THPS is an indigenous NGO established under nongovernmental organization act No 24 of 2002 as part of partnership framework implementation plan between the USG and the Government of Tanzania which calls for an uninterrupted transition of PEPFAR funded HIV and AIDS programs into local entities. THPS works in partnership with the Ministries of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children and Regional Administration and local government (PMORALG) with a goal of ensuring accessible high quality health care services to Tanzania's through establishment and strengthening of comprehensive family focused HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment services in Pwani region, Kigoma region and Zanzibar. This is a continuation of the PEPFAR funded broader US Government HIV/AIDS initiatives through Centre for Disease Control Tanzania (CDC) in Tanzania.
As CDC prime awardee; THPS is currently seeking committed and motivated Tanzanians to fill in the following position.
POSITION TITLE: Medical Laboratory Mentor
REPORTING TO: Laboratory Technical Advisor
LOCATION: Kigoma Region with frequent field travel up to 75%
OVERALL JOB FUNCTION:
To provide regional leadership and technical support to ensure THPS supported health laboratories operate in accordance to Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) standards, guidelines and protocols. To maintain continuous functionality of health laboratories to support clinical services for HIV care and treatment and other health problems. Specifically she/ he will focus on laboratory quality improvement using national and international laboratory standards and support all laboratory and non laboratory testing to the highest quality possible. The Medical Laboratory Mentor will workin close collaboration with the Senior Laboratory Technical Advisor and THPS regional team to ensure the goals and objectives of THPS are achieved.
This position requires a person, who is capable of working independently, fully understands and is committed to implementing quality standards required of an ISO15189 accredited Laboratory.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• To provide technical assistance to facility-level lab personnel, including regular and systematic observation of testing procedures and ongoing site level supportive supervision and mentorship.
• To build capacity of Regional and District laboratory technologists(RTL and DTL) in providing ongoing mentorship and supportive supervision to laboratory and non laboratory health providers in Kigoma health facilities
• Build capacity of laboratory health providers in appropriate lab logistics management to ensure uninterrupted lab services across all THPS supported health facilities
• Support laboratory staff to follow written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for every aspect of pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic phases of the testing process in a laboratory.
• Support Ministry of Health laboratories accreditation programs through Stepwise Laboratory Improvement toward Accreditation in the region and facilitate those laboratories selected for accreditation program National and THPS Targets.
• Ensure compliance to quality assurance standards based on national, ISO and other International standard requirements to all laboratories in Kigoma.
• Support laboratory staff in Kigoma region to implement laboratory quality management system as per national laboratory policy.
• To provide ongoing mentorship to laboratory staff and health care providers on performing quality laboratory services and interpretation of laboratory parameters"
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of proficiency testing for EQA from laboratory and non laboratory sites.
• Conduct mentorship and supportive supervision to those laboratories under accreditation process.
• Conduct training programs/continue medical education as appropriate to address gaps identified during supportive supervision.
• Provide technical assistance to facility level lab managers, Quality Officers and other lab staff including: establishing routine workflows; developing/refining SOPs, job aides, log books, and referral forms as needed; planning of lab activities to improve tests performance and decrease turnaround time; and developing and implementing an equipment maintenance program.
• To provide technical assistance on the roll out of the accreditation ISO 15189 for the zone laboratories and for regional and district laboratories with the WHO guidelines.
• To help implement and monitor efficient documentation of laboratory results at the sites, as well as effective linkage between laboratories and clinical services.
• Work closely to THPS regional team, regional, council and hospital management teams (RHMT, CHMTs, and HMTs) and other laboratory stakeholders to improve laboratory performance.
• Perform any other activities as may be required by his/her supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE &SKILLS REQUIRED:
• Holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science, or Molecular Biology and Biotechnology or its equivalent
• Knowledge and skills in general clinical chemistry, haematology, flow cytometry and serology laboratory procedures
• Knowledge and practical experience of use of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Laboratory Quality Standards (ISO15189 accredited Laboratory) implementation
• At least three years experience in laboratory related tests and techniques
• Ability to work under minimum supervision
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Kiswahili
• Basic computer skills with minimum of Microsoft word, power point and excel
How to apply:
Interested applicants should apply through THPS website(www.thps.or.tz) using vacancy link located under career opportunities,attaching their application cover letter one page maximum and CV four pages maximum by March10th 2017with a subject line for example: Medical Laboratory MentorKigomaregion. Only short listed applicants will be contacted. Please do not attach any certificates when submitting online.
TANZANIA HEALTH PROMOTIONS SUPPORT
Plot 254,3rd floor, Coco Plaza Building ,
Toure Drive, Masaki,
P.O Box 32605,
Dar es Salaam Tanzania,
Dar es Salaam - East Africa
East Africa
Tel +255-22-2923107/+255 689 103 046 Fax+255 22 2923108.
THPS is an equal opportunity employer; women and people living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to apply.