Laboratory Scientist at eHealth Systems Africa

Department: Lab
Reports to: Practice and Quality Assurance Manager

Summary of Job

• The Laboratory Scientist will be expected to provide first-class services by applying skills and scientific knowledge to support accurate medical diagnoses and the wellbeing of our patients.
• In this role, you will perform a variety of laboratory tests and procedures to assist in diagnosing, monitoring, treating and preventing disease.
• Essential Duties and Responsibilities: to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

Laboratory Scientist Duties

• S/he collect and analyze body fluids, tissue and other substances to determine normal or abnormal findings.
• You'll operate sophisticated equipment and instruments to identify the results. Both technicians and technologists perform tests and procedures that physicians or other healthcare personnel order.
• Maintains quality results by running standards and controls, verifying equipment function through routine equipment maintenance and advanced troubleshooting; calibrating equipment utilizing approved testing procedures; monitoring quality control measures and protocols.
• Identifies and communicates abnormal results by alerting supervisory personnel, the patient physician, or nurse.
• S/he will need to be able to conduct the following investigations;
• (Toxicology) identifies the presence or quantity of drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs, and toxic substances by operating toxicology instrumentation and performing manual methods for the performance of drug screens, blood alcohol levels, and carbon monoxide levels.
• (Chemistry) provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating chemistry equipment; performing hand chemistries.
• (Hematology) provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating hematology, urinalysis, and coagulation equipment; performing manual methods of differentials.
• (Immunology) provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating equipment such as the gamma counter, spectrophotometer, densitometer, and through methods such as radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay, and serological testing.
• (Microbiology) provides physician with information for treatment of patient infection by performing technical procedures for the identification or susceptibility of bacteria, parasites, fungi, and mycobacteria.
• (Blood bank) ensures the patient of receiving compatible blood/blood components by completing blood typing, antibody screening, compatibility testing, and antibody identification procedures.
• (Blood bank) assures future retrieval of patient transfusion information by preparing patient packets and maintaining blood bank database.
• Organizes work by matching computer orders with specimen labeling; sorting specimens; checking labeling; logging specimens; arranging reports for delivery; keeping work surfaces clean and orderly.
• Using a Lab Information Management System for specimen tracking, results entry and reporting.
• Contributes to a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers by following established standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
• Maintains patient’s confidence by keeping laboratory information confidential.
• Serves and protects the Diagnostic firm by adhering to professional standards, laboratories policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and other pre-specified standards.
• Enhances laboratory services and laboratory reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Other duties as assigned from time to time.

Patient & Family Education / Support:

• Provide emotional support and measures to alleviate fear and anxiety.
• Assess patient and family readiness and identifying learning needs.
• Lead/encourage multidisciplinary approach for patient’s discharge.
• Develop and implement the teaching plan utilizing patient education manual.
• Document patient and family education.
• Participate in voluntary community health activities to promote, maintain and restore health and prevent diseases.
• Adheres to Policies and Procedures.
• Adheres to EHA Clinics Code of Conduct as well as ethical standards of the field.

Customer Service Requirements:

• Must have excellent customer service skills and communication skills
• Must be able to plan and perform daily activities in an organized manner.
• Must be kind, compassionate, dedicated and patient.
• Must have the ability to handle different kinds of emotions as well as manage on the job stress.
• Must be focused, very detailed and be creative in making decision.
• Must be physically and mentally stable to  handle extended shifts as well as mental pressure and traumatic events.
• Must be able to review, analyze and respond to different situations they encounter daily.
• Must be able to think critically in adapting to change, judging situations and taking appropriate decisions.

Professional Development:

• EHA Clinics requires all staff to keep their knowledge and skills up to date
• S/he is expected to continue to learn throughout their career at EHA Clinics through continuing professional development (CPD).
• The professional body relating to specialist areas will have information on the type of CPD to be carried out and how much should be completed each year.

Key Areas of Note:

• Ensure continuing education, training and development is undertaken to meet clinical governance guidelines for Continuing Professional Development and a Personal Development Plan.
• Keep up to date with relevant medical research, technology, and evidence-based medical practice by attending continuing education courses and professional meetings, reading journals, etc.
• Perform a variety of research and analysis tasks associated with improvement of clinical care, medical diagnosis, and treatment where appropriate.
• Audit of clinical practice and review of relevant literature.
• Research unusual symptoms and treatment options, through consultation with physicians and other medical specialists.
• Provide literature reviews and the like; review, analyze and determine the significance of a variety of diagnostic test results.

Qualifications & Training

• A minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Laboratory Science from an accredited university.
• Candidate must possess a Certification from the Associate of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (AMLSCN)
• Candidate must possess a current practising license.
• Relevant Certification will be an added advantage.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years working experience in a Medical Laboratory, Clinic or hospital.

Key Skills and Attributes:

• Computer literacy
• Excellent Communication
• Working Under Pressure
• Humane, Empathetic and Supportive Bedside Manner
• Leadership and Teamwork
• Problem solving and Initiative
• Time Management and Organization
• Attention to Detail.

Salary

• Competitive salary scale based on improvements from the CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures as well as surveys from top private hospitals in Nigeria. Salary is negotiable but performance-based. Base salary constitutes 70%, while 30% is a bonus based on predefined individual performance indicators and monthly organizational performance.

Other Benefits
The following benefits are available with this offer of employment:

• Health Insurance: EHA Clinics will cover medical expenses for yourself, your spouse and up to two dependents. Further details are contained in the Nigeria Addendum to the EHA Clinics Employee Handbook.  
• Group Life Assurance: EHA Clinics provides life insurance for you as our employee. This insurance is payable in the event of your death. The effective date of coverage will be upon successful completion of your probationary period.
• Group & Personal Accident: EHA Clinics provides Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (ADD) for you as our employee. AD&D covers death by accidental means (rather than natural causes) and dismemberment. The effective date of coverage is your hire date.
• Pension: EHA Clinics supports employee retirement preparation and investment by paying a 10% pension contribution on top of the statutory pension contribution of 8% that is already factored into your salary.
• Annual Leave: You are entitled to 21 days paid annual leave accrued at 1.75 days/month. Employees may begin scheduling leave with their direct supervisor upon successful completion of their probationary period.