LABORATORY LEAD At Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity

POSITION TITLE: LABORATORY LEAD

LOCATION: MACHAKOS/MAKUENI/KITUI

REPORTS TO: PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Background

The Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB)-Kenya is a local non-governmental organization collaborating with the Ministry of Health and County Health Management Teams to strengthen health systems for improved quality of health care in Kenya. CIHEB-Kenya is collaborating with the county governments of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Nairobi, Kisumu and Migori to support the implementation and expansion of high quality, sustainable and comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment programs and expansion of COVID-19 vaccination with funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Job Summary

The Laboratory Specialist will implement and monitor laboratory systems strengthening initiatives according to international standards, donor and Ministry of health requirements. S/he will implement a laboratory capacity building and networking strategy and support laboratory training, mentorship, technical assistance, and quality assurance activities to build the capacity of facility staff, government counterparts and local partners in supported laboratory facilities. S/he will take lead in the lab-clinical interface to improve patient monitoring and use of laboratory results for clinical decision making.

Roles and responsibilities

• Prepare and oversee implementation of laboratory work plan in consultation with sub county and county medical laboratory coordinators (s/CMLC)
• In liaison with county and subcounty medical laboratory technologists, support and strengthen an effective specimen transportation system for CD4+, GeneXpert, Viral load, Recency DNA PCR, HIV genotyping, hematological and biochemistry testing.
• Provide technical assistance/guidance on laboratory testing processes, infection prevention and control, and quality of HIV testing and HIV/TB care and treatment
• Development, implement and review laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be applied in HIV testing and treatment services
• Coordinate performance and documentation of daily internal quality control and participation in external quality assessment in supported facilities
• Design and lead project CQI initiatives and technical assistance to increase utilization and delivery of high-quality lab services
• Ensure provision of consistent and structured technical assistance to facilities for enhanced service delivery and strengthened quality management services and support identified facilities towards upgrading and accreditation
• Support M&E planning to answer key lab questions including assisting in the development and tracking of indicators
• Participate in and provide technical assistance to national and regional lab Technical Working Groups (TWG), task teams, workshops, and campaigns
• Liaise with relevant national ministry of health departments/divisions in availing and ensuring effective dissemination and uptake of relevant laboratory policies, service delivery guidelines and standards as appropriate.
• Support strengthening of laboratory infrastructure, equipment, logistics, and procurement systems for sustainable and quality services.
• Coordinate participation of designated facilities in relevant EQA proficiency testing programs and dissemination of results as well as implementation of corrective action and preventive action measures.
• Support implementation of a quality improvement and data demand and information use framework aimed at improving county level capacity in reporting and utilization of data for enhanced service coverage.
• Provide mentorship/ coaching on improving functionality of manual and electronic laboratory management information systems to enhance linkage of laboratory data to patient care data systems.
• Facilitate adoption and uptake by facilities of best practices in biosafety/biosecurity, infection prevention control, occupational health and safety, and healthcare waste management.
• Support strengthening of Laboratory Quality Management Systems (QMS) ensuring QA/QC/EQC systems are functional.

Required Qualification

• Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences.
• A Master degree will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in implementing Lab programs, with at least 5 years’ experience in implementation of HIV related medical laboratory activities in a donor funded project.
• Registered with KMLTTB
• Experience in supporting laboratory activities in a donor funded project
• Working knowledge of USG funded programs and reporting requirements
• Documented evidence of HIV/AIDS laboratory training as part on continuing professional development
• Dedicated team player with excellent interpersonal, communication, report writing and analytical
• Ability to exhibit professionalism and high ethical standards
• High level of integrity and able to maintain confidentiality.