Manager, Health Care Waste Management at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Job Description

• The Manager of Health Care Waste Management will be responsible for overseeing the safe and environmentally sound disposal of medical and healthcare waste generated within healthcare facilities.
• This role plays a critical part in ensuring that healthcare waste, which can include hazardous materials, sharps, infectious waste, pharmaceuticals, and other potentially harmful substances, is managed in compliance with local regulations, international standards, and best practices to protect both public health and the environment.

The specific job description includes the following responsibilities:

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all healthcare waste management activities adhere to local, state, and national regulations regarding waste disposal, including proper handling, storage, transportation, and disposal methods.
• Policy Development: Develop and implement comprehensive healthcare waste management policies and procedures that reflect best practices and comply with legal requirements. These policies should cover waste segregation, handling, storage, transportation, and final disposal methods.
• Training and Education: Provide training and education to healthcare staff on proper waste segregation, handling, and disposal techniques to minimize risks and ensure safety.
• Waste Segregation: Implement and monitor effective waste segregation practices within healthcare facilities to separate different types of wastes, such as infectious waste, hazardous waste, and non-hazardous waste.
• Waste Collection and Transportation: Organize and supervise the collection, packaging, and transportation of different categories of healthcare waste to licensed disposal facilities. This includes coordinating with waste collection contractors and maintaining records of waste shipments.
• Disposal Methods: Evaluate and select appropriate disposal methods for different types of healthcare waste, such as incineration, autoclaving, chemical treatment, or landfill disposal, depending on the nature of the waste and regulations.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identify potential risks associated with healthcare waste management processes and implement measures to mitigate those risks, protecting both healthcare workers and the environment.
• Equipment and Infrastructure: Ensure that healthcare facilities have the necessary equipment, containers, and infrastructure to safely store and manage healthcare waste before disposal.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records and documentation related to waste generation, handling, transportation, and disposal for regulatory compliance and reporting purposes.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Regularly monitor waste management practices, track key performance indicators, and prepare reports on waste management activities and compliance to be presented to senior management or regulatory authorities.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvement and sustainability in healthcare waste management, incorporating new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
• Emergency Response: Develop and implement emergency response plans in case of accidents or incidents related to healthcare waste management, ensuring that proper procedures are in place to handle such situations effectively.

Education and Experience/qualifications: 

• Degree in Environmental or Medical Sciences or any other science course with a master’s degree in any of these courses (Public Health, Environmental/Medical Sciences, or any other relevant courses) and at least five (5) years of progressive experience in HCWM. 
• Previous experience in the preparation of HCWM technical instruments recognized by the World Bank, strong country knowledge and of World Bank safeguard policies, experience in hazardous/HCWM activities is an advantage.    
• At least five years’ experience in developing training manuals or other training documents for programs/projects funded by multilateral agencies specifically on hazardous/HCWM, working experience in Nigeria or developing country under similar conditions.

Good technical and organizational background in performing hazardous/HCWM for programs/projects, and ability to cooperate and interact with stakeholders, including facilitating meetings and workshops.