Laboratory In Charge at St. Lukes Orthopaedics & Trauma Hospital

Job Purpose

The overall purpose of this role is to manage the delivery of efficient and quality laboratory services in the hospital in line with established protocols and the Hospital’s patient care objectives.

Key duties and responsibilities.

• Review and ensure adherence to laboratory protocols, standards and techniques for analysis of specimens in consultation with other clinical departments in order to ensure quality laboratory services in the hospital;
• Participate in the development of standards, procedures, techniques for analysis of specimens and in the medical laboratory;
• Recommend technical requirements for laboratory operations to the Director Medical Services;
• Ensure that the laboratory operations comply with all legal requirements by the Kenya Medical and Laboratory Technicians Board and waste disposal requirements;
• Prepare the department to meet the requirements for audits and follow up to ensure audit recommendations are fully implemented;
• Validate laboratory equipment as per manufacturer requirements to ensure required standard levels are met;
• Identify professional development gaps and ensure implementation of appropriate professional development interventions for the laboratory team in order to ensure the team has the right skills and exposure to best practices;
• Liaise with section heads for orders on consumables as required on a day to day basis;
• Ensure preparation of the department’s staff duty roster
• Assess the quality of reagents and consumables required for the laboratory in liaison with procurement department and participate in the tendering process specification to define the reagents and consumables schedule requirements;
• Keep abreast of local and global best practices in laboratory services and make recommendations to the Director Medical Services on how these impact the hospital;
• Prepare the laboratory services income and expenditure budget and monitor its implementation upon approval;
• Deploy and motivate the laboratory team including performance appraisal, identification of training needs, mentorship and coaching as well as leave and absence management in line with the hospital’s people agenda;
• Act as the laboratory superintendent;
• Plan and chair departmental meetings;
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly and annual reports; and
• Any other responsibilities that may be assigned to the jobholder by the supervisor from time to time.

Working relationships

• Internal Relationships: Medical Officers, Specialists, Nursing Services, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources and other user Clinical Units.
• External Relationships: Suppliers, other corporates, regulatory bodies

Knowledge, experience and qualifications required

• Degree in Science Laboratory Technology from a recognized institution.
• Must be registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technician Board and hold a valid practicing licence
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience as Laboratory Manager or In Charge.

Competencies

Technical & Behavioural competencies

• Knowledge of bacteria groups
• Ability to operate laboratory machines
• Ability to interpret results
• Ability to delegate duties and follow through on results
• Knowledge of accurate parameters
• Knowledge of quality control measures such standard deviation and interpretation of curves
• Working knowledge of laboratory information systems
• Leadership skills
• Phlebotomy skills
• Analytical skills
• Judgement skills
• Patient care skills
• Attention to detail
• Customer service skills
• Planning and organizing skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Interpersonal skills
• Team working skills
• Accountability
• Integrity