Medical Laboratory Officer at Kisii County Government

Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend the full survey training to understand the purpose and intent of the survey, as well as the plan for implementation
• Verifying collected samples from household as well as check preanalytical sample integrity/quality
• Sample processing into Dried Blood Spots (DBS) and plasma aliquoting to vials, triple packaging and shipment to Central testing Laboratory according to the KENPHIA II Laboratory Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs)
• Testing survey respondent samples flagged for HIV DNA PCR (EID) using GeneXpert and returning results for linkage to prevention, care and treatment as per KENPHIA II Linkage to Care (LTC) SOPs
• CD4 testing using PIMA CD4 Machine at the Satellite laboratory as described in KENPHIA II Protocol and applicable Laboratory SOPs
• Provide technical support to field medical laboratory technologists for challenges on barcodes, phlebotomy good practices, necessary documentation, packaging and transportation to ensure specimen integrity at the satellite laboratory
• Perform Quality Assurance measures in line with KENPHIA II SOP provision through the following activities:
  • Kit Lot verification to establish fitness for purpose and testing
  • Testing of Quality Control Samples/QC Materials (both Negative and Positive controls)
  • Perform daily instrument maintenance to ensure equipment functionality and result accuracy
  • Monitor daily environmental controls necessary for testing and storage of reagents including sample storage in fridges and freezers
  • Provide on job trainings for new staff who have been brought in to support testing at Satellite level based KENPHIA II training SOPs
  • HIV and Syphilis Quality Assurance re-testing

Requirements for Appointment

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science or Higher Diploma in Medical Virology from a recognized institution
• Must be registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technologist and Technician Board (KMLTTB) and have a valid Practicing License and experience attachment in an ISO 15189 Accredited Laboratory
• Knowledge working with a laboratory information system (LIS) is critical for this assignment
• Knowledge and experience of Quality Management System essentials is critical in this assignment
• Proficiency in use of Point of Care (POC) systems is an advantage
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the location of fieldwork
• 2 years’ experience in a busy medical laboratory Experience of two years on HIV Laboratory work; CD4, DNA PCR (EID) and HIV-1 Viral load testing/or Work involving specimen referring system
• Experience working in an Accredited Laboratory; Attachments, mentorship or internship will be considered
• Experiences in previous similar surveys will be an added advantage