Research Nurse job at Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI)

Background

The mission of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) is to strengthen health systems in Africa with emphasis on infectious diseases through research and capacity development. IDI has five operational areas through which it works to achieve its mission: Prevention, Care and Treatment; Training, Research; and Laboratory and Outreach programs.

Project Background:

The meningitis research team aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of various forms of meningitis in adults. Currently, 3 studies are running in Kampala:

COAST – an observational cohort study investigating etiologies and outcomes amongst adults presenting with meningitis.

BPaLMZ - A Phase 2 Novel Antimicrobial Combination Therapy to Treat Tuberculous Meningitis

PLATFORM-CM - open-label randomized trial with single or potentially multiple interventional arms to compare the efficacy and safety of novel antifungal or adjunctive therapies to standard of care (SOC) controls of WHO first-line therapy.

Job Summary

The Research Nurse is responsible for supporting the implementation of clinical research studies by providing high-quality participant care and ensuring study activities are conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), study protocols, ethical guidelines, and regulatory requirements. The Research Nurse is responsible for participant recruitment, informed consent, clinical assessments, study procedures, safety monitoring, accurate documentation, and maintaining participant confidentiality while working closely with investigators, study coordinators, and other members of the research team.

Key Responsibilities

• Screen and support the enrollment and follow-up of participants in meningitis clinical research studies in accordance with approved study protocols and ethical guidelines.
• Support the informed consent process by coordinating participant education and ensuring informed consent is appropriately documented under the supervision of the Principal Investigator or delegated clinician.
• Perform protocol-required nursing activities, including vital signs assessment, medication administration, specimen collection, participant preparation, and other study-related nursing procedures within the scope of practice.
• Conduct participant adherence assessments and provide education and counselling to promote compliance with study medications, follow-up visits, and study procedures.
• Support the Medical Officer during study-specific clinical procedures, including lumbar punctures, by preparing participants, assisting during procedures, monitoring participants, and providing post-procedure nursing care.
• Monitor participants for adverse events and changes in clinical status, promptly reporting findings to the Medical Officer or Principal Investigator.
• Collect, process, label, document, and transport study specimens according to study protocols and laboratory procedures.
• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely documentation of nursing activities and study data in source documents, Case Report Forms (CRFs), and electronic data capture systems.
• Coordinate participant visits, follow-up appointments, and retention activities to promote study compliance.
• Maintain study supplies, equipment, and participant records in an organized and inspection-ready manner.
• Support monitoring visits, audits, regulatory inspections, and quality assurance activities by maintaining accurate study documentation.
• Ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), infection prevention and control standards, study protocols, and institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in study meetings, protocol training, and continuous professional development activities.
• Perform any other study-related duties assigned by the Principal Investigator or Trial Manager.

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing with a valid practicing license/registration.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing with a valid practicing license/registration.
• At least three (3) years of experience in clinic research or 2 years of work experience in a clinical trial.
• Basic knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Human Subjects Protection (HSP), or willingness to complete training upon appointment.
• Basic understanding of clinical research regulations and ethical requirements in Uganda.

Key Competencies and Skills

• Strong clinical assessment and patient care skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to obtain informed consent and effectively communicate with study participants and caregivers.
• Good organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to accurately document clinical and research data.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; experience with electronic data capture systems is an added advantage.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet study timelines.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work in demanding clinical environments while maintaining high standards of participant safety and research quality

• Screen and support the enrollment and follow-up of participants in meningitis clinical research studies in accordance with approved study protocols and ethical guidelines.
• Support the informed consent process by coordinating participant education and ensuring informed consent is appropriately documented under the supervision of the Principal Investigator or delegated clinician.
• Perform protocol-required nursing activities, including vital signs assessment, medication administration, specimen collection, participant preparation, and other study-related nursing procedures within the scope of practice.
• Conduct participant adherence assessments and provide education and counselling to promote compliance with study medications, follow-up visits, and study procedures.
• Support the Medical Officer during study-specific clinical procedures, including lumbar punctures, by preparing participants, assisting during procedures, monitoring participants, and providing post-procedure nursing care.
• Monitor participants for adverse events and changes in clinical status, promptly reporting findings to the Medical Officer or Principal Investigator.
• Collect, process, label, document, and transport study specimens according to study protocols and laboratory procedures.
• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely documentation of nursing activities and study data in source documents, Case Report Forms (CRFs), and electronic data capture systems.
• Coordinate participant visits, follow-up appointments, and retention activities to promote study compliance.
• Maintain study supplies, equipment, and participant records in an organized and inspection-ready manner.
• Support monitoring visits, audits, regulatory inspections, and quality assurance activities by maintaining accurate study documentation.
• Ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), infection prevention and control standards, study protocols, and institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in study meetings, protocol training, and continuous professional development activities.
• Perform any other study-related duties assigned by the Principal Investigator or Trial Manager.

• Strong clinical assessment and patient care skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to obtain informed consent and effectively communicate with study participants and caregivers.
• Good organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to accurately document clinical and research data.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; experience with electronic data capture systems is an added advantage.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet study timelines.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work in demanding clinical environments while maintaining high standards of participant safety and research quality

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing with a valid practicing license/registration.
• At least three (3) years of experience in clinic research or 2 years of work experience in a clinical trial.
• Basic knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Human Subjects Protection (HSP), or willingness to complete training upon appointment.
• Basic understanding of clinical research regulations and ethical requirements in Uganda.