Senior Technical Associate - Laboratory Services at APIN

Job Task:

This position will report to the State Laboratory Lead and will assist in the planning, implementation and monitoring of laboratory services in Benue state. S/He will work with the members of the state program teams to support the delivery of quality laboratory services across all supported facilities. The person will assist in the development of guidelines, documented procedures and other tools required for effective service delivery. S/he will work with assigned facilities to ensure the optimal functionality of equipment, proper management of supplies, timely reporting of data, and overall improvement in the efficiency of entire laboratory services.

Other duties

• Assist in the development and adaptation of relevant policies and guidelines required for required to provide quality laboratory services.
• Assist in the evaluation of laboratory methods/procedures, and conduct of periodic assessment and review of activities.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of the Integrated Sample Referral Network and an efficient biosafety and infection control program across all supported healthcare facilities and communities.
• Design and implement a system for the proper documentation of all laboratory activities using the appropriate tools.
• Support and monitor QA/QC activities in all supported facilities, and ensure DTS are available and in use at all testing points.
• Ensure routine preventative maintenance is performed on all diagnostic and ancillary equipment, and provide feedback to Biomedical Engineers on equipment breakdown.
• Monitor lab commodity consumption level, ordering of laboratory supplies, and proper inventory management of required supplies.
• Conduct routine supportive supervisory visits to supported facilities and assist in building the capacity of laboratory staff.
• Support routine collection, analysis and submission of laboratory data for monitoring of program effectiveness.
• Compile, analyze and monitor trends on the functionality and optimization of all laboratory services as well as laboratory related activities.
• Support the implementation of Laboratory Continuous Quality Improvement and the deployment and institution of appropriate corrective and preventive action respectively.
• The job holder is also responsible for the functionality of all laboratory information systems and linkage to EMR.
• Prepare progress reports of laboratory activities, lab program implementation and lab quality issues.
• Perform any other official task as may be assigned by supervisor or Management

Qualifications and Experience:

• Must be a Medical laboratory Scientist or possess a Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in Medical Laboratory Sciences or Biomedical Sciences. Professional certification of AMLSCN and a license to practice as a medical laboratory scientist is mandatory
• Must have a minimum of five (5) years’ professional experience in implementing Public Health programs preferably in the NGO context.
• Good knowledge of laboratory management  and understanding of quality management system
• Strong attention to detail and ability to learn quickly
• Ability to work alone and as part of the team
• Ability to multitask, manage time efficiently, negotiate and meet deadlines
• Highly motivated, energetic self-starter who can think and act self-sufficiently