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State Clinical Mentor – FCT

Introduction
The National AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections Control and Hepatitis Programme (NASCP) is a Department of Public Health division in the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH). Its mandate is to coordinate the formulation and effective implementation of the Nigerian government policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures to prevent new HIV infections and improve the existing treatment, care, and support for those already infected and affected by the virus. In collaboration with the USG, NASCP is implementing the first phase of National Clinical Mentoring in the HIV program in 19 Nigerian States for improved HIV service delivery.

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), in collaboration with SASCP, is seeking to recruit a qualified person in the FCT to fill the following critical position necessary for program implementation, as indicated below.

Job Title: State Clinical Mentor
Employment Type: Full-Time
Locations: FCT (1 Position)

Opening Date:       1st July 2024

Closing Date:         15th July 2024

Description and objectives: Under the supervision of the Director of Public Health, the State clinical mentor will provide mentorship to healthcare workers in assigned facilities. S/He is expected to build the capacity of frontline Healthcare workers to provide quality HIV clinical services as part of a comprehensive package of care in both public and private facilities and communities. The candidate must be domiciled in the FCT and be conversant with the terrain.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide on-site clinical training to healthcare workers on HIV treatment according to the national guidelines, including adult and pediatric ART and treating tuberculosis and other opportunistic diseases.
  • Provide training through clinical consultation, assisting local healthcare workers in identifying key bottlenecks affecting patients’ access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and helping them with direct patient care as needed.
  • Provide continuous medical education (CME), which may include didactic training sessions for health professionals, as needed. All training will be in accordance with the national guidelines.
  •  Provide health worker capacity-building sessions using various methodologies (including project ECHO and low bandwidth video conferencing).
  • Assist, as requested, with facilitating sessions on the weekly ECHO videoconferencing sessions with health workers from various sites in the states.
  • Develop standard operating procedures for HIV clinical care at the health facility in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders. This may include troubleshooting problems with the patient flow, tracking defaulters, or clarifying referral pathways by developing appropriate algorithms.
  • Submit a monthly report on training and technical assistance activities, as well as findings and recommendations for strengthening services in the health facility and compliance with the national treatment guidelines.
  • Perform other duties related to clinical mentoring as assigned.

Required competencies

  1. Core requirements:
  2. Demonstrated coaching and mentoring ability.
  3. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people of different backgrounds.
  4. Ability to apply problem-solving skills to ongoing challenges.
  5. Strong organizing, planning, and prioritizing skills
  6. Sensitivity to different cultural working environments
  7. Ability to analyze and interpret data and write reports.
  8. Capacity to operate as a team player in large, diverse teams and individually.
  9. Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
  10. Proficiency in computers and software/applications such as presentation software, spreadsheets, and video conferencing.
  • Education and experience

Academic training:

  • Must possess a degree in Medical Sciences (MBBS or equivalent).
  • Postgraduate qualification/Masters level training in Public Health, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Obstetrics will be an advantage.
  • Must be registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and have evidence of current practising license.
  • Experience:
  • At least 3-5 years experience with clinical HIV and AIDS care, including the provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART)
  • Must have at least two years’ experience with program planning, assessment, and implementation of HIV clinical care programs.
  • Experience in the provision of HIV clinical training
  • Previous experience in HIV-related operational research is an advantage.
  • Good knowledge of current trends and normative guidance (national and international) in HIV clinical care and service delivery
  • Experience in coordinating multi-disciplinary HIV clinical teams for effective service delivery.
  • Willingness to travel to clinics and hospitals in assigned geographical areas within the State.
  • Equal employment opportunity statement:
  • IHVN is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.
  • Mode of Application:
  • Please complete and submit your CV at this link: https://tinyurl.com/SCMFCT Also Application letter and detailed curriculum vitae in Microsoft Word format should be forwarded to the Assistant Director, Human Resources, through this email address:[email protected].This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  • This advert closes 14 days from the date of this publication, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

TB Advocate Mobilizes Mother, Children to Access TB Services

When Ms. Prisca Peter, a 34-year-old single mother residing in Lagos State, Nigeria, started feeling ill in November 2023, she went to the nearby chemist to buy over-the-counter drugs including cough syrup. However, the medications did not alleviate the weakness, fever, loss of appetite, drenching night sweats, constant cough, and drastic weight loss she experienced.

Her condition deteriorated such that she was unable to walk or continue her work as a cleaner in a hotel. The Good Samaritan who came to her rescue was Mr. Sunday Michael, a TB survivor and advocate.  Sunday was diagnosed and treated for tuberculosis in Ori-Okuta Primary Health Center Ikorodu LGA, and he referred her to the same facility in January 2024.

Mr. Michael said, “I noticed she was coughing badly, I asked her some questions and noticed she had almost the same symptoms I had, so I decided to take her to the health center I went to for my treatment and proper care.”

The USAID TB LON 3 project which the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) implements, supports screening and treatment for tuberculosis in 2,197 facilities and Ori-Okuta Primary Health Center is one of the supported facilities.

At the hospital, Prisca was screened for tuberculosis and identified as a presumptive TB case. Afterward, her sputum was collected for evaluation, and she was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) disease. She immediately commenced treatment and took her medications as prescribed.

“Immediately I was told that the sickness could be cured, I didn’t doubt it. I was tired of buying over-the-counter medications and still not getting well. I thought I would even die. I even wondered who would care for my children if something happened to me,” she said.

The USAID TB-LON 3 project also conducted contact tracing. Her four children aged 12, 10, 8, and 5 years were screened for TB and they were all identified as presumptive tuberculosis cases. Upon evaluation of the samples, two of them tested positive for tuberculosis and have been placed on treatment while the other two are receiving free tuberculosis prevention therapy with support from the USAID TB-LON 3 project.

USAID TB LON 3 Community Mobilization Advisor, Dr. Alege said, “Survivors of TB are a key part of our demand creation model as they’re often able to convince newly diagnosed persons who are yet to start treatment through their experiences. This model has been largely successful as the survivors’ point of view is usually more relatable to clients. The survivors on the other hand are more than willing to support healthcare workers in gratitude for saving their lives. Over time, TB survivors are also engaged as community volunteers to support those whose livelihood might have been negatively impacted by the disease condition.”

Prisca and her children are recovering. “If I was to pay money for the treatment, I wouldn’t have been able to afford it. I want to thank your organization for the free treatment. I also want to tell anyone who doesn’t want to take the drugs to know that it is for their good. The drug works well and makes you strong again,” she said.

She promised to be a tuberculosis advocate in her community like Sunday who referred her to the facility and supported her when she could not walk to the facility to collect her medications.

The USAID/Nigeria Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TB-LON 3) project is a five-year project to scale up tuberculosis services and find missing TB cases. It started in April 2020 and is engaging stakeholders in strengthening a resilient system for sustainable TB control in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun states. As of March 2024, 103,900 tuberculosis cases were identified, notified, and are undergoing treatment.

GeneXpert Laboratory Consultant – Osun and Lagos State

The Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and cancer through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, care, and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at the national, state, and local levels. The Institute aims to provide quality health services, capacity building, and research in West Africa and beyond.

The Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and cancer through the provision of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, and care and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at national, state and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to be a leader in providing quality health services, capacity building and research in West Africa and beyond.

The TB-LON 3 Project is a USAID-funded Award that is a revolutionary program working with communities, facilities and relevant State and National structures to improve access to TB case finding, diagnosis, treatment and notification in Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States; as well as increase domestic financing for TB and strengthen surveillance and integrated reporting.

The TB-LON 3 Project is implemented by a consortium with Institute of Human Virology Nigeria as the Prime Recipient, Society for Family Health as the Sub-Recipient, and other Implementing Entities. 

To further drive quality and engender global best practices in HIV and TB care and treatment, IHVN is seeking qualified candidates for the following position:

collaboration with facility staff, the National and State TB Programs.

PositionGeneXpert Laboratory Consultant
Reports to: Program Officer (Laboratory)
Location:Osun and Lagos State
Type of ContractOne year contract with the possibility of renewal

Opening Date: 10th June 2024

Closing Date: 17th June 2024

Description and objectives

Under the supervision of the Program Manager (Laboratory), State Team Lead and the Program Officer (Laboratory), the GeneXpert Laboratory Consultant will ensure quality and prompt GeneXpert Laboratory service delivery, adhere to Laboratory best practices, sample processing, data collection, collation and reporting. S/he will also perform administrative and clerical duties that assist in the delivery of quality service for the purpose of testing all TB samples in close collaboration with facility staff, the National and State TB Programs.

Specific objectives and Duties

  • Participate in the diagnostics (Smear Microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF assay)
  • Perform daily, weekly, monthly and annual maintenance of GeneXpert machine and other laboratory equipment as required in a timely manner.
  • Receive, sort and register specimens for testing.
  • Give feedback (test result) to requesting facilities using the laboratory tracking template.
  • Follow laboratory, organizational and collaboration policies.
  • Collate and submit AFB smear microscopy, sputum and stool Xpert MTB/RIF assay reports.
  • Undergo training and competency assessment according to laboratory requirements.
  • Report challenges IHVN supervising officer where necessary.
  • Making suggestions to improve work methods.
  • Train new employees.
  • Working closely with the other team members for the purposes of prompt diagnosis and treatment of patients.
  • Performing any other tasks as directed by the supervisor.
  • Perform every other duty necessary for the successful implementation of TB LON 3 project activities.

iv. Required competencies.

a. Core requirements

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of Data collection and analysis.
  2. Excellent personal communication skills in written and verbal English Strong verbal and written communication skills
  3. Advanced computer usage skills with proficiency in Ms. Word, excel and power point.
  4. Ability to work independently and deliver quality work on time.
  5. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
  6. High impact influencing and persuasive skills
  7. Experience in building capacity at individual and organizational levels.

b. Educational qualification(s) and experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) or Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) with current practicing license from Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).
  • Good computer skills (comfortable with using MS Excel)
  • At least one year working experience in TB Laboratory and the use of GeneXpert and TB Microscopy
  • Attention to details.
  • Good attitude, self-motivation and ability to work well individually as well as in a team.
  • One year’s work experience in TB control program.
  • Experience with a non-governmental organization will be an added advantage.

v. Equal employment opportunity statement

IHVN is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.

vi.    Method of Application

  • Interested and qualified candidates should send a detailed resume and a one-page cover letter as one MS Word document explaining suitability for the position to Assistant Director, Human Resources through this email address: [email protected]
  • All Applications must explicitly state the position applied for and location in the subject of the email. Candidates are advised to provide three professional referees with email addresses and phone numbers. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.