Mini-Lab Supervisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main Purpose

• The Mini-Lab supervisor is involved in the delivery of clinical laboratory operations in accordance with the
• Mini-Lab protocols and safety and hygiene rules, in order to obtain reliable results allowing clinicians to choose patient treatments.
• He/she will also be involved in various general activities related to his/her role as laboratory supervisor.
• He/she will also be in charge of the specific human resources operations set out in the responsibilities section of this job description.
• The supervisor reports to the MIO or, in their absence, to the manager of the hospital in which the Mini- Lab is located;
• The supervisor works in partnership with all other laboratory supervisors in the mission;
• The supervisor will have to work in close partnership with the medical team of the mission..

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• The supervisor will have the same responsibilities as a laboratory technician plus those relating to his/her status as supervisor.
• Being proficient in good laboratory practices and safety rules;
• Being proficient in and delivering the whole testing process for each type of sample:

Pre-testing:

• Receipt and recording all samples.

Testing:

• Performing all examinations and clinical tests according to the defined techniques while following the different standard Mini-Lab protocols and procedures. In particular, this role involves identifying micro-organisms and performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Post-testing:

• Understanding the interpretation of test results and the returning of results.
• Being proficient in the Mini-Lab computer system (Mini-LIMS) in order to ensure that the data collected at each step is logged;
• Maintaining the direct work environment (workstation) according to the recommendations and carrying out all the tasks, maintenance and readings by following and complying with the defined work plan;
• Noting any non-conformities related to tests, equipment or more generally to the operation of the MiniLab as a whole, and reporting these to managers;
• Reporting any relevant information related to laboratory operations and any problems concerning testsbeing performed correctly to the line manager;
• Ensuring that samples and all infectious waste generated by the Mini-Lab are disposed of correctly in accordance with established protocols and defined safety rules;
• Monitoring the stock in the Mini-Lab using the available resources;
• Understanding the document management set up in the laboratory;
• Managing, performing and reporting on the results of quality controls, as well as ensuring that any corrective actions are performed correctly if any non-conformity is detected.

Responsibilities specific to the Mini-Lab supervisor role
HR:

• Ensuring that documents are given out to operators, in particular when there is an updated version;
• Managing the monitoring of technicians’ skills in the performance of their role;
• Carrying out individual interviews and managing any type of team conflict;
• Assisting the mission’s HR department in recruiting new laboratory technicians;
• Training new staff (laboratory technicians);
• Managing the Mini-Lab on a day-to-day basis to ensure proper functioning in terms of work organisation, distribution of tasks, technician planning, leave planning;
• Working in partnership with the mission’s HR department on human resources aspects of the Mini-Lab (leave, working hours, absence for any reason, etc.).

Stock:

• Managing the stock of consumables and reagents in the laboratory and placing routine orders;
• Supporting the pharmacist in pharmacy stock management, inventories and preparing international orders.

Technical:

• Supervising laboratory technicians in their daily tasks;
• Ensuring that laboratory technicians strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the MiniLab, good laboratory practices (GLP) and hygiene and safety rules;
• Resolving and monitoring non-conformities in the tests or in the functioning of the laboratory;
• Monitoring quality assurance (internal and external quality controls);
• Knowing how to find help if there is a breakdown in testing capability.

Communication and validation of results:

• Managing strains being sent to reference laboratories;
• Validating and communicating test results to clinicians;
• Ensuring that all sensitive data, in particular those relating to patient test results, remain confidential;
• Participating in the various meetings that may involve or concern the Mini-Lab.

Monitoring operations:

• Collecting and analysing laboratory activity data;
• Monitoring activity, quality and epidemiological indicators;
• Writing all types of reports for monitoring indicators on a monthly and annual basis

Minimum Required Skills and Qualifications
Education

• Diploma or post-graduate diploma in laboratory technology required

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience working as a laboratory technician required;

Desirable:

• Professional experience in microbiology.

Languages

• English Language essential
• Other local languages considered an asset

Knowledge

• Essential computer literacy in MS Office packages (Word, Excel, internet, SharePoint, OneDrive)

Competencies

• Results driven and quality service orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Behavioural Flexibility
• Commitment to MSF Principles
• Stress Management.