Laboratory Technologist Wanted at Ministry of Health

BACKGROUND
The Kingdom of Lesotho is among four countries participating in the Southern Africa Tuberculosis and Health Systems Support Project funded by the World Bank. This is a five year project with overall objectives to: (i) improve coverage and quality of TB control and occupational lung disease services in targeted geographic areas of the participating countries; and (ii) strengthen regional capacity to manage the burden of TB and occupational diseases.

Lesotho is one of the 30 high TB burden countries in the world with an estimated annual incidence of 788 TB cases per every 100,000 population. Seventy four percent of TB cases are co-infected with HIV. TB treatment success rate has not gone beyond 74%, TB case fatality ratio is high and only a small proportion of TB re-treatment cases are offered testing for drug resistant TB bacilli. The mortality rate in TB/HIV co-infected TB patients is 223 per 100,000 population. Additionally, MDR-TB is on the rise with 3.2% and 6.8% of new and retreatment respectively TB cases are estimated to have MDR-TB. Despite Lesotho’s high burden of TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB cases, the TB case detection rate is 49% which means more than half TB are not diagnosed and treated.

The Ministry of Health National Tuberculosis Control Program wishes to contract qualified and experienced candidates for the mentioned positions:

Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Senior Laboratory Technologist/Principal Laboratory Technologist, the Laboratory Technologist is responsible for implementation of safety precautions and quality assurance, sample reception, sample analysis, reporting of results, compilation and maintenance of laboratory records and preventative maintenance of equipment.

Scope of Work
i). Undertake visits to district laboratories and promote quality assurance.
ii). Assist and train staff to perform specialized tests in microbiology and/specialized TB diagnosis
iii). Specimen collection, analysis, interpretation, reporting and dispatch of results.
iv). Reagents preparation and storage.
v). Development and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
vi). Carry out quality control/quality assurance programme.
vii). Commodity management to ensure no stock outs in the laboratory
viii). Conduct outreach laboratory services.
ix). Participate in continuous professional development.
x). Compile reports on activities undertaken
Implementation of quality and safety procedures

• Adhere to organizational and departmental specific safety standards and guidelines
  • Daily prepares disinfectants according to the SOPs
  • Daily cleans, disinfects working environment and fill the logs
  • Daily checks and monitors environmental temperatures (room, fridge, freezer)
  • Discard completed TB samples according to the guidelines
  • Monthly monitor quality indicators

Analysis of TB samples

• Daily conduct equipment maintenance and document
• Yearly calibrate machines, run internal controls as per quality guidelines and
  document
• Review control results and initiate corrective action where applicable
• Daily analyse TB samples as per protocol /SOPs
• Check for errors and repeat the test
• Refer critical results to SLT/PLT or Clinicians immediately
• Store or archive TB samples as per procedure.

Reporting of results

• Daily submits results to Senior Laboratory Technologist/Principal Laboratory
  Technologist for verification
• Daily record verified findings and results into the laboratory information system
  (LIS) or TB laboratory log book.

Record keeping

• Daily files records
• Daily dispatches patients/ client results
• Monthly compiles bench statistics in the section and submits to the senior
  Laboratory Technologist/Principal Laboratory Technologist
• Monthly conducts stock count

Duration of Assignment

• Initial two year contract subject to review after two years with possibility of extension dependent on performance

Qualifications

• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences from an institution recognized by the Lesotho Ministry of Health
• Be registered to practice by Medical and Dental council of Lesotho or any other recognized regulatory bodies

Required Competencies
In addition to the above, the successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Hands on capability to conduct laboratory techniques
• Strong quantitative skills and demonstrated capacity to perform outstanding original work.
• Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written, in English.
• Proficient in computer applications and database management
• Problem solving

Compensation:
A competitive salary will be offered as per Kingdom of Lesotho norms for public officers and World Bank guidelines

Interested and suitability qualified candidates should forward their applications personally or electronically indicating the advertisement and position on the subject line of letter and envelope together with detailed curriculum vitae indicating work experience, current remuneration and copies of testimonials (day time telephone contacts, names and telephone contacts of 3 referees to reach the undersigned not later than April 7, 2017) to:

Procurement Manager
Procurement Unit
Ground Floor, Room G03
Ministry of Health
Corner Constitution & Linare Roads
Kingdom of Lesotho

Further information can be obtained from the following during office hours [08h00 to 16h30 local time]:
boopanentai@gmail.com, rangoananam@yahoo.co.uk and qlejota@gmail.com

Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted.