Research Assistant: Mhint Psychosis 1 Year Fixed Term Contract

**The University of KwaZulu-Natal is committed to meeting the objectives of Employment Equity to**

**improve representivity within the Institution. Preference will be given to applicants from**

**designated groups in accordance with our Equity Plan.**

**Research Assistant
- MhINT Psychosis (2 posts)**

**(1year fixed term contract)**

**College of Health Sciences**

**Centre for Research in Health systems**

**School of Nursing and Public Health**

**uMgungundlovu District**

**Reference Number: MHP2/RA2025**

**Preamble**:The CRH conducts research to strengthen health systems with a focus on developing

and testing innovations and service delivery improvement within resource constrained settings,

extending to improving governance, participation, and universal health coverage.

**Project description: Feasibility and acceptability of critical time intervention to support people**

**with severe mental illness following post-acute hospital discharge in South Africa**

Evidence-based interventions in low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) that promote positive

outcomes for people living with severe mental illness (SMIs) in community settings, particularly

following the disruption and trauma of acute psychiatric hospitalization, remain limited. This period

of transition is a particularly promising window wherein the effects of interventions aiming to

prevent psychiatric relapse and promote individual wellbeing can be maximized. The overall aim

of this research is to determine the feasibility of real-world implementation of a co-produced

health system strengthening intervention in reducing hospital re-admission rates related outcomes

among people living with severe mental illness following acute psychiatric hospitalization in South

Africa.

**Brief Summary of position: - Fieldworkers x2 (Health Care Facilities)**

The Research Assistant
- MhINT Psychosis will be required to work with mental health patients and

their families, and community health workers, and WBPHCOTS using established research

procedures. Duties include administration of psychological assessments for patients with psychosis,

visits to households, administration of questionnaires and interviews, liaison with family members of

patients with psychosis, and health care facilities and stakeholders.

**Minimum Requirements**:

- 4 Year Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych) degree with registration with HPCSA OR MA

in Social Work specializing in mental health OR 4 year Diploma in Nursing OR 4 year

Degree in Nursing
- 1 year Fieldwork experience in qualitative interviewing and administering

questionnaires
- Driver’s license with at least 2 years experience driving
- Experience working with people with psychosis

**Essential Requirements**:

- Proven capacity to work independently / without constant supervision
- Work experience in health research settings involving communities
- Work experience in mental health services
- Fluent isiZulu /English
- Willing to travel to rural and urban community settings
- Willing to travel between healthcare settings and within communities, including

conducting research within households

**Additional information**

The remuneration package offered will be in line with university salary scales and dependent on

the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. The contract period is 12 months

with the possibility of extension depending on availability of external funding. Please note these

posts are based in uMgungundlovu District. The project does not cover any relocation or

**This post reports to the Project Coordinator. The job profile is available from Dr Tasneem Kathree,**

**order to facilitate further searches.**

**vitae formatted to include each minimum requirement as stated in the advertisement, together**

**with supporting documents where applicable, and a covering letter and must be sent to E-mail