Lab Coordinator 97 views0 applications

POSITION SUMMARY

The child health and Mortality prevention surveillance (CHAMPS) Network aims to determine and track the causes of under- five mortality and stillbirth through epidemiologic surveillance, including reporting within 24hours, clinical sampling, and use of advance laboratory testing and diagnostics across a network of international site. The Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) and the US centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are implementing CHAMPS at Makeni site in Bombali in Sierra Leone.

Reporting to the ICAP CHAMPS Team Lead in Sierra Leone, the Lab Coordinator will work on the laboratory component of CHAMPS at Makeni Site in Bombali District in Sierra Leone and will be responsible for overseeing the Makeni Site laboratory operations for CHAMPS. The Laboratory coordinator will also work closely with the Lead pathologist, CHAMPS Coordinator and other implementing partners to conduct minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS), post-mortem specimen collection, processing, storage, shipment to the US, and testing as defined in the CHAMPS Lab and Diagnostics Plan.

This position is grant-funded.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Prepare and set up the Makeni Government Hospital Mortuary for CHAMPS Specimen collection; the Makeni Government Hospital Laboratory for testing, quality assurance, study SOP implementation; and the histopathology laboratory at Connaught in Freetown
• Provide oversight for CHAMPS laboratory activities and ensure adaptation of CHAMPS network laboratory protocols and SOPs to site-specific procedures
• Provides coordinating support for the collection, processing, analysis, and storage of MITS tissue and non-tissue specimens in accordance with CHAMPS Standard procedures
• Maintain proper documentation for all CHAMPS team, verify, sign and date relevant documents. Ensure the number of tubes/sample received match with the number of participants captured in the sample-tracking sheet
• Monitor storage of specimens and conduct weekly freezer QC, Weekly data export, daily back-up, software updates and other laboratory Data Management Information System Issues
• Data Cleaning: detecting and correcting inaccurate record or discrepancies from the CHAMPS Database.
• Observing Biosafety regulations and perform routine operative Maintenance on laboratory instrumentation
• Compile CHAMPS laboratory statistics and conduct tests results data entry
• Participate in quality control and proficiency testing programs to assure quality of testing
• Coordinate shipment of sample from CHAMPS laboratory to CDC
• Help in resolving QA/QC as well as any Data testing result discrepancies and any other testing discrepancies
• Ensure laboratories adherence to laboratory health safety procedures
• Participate in project management team meetings with CHAMPS leadership
• Establish and laisse with other partners involved in the CHAMPS implementation
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A post-graduate degree in Medical Microbiology or its equivalent
• At least 2 years of experience managing a clinical or a research laboratory involved in human clinical trails
• Extensive knowledge in minimally invasive tissue sampling techniques and post-mortem specimen collection procedures and sample processing
• Extensive knowledge with at least 5years experience in design, implementation and Management of Laboratory Services
• Broad understanding of MITS technologies and other testing platforms
• Knowledge/experience of procedures and equipment/supply/stock tracking and inventory
• Experience with lab-related data management systems
• High level of proficiency in relevant computer application, particularly Excel
• Excellent interpersonal, management, and communication skills