health systems in Jamaica;
• Experience in designing and implementing complex and challenging HIV-related care and
  treatment programs, including clinical mentoring, training, preceptorships and continuous quality improvement;
• Commitment to improving the care and treatment for members of key population groups, in particular, MSM, persons of transgender experience and sex workers;
• Excellent public presentation and training skills;
• Demonstrated experience working closely with government public health officials and agencies at all levels;
• Demonstrated ability to interact with persons from a variety of professional disciplines and from different levels of society in a tactful, diplomatic, and culturally-appropriate manner;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook;
• Willingness to undergo further training and professional development in topic areas relevant to this position.

Responsibilities

1.  Clinical Mentoring
Viral Load Suppression Activities

• Support on-going docket review/ data extraction of all unsuppressed/high risk patients.
• Support the formulation of Enhanced Adherence Support plans for each unsuppressed patient.
• Document the progress of each patient and assist with reformulation of plans as needed.

Case consultations

• In collaboration with other Clinical Mentors, provide coverage of the HIV Warmline on a rotating basis.
• Provide timely follow up and documentation of all calls.
• Employ other forms of  communication/feedback via WhatsApp or, email to support mentoring.
• Support monthly case conferences at each site for unsuppressed or otherwise high-risk patients.
• Collaborate with US-based clinicians to provide and follow up on clinical mentoring
  interventions at targeted sites.

2. Support ongoing clinical training and re-education

• Support Ministry of Health and Wellness and Regional Health Authorities efforts at capacity building for clinicians and other health care workers.
• Support I-TECH online/blended training programmes for healthcare workers at Jamaica health centres.
• Assist healthcare workers in their use of health literacy materials with patients, related to viral load testing, U=U, and PrEP.

3. Sexual & reproductive health

• Build capacity of health care workers at HIV sites to manage STIs.
• Increase efficiency of cervical and anal cancer screening.
• Support the establishment of anal health and transgender health services at HIV
  treatment sites.

4. Coordinate HIV ECHO (Community of Practice) participation with sites

• Support case presentations and site participation in weekly HIV ECHO sessions.
• Undertake follow up to ensure consultation recommendations are carried out and
  maintain case documentation.

5. Strengthen Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling (PITC), Index testing & Partner
Notification (PN) services

• Train healthcare workers in PITC and Index testing.
• Collaborate with site team (Contact Investigators, Case Managers, and Social workers) to ensure index patients are interviewed and contact tracing done.

6. Site Assessments

• As needed, assist with site level assessments to determine critical information to inform I-TECH’s activities; participate in PEPFAR Site Improvement Through Monitoring Systems (SIMS) visits as requested.
• In collaboration with the Clinical Advisor prepare site assessment reports.
• Participate in the development of site-specific technical assistance based on site assessments.

Conditions of employment

The Clinical Mentor must be available and willing to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Note

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to the Director of Finance and Operations at hr@itech-caribbean.org no later than Sunday, September 8, 2019.

We appreciate all applications, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact

Email: hr@itech-caribbean.org

Base Salary: Undisclosed