Laboratory Quality Officer at PCEA Chogoria Hospital

Position Summary

To ensure that Quality management System is kept up to date, that it remains suitable and it is regularly evaluated and monitored. To ensure all PCEA Chogoria Hospital laboratory activities are in compliance with its own Quality Management System, ISO 15189 standard and regulations from accrediting bodies.

Duties & Responsibilities

• To ensure that all processes of the Quality Management
• System are established implemented & maintained
• To promote awareness of users’ needs and requirements throughout PCEA Chogoria Hospital Laboratory
• To coordinate annual reviews of all documents of the Quality Management System to ensure continued suitability.
• To guide and coordinate document control processes for PCEA Chogoria Hospital Laboratory.  Provide direction on proper identification filling, retrieval and archiving of documents in accordance with records control procedure.
• To head, coordinate the development and maintenance of the laboratories ‘quality plan.  Regularly review, and ensure compliance with quality management systems.
• Collaborates with the Laboratory manager in corresponding with accrediting bodies.
• To ensure that accreditation standards are upheld in the laboratory
• To inform accrediting body of major changes in the laboratory that might affect accreditation status.
• To ensure that patient results are released only by authorized competent personnel.
• To plan and coordinate scheduled internal audits of all the laboratory processes.
• To coordinate staff training on Quality Management System.
• To assist heads of units in evaluating control data to determine trends and carry out corrective actions on the undesirable ones.
• To report audit results and trends to other members of the laboratory management team.
• To assist in development of corrective actions plan to address any non-conformances identified through internal audits, customer complaints or accidents or incidents investigation.
• Corroborating and advising heads of units, the laboratory manager and the head of the laboratory to plan the validation process for the new procedures for new procedures and equipment.
• To participate in undertaking performance appraisal reviews for staff.
• To provide advice on the evaluation and selection of suppliers of reagents and consumables.
• To provide advice on the evaluation and selection of suppliers of referral/back-up laboratories.
• To provide advice to users of the laboratory on: choices of tests; sample requirements; use of request form; sample transportation; interpretation of results and use of the laboratory information system.
• To undertake any other duty as may be required of nominated representative for the accrediting body.
• To undertake any other duty as may be assigned by the Chief Medical Officer, or the designee.

Academic and Professional Qualifications for the Position

• Degree or advanced Diploma in Medical Laboratory from an institution recognized by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board.
• Must be registration with the KMLTTB and have a valid practicing license
• Over 3 years in a similar position will be an added advantage
• Training on ISO 15189 internal auditing
• Computer Literacy (Microsoft Office Packages)
• Previous experience in quality assurance will be an added advantage

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated managerial ability
• In-depth knowledge of accreditation requirements
• Previous experience in quality assurance will be an added advantage
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated competency to interact with people at all levels of the organization.
• Superior interpersonal skills and team work 
• High degree of professionalism and ethics
• Must demonstrate high levels of integrity