Senior Instructor - Department of Family Medicine & Virtual Care at Aga Khan University Hospital

Senior Instructor - Department of Family Medicine & Virtual Care

Entity: Medical College

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:

The Aga Khan University (AKU), a private, self-governing international university chartered in Pakistan, is a role model for academic, research and service programs in health and higher education.

The Department of Family Medicine is the first in Pakistan to be recognized as a specialty at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The department fosters a thriving, collaborative environment focusing on quality care, excellence in learning and education, and in realizing the pivotal role of Family Medicine in the health care delivery system at the policy level.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible to:

• Support the successful implementation and ongoing delivery of teleconsultation services under the Virtual Care initiative.
• Provide accessible, ethical, compassionate, and evidence-based care to patients through telemedicine platforms in alignment with Family Medicine principles.
• Develop and implement teleconsultation protocols, including:
  • Defining criteria for appropriate teleconsultation encounters.
  • Identifying conditions requiring in-person evaluation, urgent referral, or emergency care.
  • Ensuring continuity and quality of care comparable to face-to-face consultations.
  • Developing and maintaining the Emergency Services Exclusion Protocol, including provider assessment guidelines and patient referral instructions.
• Design and deliver training for doctors, nurses, and allied staff, focusing on:
  • Virtual clinical assessment and adapted physical examination techniques.
  • Effective patient communication and rapport building in a virtual environment.
  • Appropriate documentation of teleconsultations, including technology modalities used.
  • Integration of telemedicine workflows into routine clinical practice.
• Develop standardized, evidence-based pre-set responses/templates for text-based (asynchronous) teleconsultations to ensure consistency, efficiency, and safe patient guidance.
• Provide supervision and clinical oversight to medical officers, residents, and other clinicians conducting teleconsultations to ensure adherence to established protocols, quality standards, and professional conduct.
• Conduct audits and quality assurance of teleconsultation services, including:
  • Evaluating clinical effectiveness, diagnostic accuracy, and patient safety.
  • Assessing adherence to protocols and appropriate use of telemedicine.
  • Monitoring patient satisfaction and service efficiency.
  • Identifying gaps and implementing continuous quality improvement measures.
• Contribute to the development of policies, guidelines, and best practices for Virtual Care services within the institution.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including IT and administrative units, to ensure smooth functioning of telemedicine services.
• Carry out any other responsibilities as assigned by the Project Lead/Chair including urgent care and resident supervision.

Requirements:

You should have:

• Completed a structured postgraduate training program in Family Medicine (FCPS, American Board certification, or equivalent) with a valid PMDC license.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in telemedicine, digital health, or primary care service delivery (preferred).
• Strong clinical judgment with a patient-centred, ethical, and empathetic approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly for virtual patient interactions.
• Ability to ensure patient confidentiality, data privacy, and secure use of digital platforms.
• Experience in protocol development, clinical supervision, or quality improvement will be an added advantage.
• In addition, you should have demonstrated scholarship either through research and publications in peer reviewed indexed journals or by virtue of substantial contributions to education.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.