Community Screening Assistant will support implementation of the ICE-TB screening study at district and chest-camp level. The position will be primarily responsible for conducting standardized digital auscultation using the study digital stethoscope device(s), ensuring correct participant identification and data linkage, maintaining device readiness and quality, and supporting smooth participant flow in coordination with the DFS, MIT, laboratory/GeneXpert staff and other project personnel.
Position Detail:
 Base District: Mansehra Cluster Districts: Battagram, and Haripur – 2 positions (1 Male & 1 Female)
 Base District: Mardan, Cluster Districts: Swabi, and Nowshera – 2 positions (1 Male & 1 Female)
 Base District: Hyderabad Cluster District: Jamshoro – 2 positions (1 Male & 1 Female)

Essential Responsibilities (Example Section Below - Adapt to Specific Role, Safeguarding Responsibilities are required for all roles)

1. Digital Stethoscope Operation and Participant Assessment

• Conduct digital auscultation of eligible study participants using the project-approved digital stethoscope device(s) in accordance with the study protocol, training and SOPs.
• Ensure the prescribed auscultation sites, sequence, duration, participant positioning and device placement are followed consistently for every participant.
• Confirm the participant/study ID before each assessment and ensure that the auscultation recording is correctly linked with the participant record.
• Follow the study workflow and blinding requirements, where applicable, and avoid influencing or modifying other screening assessments or results.
• Repeat recordings only when required by the SOP or when a recording is technically inadequate, and document the reason appropriately.
• Maintain participant privacy, dignity and comfort during auscultation, with particular attention to culturally appropriate interaction with female participants.

1. Device Readiness, Handling and Quality Assurance

• Prepare, inspect and test the digital stethoscope and associated accessories before the start of each field session/camp.
• Ensure devices are charged, functional, clean and available with all required accessories before participant enrollment begins.
• Perform routine device checks, calibration or synchronization steps as prescribed by the manufacturer and project SOPs.
• Clean and disinfect the stethoscope/contact surfaces between participants using approved infection-prevention procedures.
• Safeguard project equipment from loss, damage, misuse, dust, heat, moisture and other field-related risks.
• Maintain a device-use and issue log and immediately report malfunction, software/connectivity problems, damaged accessories or unusual device behavior to the supervisor.
• Support inventory control for assigned devices, chargers, tablets/phones, consumables and related accessories.

1. Data Collection, Digital Records and Data Quality

• Enter or synchronize auscultation-related information in the designated study application/platform and ensure complete and accurate records.
• Verify that participant IDs, device-generated files/results and other study records are correctly matched before submission or synchronization.
• Conduct daily checks for missing, duplicate, incomplete or incorrectly linked records and resolve discrepancies in coordination with the DFS/data team.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant information and ensure that study data are not stored, shared, photographed or transmitted through unauthorized channels.
• Support secure transfer/synchronization of digital recordings and study data according to the approved data-management process.
• Promptly inform the supervisor of data-entry, synchronization, connectivity or system issues that may affect study data completeness.

1. Support to Screening Workflow and Field Operations

• Work closely with the DFS, MIT, laboratory/GeneXpert staff and mobilization team to maintain an orderly participant flow at chest camps and participating facilities.
• Coordinate the timing of digital auscultation with verbal screening, chest X-ray/CAD4TB and other study procedures so that participants complete the required screening pathway.
• Support identification and routing of participants who require further testing under the study algorithm, while ensuring that clinical/testing decisions remain with the designated responsible staff.
• Assist the team in tracking participants through the study workflow and flag participants with incomplete study procedures before they leave the camp/facility.
• Support camp setup and close-out activities related to the digital stethoscope station, including equipment placement, privacy arrangements, power/charging readiness and safe packing.
• Travel within the assigned district(s) and to project field locations as required by the implementation schedule.

1. Protocol Compliance, Ethics and Infection Prevention

• Implement all activities in accordance with the approved protocol, informed-consent process, SOPs, research ethics requirements and Mercy Corps/organizational policies.
• Do not perform study procedures on participants who have not completed the required consent/enrollment process.
• Maintain strict participant confidentiality and respectful, non-discriminatory conduct at all times.
• Follow infection-prevention and control measures, including appropriate hand hygiene, use of PPE where required and cleaning/disinfection of equipment between participants.
• Immediately report protocol deviations, participant safety concerns, confidentiality breaches or other study-related incidents through the established reporting channel.

1. Coordination, Reporting and Troubleshooting

• Provide daily updates to the DFS/supervisor on participant assessments completed, device status, operational challenges, missing data and any protocol deviations.
• Maintain required daily/weekly activity records and contribute to district progress reports and study monitoring requirements.
• Participate in project training, refresher sessions, supportive supervision, monitoring visits and review meetings.
• Coordinate with project technical/data teams to troubleshoot device, application and data-linkage issues and implement corrective actions.
• Support visiting project, research, donor or government teams during monitoring visits by explaining the digital auscultation workflow and demonstrating correct procedures when requested.
• Perform other relevant duties related to the ICE-TB screening study as assigned by the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Project Officer

Works Directly With: Senior Project officer, Senior project Coordinator, Senior Project Manager

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

·       Minimum bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline, public health, nursing, allied health sciences, medical technology or another relevant field. Candidates with strong relevant field/research experience may also be considered in line with organizational requirements.

·       Relevant experience in community health, TB screening, research studies, active case finding, health-facility or mobile-camp operations is preferred.

·       Experience using digital/mobile data-collection applications, tablets or other electronic health tools is desirable.

·       Ability and willingness to learn and correctly operate digital stethoscope technology and associated applications.

·       Experience working with government health services, district health teams or community-based health programs will be an advantage.

·       Willingness and ability to travel frequently within the assigned district(s) and work according to field/camp schedules.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standardized research procedures consistently.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including respectful interaction with diverse community members and study participants.
• Basic digital literacy and confidence using smartphones/tablets, mobile applications and electronic records.
• Ability to identify operational or technical problems and escalate them promptly.
• Good teamwork and coordination skills in a multidisciplinary field environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and ethical conduct.
• Ability to work under field conditions, manage participant flow and meet daily implementation targets without compromising data quality or protocol compliance.
• Working knowledge of Urdu and the relevant local language(s); basic written English skills are desirable.