Salary $ 3,250,000.00 per annum
JOB PURPOSE
The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to characterize the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, through the collection, analysis and interpretation of high quality data. Much of the data used to inform the response to the on-going pandemic is contributed by the epidemiological surveillance system. Maintenance of the capacity and resilience of this system is critical, especially in in the face of new public health threats.
The dissemination of accurate and useful information is dependent on the use of high-quality data. The latter is threatened by gaps in the surveillance records of confirmed COVID-19 cases including ‘missing data’ regarding key demographic and clinical parameters, which are critical for analysis. This has especially hampered the classification of the notified COVID-19 related deaths, of which 267 remain under investigation pending further information, as at September 30, 2022. The classification of these deaths required dedicated and vigilant follow-up, including site visits as part of the effort to obtain the information necessary to close the cases.
The Surveillance Coordinator post will provide assistance to the National Epidemiology team by assuring surveillance data quality for decision making, as well as to provide support to the COVID-19 research agenda activities. This officer will also provide ongoing assessment of the current COVID-19 surveillance system, make recommendations, and support their implementation.
OBJECTIVES
- To complete COVID-19 confirmed case and death records.
- To prepare COVID-19 data for analysis.
- To improve surveillance data quality and capture in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- To strengthen surveillance mechanisms for future pandemic responses
- To support the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 research activities
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS INCLUDES:
- Complete case records
- Contact and liaise with clinician, health facility staff, parish health department staff, regional health authority staff, and where necessary, patients, to complete surveillance case records.
- Conduct chart reviews and extract data to complete surveillance datasets for cases and contacts of cases of COVID – 19 infection, as specified in the surveillance protocols.
- Update relevant data collection forms and databases with retrieved case data
- Liaise with the Health Services Planning and Integration Branch staff to cross-validate clinical data on cases
- Document progress of case record completion
- Be available during fieldwork to answer questions, solve problems and make recommendations for improving and sustaining surveillance mechanisms in the response to the pandemic.
- Resolve issues during field work in discussion with supervisor
- Supervise data entry and conduct training where applicable
- Conduct Audits of COVID-19 Surveillance System and make recommendations to address deficits
- Prepare case summaries
- Assist with preparing Daily, Weekly, and ad hoc Epidemiology Reports as needed
- Participate in development and implementation of COVID-19 related research protocols including data collection activities, e.g., participant interview
- Any other duties
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine, Nursing, Environmental health or other relevant health field.
- Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or other health field
- Formal qualification is Health Administration of Business Analysis, an
- Experience in epidemiology or public health
- Intermediate proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel
- Knowledge of the organization of the public health systems in Jamaica
Applications with résumés are to be submitted no later than Monday, March 20, 2023, to:
Director
Human Resource Management & Development
Ministry of Health & Wellness
10A Chelsea Avenue
Kingston 10
The Ministry of Health thanks all applicants for their interest; however, please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.