Regional Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance (HPC/ALH 2)

Summary

Under the general direction of the Regional Technical Director through the Regional Non-communicable Disease Coordinator, the Regional Non-communicable Disease Surveillance Officer is responsible for organizing, planning, coordinating and evaluating strategies and programmes for reducing the incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and Injuries in the Region. To achieve this incumbent will: Ensure the maintenance and operation of NCD and Injury surveillance systems for monitoring chronic diseases and injuries at regional and parish levels. Compile and analyse data for planning health interventions in the Region. Develop strategies for involving the community in Non-Communicable Disease and Injury Prevention in collaboration with Regional Directorate. Provide technical support on matters related to Non-Communicable Disease and Injury Prevention to the Regional Technical Director.

Responsibilities

• Key Outputs:

  • • Verified reports from Noncommunicable disease registries
  • • Noncommunicable diseases case investigation and case abstraction
  • • Monthly/quarterly/annual reports on the status of the surveillance and registry programmes submitted to the RHA and Ministry of Health and Wellness, Health Promotion and Protection Branch, Non-Communicable Disease and Injury Prevention Unit
  • • Quality Assurance Audits conducted and reports presented and submitted
  • • Regional NCD Plan and Programmes are consistent with national policies
  • • Advice given is technically sound
  • • Confidentiality of information is maintained

• Key Responsibility Areas:

  • • Collaborate in the development of Regional plans and programmes for reducing the incidence of non-communicable diseases and injuries/accidents.
  • • Ensure the maintenance and operation of a surveillance system for noncommunicable diseases and injuries/accidents at Regional and Parish levels.
  • • Ensure the maintenance and currency of all NCD databases and registers.
  • • In collaboration with Technical Officers at the parish, regional and the national levels, ensure that data is properly collected and compiled and that timely and accurate reports are generated for submission to the Region and Ministry of Health and Wellness.
  • • Conduct audits of the NCD and Injury Prevention Programme areas
  • • Training service providers to conduct NCD case abstractions
  • • Review/Conduct NCD case investigations/abstractions and make recommendations to improve data quality
  • • Provide guidance on matters relating to NCD epidemiology in the Region.
  • • Utilize surveillance data on disease patterns and injuries to determine health status and undertake trend analysis and forecasting at regional and parish levels.
  • • Collaborate with Regional technical staff, Medical Officers of Health and Senior Medical Officers in the analysis of programme indicators, their timely collection, collation and report writing.
  • • Compile narrative and statistical reports on surveillance data within the region for submission to the Regional Technical Director through the Regional NCD Coordinator.
  • • Collaborate in the design and development of surveillance systems for current non-communicable diseases or conditions.
  • • Liaise with other agencies on issues related to epidemiology and surveillance.
  • • Provide information to Medical Practitioners and other health workers at regional and parish levels on NCD programmes and indicators.
  • • Assist in the training of Public Health Officers and field staff involved in disease surveillance in the Region.
  • • Utilize surveillance data to guide health promotion strategies at Regional and parish levels.
  • • Keep abreast of disease trends and patterns regionally and internationally and utilize data to inform decision-making.
  • • Represent the Regional Health Authority at meetings held at the NCD unit (Ministry of Health and Wellness) and report on national data and trends.
  • • Participates in research on select cancers and other non-communicable diseases and facilitating multi-disciplinary requests for related data for projects and research.
  • • Perform any other related duties as assigned from time to time

• Performance Standards:

  • • Deadlines are consistently met.
  • • Work Plan(s)/ Operational Plan(s) are completed accurately and in a timely manner
  • • Quality assurance mechanisms are established and monitored
  • • Reports are technically correct, comprehensive and delivered in a timely manner
  • • Performance level is consistently high

Required Skills

• Functional/Technical:

  • • Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate the work of others
  • • Knowledge of the National Cancer Registry Guidelines
  • • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Guidelines
  • • CARPHA and National Surveillance Guidelines
  • • Knowledge of the Service Level Agreement
  • • Knowledge of research methodology
  • • Basic understanding of the ICD 10 Coding the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) and the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, (ICD-O-3)
  • • Knowledge of Quality Assurance principles
  • • Knowledge of management principles and practices
  • • Ability to use technology
  • • Knowledge of hospital and health centre functions and operations
  • • Knowledge of principles, practices, and professional standards of medical records management and terminology.

• Core:

  • • Good written and oral communication skills
  • • Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
  • • Good human relations and interpersonal skills
  • • Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
  • • Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals
  • • Good analytical and problem-solving skills
  • • Good time management skills and ability to meet tight deadlines
  • • Flexibility and adaptability in working unusual hours and days (weekend, holiday) if necessary
  • • Ability to work with minimum supervision
  • • Show initiative in planning and execution of duties
  • • A high level of integrity and professionalism
  • • Ability to work professionally and cooperate with team members and representatives of other agencies
  • • Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information.

Qualifications

• • Five years' experience in the health field to include three (3) years' experience in disease surveillance
• • Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or equivalent
• • Registered with the Relevant Registering Body
• • Work experience in primary and secondary health care is an asset

Additional Information and Instructions

• Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

  • • Expected to travel across parishes, regionally and nationally for Cancer Registration and other NCD surveillance, meetings and consultations with hospital and primary care staff
  • • Expected to travel to National and Parish meetings, and events related to NCD and Injury surveillance including cancers
  • • Required to work extensive hours in manual search, recording and registration as necessary

• Authority:

  • • To recommend and implement norms and standards for surveillance and registry related activities
  • • To visit any Parish, Primary Care or Secondary/Tertiary Care institution for/in the relevant Regional Health Authority
  • • Responsible for participating in budget preparation related to Noncommunicable diseases and ensuring that the approved allocations are utilized as stipulated

Applications with curricula vitae are to be submitted to: South East Regional Health Authority The Director Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations South East Regional Health Authority The Towers, 2nd Floor 25 Dominica Drive Kingston 5​ All applications should be submitted via email to employment@serha.gov.jm or recruitmentserha2023@gmail.com. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 11, 2025. ​​​🔑 Please include the job title in the subject line of your email. We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

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