Laboratory Coordinator, Hoima Baylor

The Regional Laboratory Coordinator will work very closely with the regional referral hospitals/Regional Public Health Emergency Operation Centers (REOCs), UNHLS/CPHL, DHOs, DLFPs and health facility in-charges to strengthen laboratory systems for safe, accurate and timely detection of priority/epidemic-prone diseases pathogens, including AMR, in line with current standards, guidelines and approaches in a productive, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

Overall Responsibilities
• Strengthen specimen referral and transport systems from health facilities to testing laboratories in the region, and dispatch of test results within established Turn around Times.
• Support and monitor the implementation of laboratory quality management systems towards international accreditation through the WHO-AFRO SLMTA and SLIPTA approach.
• Set up functional laboratory CQI structures to address priority quality gaps in the quality of laboratory diagnostics, including periodic performance review meetings/feedback sessions.
• Support the development/review and dissemination of protocols to support integrated and quality-assured diagnostics in line with national/international best practices.
• Train and mentor laboratory personnel on the up-to-date microbiology/AMR diagnostic protocols, guidelines, and SOPs/tools across the human and animal health sector, including internal quality control, quality assurance and EQA.
• Support clinical environmental swabbing and testing to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and reduce healthcare-associated infections.
• Support regional laboratory teams to develop/update local antibiograms to support antimicrobial stewardship.
• Provide technical assistance to improve laboratory equipment management, information systems and logistics and public health emergency supply chain systems.
• Promote and support innovative practices to enhance the clinic-laboratory interface.
• Develop/update and monitor region/district work plans, procurement plans and budgets for optimizing diagnostic networks.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, and advocate for coordinated and harmonized laboratory systems strengthening.
• Contribute to the development of annual, quarterly, and monthly work plans and periodic reports.
• Document and share learning and best practices.

Required Qualification, Experience and Competencies:
• Minimum 5 years of relevant technical experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences or Biomedical Sciences or other relevant field from a recognized university.
• Master’s degree in public health or other relevant field is an added advantage.
• Experience in laboratory systems strengthening/coordinating public health laboratory networks
• Experience in training; mentoring; supportive supervision; laboratory techniques, and practice
• Experience in documenting best practices
• Excellent analytical, communication (oral and written), presentation, and report writing skills.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences
• Teamwork and problem-solving. Adaptive, patient, resilient, flexible, proactive and solutions-oriented
• 5 Years Relevant Experience

NOTE:
Applications should include a cover letter, CV, daytime telephone contact, three traceable professional references and certified UNEB certificates as well as certified University Transcripts
You must have at least a credit 6 in MATHEMATICS and ENGLISH at Ordinary Level (UCE). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.