Interested in influenza and COVID-19 research? Fixed term opportunity join and participate in our clinical research team.
Contract: 8 month fixed term- full time
Secondment or recruitment opportunities for Registered Nurses
- Love working for a DHB and ready for a new recruitment opportunity?
- Wanting an opportunity to participate in a research team
- Interested in influenza and COVID-19 research
- Confident in phlebotomy
About the role
Regional Public Health (RPH) has an exciting fixed term 8 month opportunity within Hutt Valley DHB to participate in a clinical research team, supported by Regional Public Health and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited (ESR). The WellKiwis research team are made up of experienced public health nurses and phlebotomists.
RPH successfully participated in SHIVERS II in 2018 to 2020 and the WellKiwis study in 2020. The 2021 season brings a new study WellKiwis - household transmission, which is looking at influenza immunity and transmission within the household setting. Symptomatic participants will also be tested for COVID-19, we will ensure staff and participants are protected through the use of PPE and mobile swabbing. Once the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out in New Zealand, the study will examine its effectiveness within the study cohort.
This research is funded by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) and St. Jude Children’s Hospital USA . The research programme is based at the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease, Upper Hutt.
The Role:
This position is predominantly Monday-Friday with some flexibility to assist with occasional community events participation, or collection of samples in evenings/weekends as required. The role supports the wider clinical team by:
- Triaging and monitoring participant survey responses within a timely manner
- Contacting symptomatic participants by phone, matching symptoms against case definition, keeping accurate documentation and arranging required visits
- Mobile clinical sampling (nasopharyngeal swabs, throat/nasal swabs, blood samples)
- Taking blood samples from participants and household members of all ages
- Education of study participants around their participation in the study (use of self-swabbing kits, education around symptom management etc.)
- The opportunity to be part of an innovative, International study and develop an understanding of research methods, and research ethics
Services are delivered from the National Centre of Biosecurity and Infectious Disease (ESR), Wallaceville, Upper Hutt and will require working in the community visiting study participants at their home. Resources include access to the use of a clinical testing van/car, cell phone, laptop and clinical supplies.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- New Zealand Registered Nurse with current practicing certificate
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Comfortable working in unusual or complex environments
- Have a full drivers licence, and geographical knowledge of the greater Wellington region
- Phlebotomy experience (ideally comfortable with a range of ages)
- Experience in triaging/phone nursing, emergency department, paediatric, practice nursing, midwifery or public health an advantage
How to apply
For further information on this role, please email our Recruitment Team and indicate the vacancy number 1114090-21 and job title in the subject line.
Apply and see a copy of the job description on our careers website: healthyjobs.co.nz.
Please note: For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process.
Closing date: Thursday 11 March 2021