In order to successfully implement the project in the Karamoja sub-region, IDI is looking for a competent and experienced individual to fill the position of Laboratory Specialist.
The laboratory specialist will work closely with development partners, MoH, district, and facility teams in strengthening activities of the USAID LPHS TB Activity in Kotido and Moroto.S/he will jointly work with the district/division health leadership to provide technical support for laboratory services at supported health facilities in close collaboration with the MOH laboratory structures to ensure delivery of quality TB lab services.
With support from the US Government (USAID), IDI is implementing a 5-year (2021–2026) Project- the USAID Local Partner Health Services-TB (LPHS-TB) Activity. The project aims at substantially contributing to the reduction of Uganda’s TB burden by 2026 through scaling up evidence-based and high-impact interventions towards the achievement of 90% treatment coverage and success rate for all forms of TB (including the drug-resistant TB) in Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso districts. Effective October 2024, the direct district-level scope of USAID LPHS-TB Activity was modified to include all the nine districts of Karamoja sub-region in North-Eastern Uganda i.e. Abim, Amudat, Kaabong, Karenga, Kotido, Moroto, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit and Napak. The USAID LPHS-TB Activity builds on the successes of the USAID PACT Karamoja project and successes registered in the last three years of Activity implementation to address the remaining gaps in TB/HIV prevention, identification, and treatment.
Key Responsibilities
• Design and implement strategies to ensure that project supported sites attain minimum MoH requirements following SLMTA program (at hubs) and establish a framework for facility specific LQMS at non-SLMTA labs.
• Conduct detailed audit of project supported sites, prepare action oriented workplans and develop innovative strategies to address the identified gaps to ensure delivery of quality lab services.
• Guide facility teams to regularly report on lab activities through routine submission of high quality HMIS reports and activity reports in line with standard Ministry of Health, donor and project timelines.
• Plan, coordinate and conduct didactic trainings, mentorships for district and facility teams to address TB lab related capacity gaps and build skills for delivery of quality lab services.
• Conduct site mentorship and joint support supervision visits to SLMTA and non-SLMTA labs and facilities to ensure effective implementation of LQMS in liaison with national and district technical teams
• Guide and supervise lab infrastructure refurbishment and management efforts in all project supported sites.
• Supervise project supported hub-riders as may be required.
• Design and functionalise systems to support district and facility teams to accurately quantify, forecast, order and manage laboratory supplies and commodities to ensure constant availability.
• Organize and schedule hub coordination review meetings and ensure smooth hub operations and effective utilization of TB and HIV -related lab services, including but not limited to GeneXpert, LAMP, TrueNAT, VL, CRAG, DNA PCR.
• Work closely with the clinical team to support sputum monitoring among TB patients on treatment and GeneXpert testing coverage of at least 95% coverage, results return within agreed upon TAT, functionality of LabXpert in supported sites and ensure specimen rejection rates of less than 5%.
• Strengthen QA efforts both at the labs and POC and ensure that lab supervises POC testers to participate in internal and external quality control schemes in line with national guidelines.
• Establish and strengthen lab biosafety practices, good equipment management practices including calibration, monitor commercial service contracts for lab equipment, regional and central equipment maintenance workshops and ensure that there is uninterrupted service delivery as a result of equipment malfunction.
• Support sample courier services to ensure uninterrupted specimen transport network for health care (TB tests, HIV, CD4, VL, and CRAG).
• Any other duties as may reasonably be assigned.
Academic Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology.
• Active registration with the Allied Medical Practitioner’s Council.
• Training in laboratory quality management systems and biosafety.
Person Specification
• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology.
• Active registration with the Allied Medical Practitioner’s Council.
• Training in laboratory quality management systems and biosafety.
• At least 2 years’ experience in laboratory management.
• Up-to-date knowledge of National HIV/AIDS and TB management protocols.
• Good communication, organization and management skills.
• Understands client confidentiality and exhibits high level of ethical conduct.
• Computer skills as well as good presentation and report writing skills.
• Good interpersonal and team management skills.
• Good understanding of public health systems and local government policies.
Job Experience: No Requirements
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months:
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
