Organization: Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo
Location: Neno, Malawi
Eligible Citizenship: Malawi
Application Code: M10-Nat
Job Function: eHealth / eLearning / mHealth, Information Technology / ICT / Informatics
Issue Area: Community Health Workers, Health Systems Strengthening / Healthcare Access
About
Partners In Health (PIH) is a non-profit corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, research, and advocacy, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH currently has programs in Haiti, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Burundi, Kazakhstan, the Dominican Republic, and Boston.
PIH has been working in Malawi since 2007 supporting the Ministry of Health in strengthening health systems and providing quality health care in the Neno District.
Position Overview
The Medical Informatics Specialist will report directly to the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation in order to ensure that our systems are maximizing value for our patients with a specific focus on electronic medical records and mhealth. This will involve liaising and capacity building with the clinical team to ensure that mhealth and Informatics are meeting clinical priorities and that there is maximal and optimal utilization of these resources by the clinical staff. It will also mean supporting the IT team in order to effectively implement existing and new interventions in mhealth and electronic medical records.
Responsibilities
Supporting the Electronic Medical Records systems, file servers, and network management servers
- Server setup, including installation of OpenMRS, an open source web-based electronic medical record system programmed in Java using a mySQL database
- Management of server software updates and backups for servers and databases
- Troubleshooting software problems in OpenMRS and others systems
- Creation of new content for the Electronic Medical Record systems, including the creation of new HTML forms for data entry in OpenMRS and new reports using SQL on OpenMRS,
- Creating new modules in Java to extend OpenMRS functionality
- Expanding the point-of-care system with new functionality for clinical workflows, data collection and information representation
- Create tools in Java and/or MySQL to perform large scale data cleaning operations
- Respond to clinical department needs for electronic medical records reports and functions
- Work with the Med Informatics team to design and program any new mHealth initiatives
Using electronic systems to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the operations systems at Partners In Health
- Improve stock management systems to track consumption of medications, consumables and other products; develop systems for accurate forecasting and supply chain management
- Improve and implement quality improvement measures to enhance pharmaceutical supply chain management
- Strategize with management and assess appropriateness of applying electronic systems to other work areas
- Developing software applications to improve the operations of the organization
Desired Skills and Experience
Items indicated with an asterisk (*) are required- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field*
- Knowledge and experience in the following areas:
- MySQL server, including SQL reporting, and Linux server administration
- Web application development in Java and/or Ruby on Rails
- CommCare or other mHealth experience
- Experience in statistical data analysis would be an added advantage
- Exposure to issues relevant to public health and international development
- Ability to interact professionally and with sensitivity with diverse staff, clients, health workers and partners, including the Ministry of Health
- Fluency in Chichewa
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of programs
- Willingness to take on additional work outside of the job description as required by PIH
- Comfortable living in a rural area with ability to take initiative and work with minimal direction
Fellowship Logistics
During the fellowship year, all fellows are provided with:
- A living stipend of $650/month
- Housing and utilities
- Health insurance
- A professional development grant of $600
- An award of $1500 upon successful completion of the fellowship year
- Travel costs covered to and from placement site, training and retreats
*Note: The living stipend and the completion award may be paid out in USD or local currency, as determined by the placement organization.
Living and Working in Malawi: Fellows are provided with basic housing and a utilities stipend during the fellowship year. Fellows placed at PIH/APZU will be provided a room in a modest staff guesthouse in Neno with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Neno is a rural setting and fellows will have limited access to urban centers.
