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Laboratory Services Associate (Kogi)

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Laboratory Services Officer

Job Code: LB03
Location: Lokoja, Kogi

Job Purpose

• The personnel will assist the Associate Director/Head, Laboratory and Biosafety Services in designing, planning, and implementing quality laboratory services and related activities.
• They will supervise all Associates, Assistants, and short-term hires under the Unit and coordinate all day-to-day laboratory activities.
• At the state level, they are responsible for laboratory logistics, the Laboratory Information System (LIS), sample management and results, COVID-19 bi-directional testing, Rapid Testing Continuous Quality Improvement (RTCQI), Recency Surveillance, CD4 testing, Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) Diagnostic Monitoring, GeneXpert testing optimization, Infection Prevention & Control, Biosafety and Biosecurity, equipment management, and laboratory stakeholder engagement and coordination meetings.

Responsibilities

• Maintain oversight of the functionality and optimization of all clinical laboratory services and related activities across healthcare facilities and communities.
• Assist in designing, implementing, and monitoring systems to ensure efficient documentation of lab documents and records.
• Ensure sample collection, processing, management, storage, referral, and timely result return align with laboratory quality assurance and the program’s 3rd 95 target (for viral load).
• Oversee result returns for VL, EID, HPV, and HIV-DRT samples, and track turnaround times (TAT) particularly at DRL/NRL PCR laboratories.
• Ensure that DBS samples for Infant Virologic Testing (IVT) are prioritized, with result return tracking.
• Support the implementation of Laboratory Continuous Quality Improvement (QMS and TB CLICQI) and the institution of corrective and preventive actions.
• Review and monitor laboratory QA and QC activities to ensure conformance with established policies, national regulations, or accreditation requirements.
• Implement the HIV Rapid Test Continuous Quality Improvement (RTCQI) and Recency Lab programs across all supported testing sites (facilities and communities).
• Oversee the implementation of COVID-19 bidirectional testing for HIV and COVID-19 testing services.
• Review and monitor the existing Sample Referral Network system across different healthcare levels and geographical locations.
• Monitor the functionality and linkage of the Laboratory Information System (CMM, LIMS-NMRS exchange, consumable tracking).
• Collaborate with clinical and SI state teams to review laboratory/lab-related program data and ensure accurate reporting on reportable databases and internal channels/trackers.
• Coordinate and implement the Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) program, including CD4 testing (flow cytometric and LFA), TB LF-LAM testing, and CrAg testing.
• Support and monitor GeneXpert testing, including functionality tracking and testing optimization.
• Ensure effective coordination of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), including the functionality of Infection Control Committees (ICC), WHO IPCAF Assessments, and quarterly biosafety/biosecurity audits.
• Represent the Unit in all laboratory-related activities within the supported state and serve as a technical resource to the SMoH and related MDAs, as needed.
• Prepare progress reports on laboratory activities, program implementation, and lab quality issues.
• Perform any other assigned duties.

Area under Influence:

• Overall state laboratory program operation and coordination, QMS, Rapid Testing Continuous Quality Improvement (RTCQI), CD4 testing, Advance HIV Disease (AHD) Diagnostic Monitoring, GeneXpert testing optimization, Infection Prevention & Control, Biosafety and Biosecurity, monitor laboratory, equipment and ancillary equipment functionality, follow up with FTH Gombe for VL/EID results, Stakeholder engagement and management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification in Medical Laboratory Science. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• A valid certificate to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist is mandatory.
• 6 years of experience in running/implementing public health programs, preferably in the NGO context.
• Knowledge and experience in the design, implementation, and management of laboratory services in HIV/AIDS programs or other public health intervention programs.
• Experience in a laboratory setting, particularly in molecular diagnosis (viral load determination, drug resistance testing, genotyping, and nucleic acid sequencing), is an advantage.
• Familiarity with standards and federal/state regulations affecting the laboratory and laboratory practices.

Application Closing Date
20th November, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Current CV & Suitability statement not more than 200 words indicating position and location in Microsoft Word format to: projectrecruitment255@gmail.com using the Job Title, Location and Applicant Full name (e.g. “COM01 Abuja, ADESUWA NWACHUKWU”) as the subject of the mail.
Note

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Grant duration: Subject to availability of funds and exceptional grant performance.
• We believe in Equal Employment Opportunity and strongly encourage qualified Locals and women to apply.
• Applications are reviewed in the order of arrival, and we reserve the right to close the advert before the term initially indicated if suitable applications are received.
• This organization does not charge any fees for submission of job applications and interviews.