Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Project summary
The USAID Zambia Integrated Health (USAID ZIH) project aims to improve health outcomes of Zambians through equitable access to high-quality, client-centered HIV, TB/HIV, MNCH, and family planning/reproductive health services, products, and information.
Job summary
The Referrals, Linkages and Clinical Services Integration Officer will play a pivotal role in developing, coordinating and supporting interventions to ensure functional bi-directional referral systems between communities, clinical services, and social service providers, increasing program reach to HIV RoC. The position entails support to HTS activities, Linkage facilitation and implementation of differentiated service delivery to improve community referrals and reporting for health. The incumbent will ensure provision of FP/RH/MNCH, NCD and HIV/TB services using a one stop approach due to the inter linkages of these services.
Main duties
- Provides direct support to ensure functional bi-directional referral systems in all districts by leading in partnership development with DOH at provincial, district and facility level;
- Monitors success of the referral systems, and provide support to troubleshoot and problem-solve as needed;
- Conducts technical assistance and mentoring health facility staff on effective bi-directional referral systems and case management;
- Coordinates case management and tracking for all identified as HIV+ in selected provinces. Conduct follow up with staff to ensure that all identified as HIV+ are linked to a health facility and on antiretroviral treatment;
- Jointly coordinates services including community outreach with HIV Testing and Counseling providers;
- Attends district level quality improvement meetings with relevant HTS stakeholders as required;
- Works collaboratively with Program and M&E teams to ensure all bi-directional referrals data is accurate, produced weekly, is used for decision-making to plan needs based interventions and ensure systematic follow-up of all cases of incomplete referrals;
- Improves patient adherence to treatment when multiple interventions are required.
- Develops and implements efficient appointment system to avoids missed opportunities for key interventions and minimizes patients being ‘lost’ in the system and treatment interruption.
- Provides technical support in creating and strengthening linkages and referral networks between facility and community activities ensuring there is seamless implementation of activities leading to improved health outcomes.
- Promotes and maintain teamwork and open communication for a motivated workforce across all project sites
Qualifications
- Diploma in Clinical Medical Sciences or Nursing
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in HIV/ Health integration services
- Hands on clinical experience in HIV service delivery and community engagement
- Excellent training skills in working with adult learners, particularly at health facility and community level.
- Able and willingly to work flexible hours as needed without constant or close supervision.
- Demonstrated leadership and team building skills.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in project implementation, excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
- Good computer skills, including competence in MS Office and internet/e-mail.
Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply. However, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.