About

The Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) is implementing a 5-year US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (CDC-PEPFAR) funded Laboratory Systems Strengthening (LSS) program in Zimbabwe from 2021 to 2026. This is in support of the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) Directorate of Laboratory Services, and AIDS and TB program’s national strategic objectives. The LSS program will expand laboratory capacity and enhance access to high-quality testing towards the achievement of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals.

Roles and responsibilities

The Project Officers will be based at district and mission hospitals under the supervision of district mentors to carry out the following duties: Specimen management for supported tests including ensuring proper receiving, sorting, accessioning, registration in LIMS and proper storage prior to testing; Carry out point of care (POC) or near POC supported tests e.g VL / EID / TB tests including the relevant QA activities; Referral of specimens to the testing laboratories including ensuring maintenance of the appropriate referral documentation and sample packaging; Management of rejected samples based on a documented rejection and acceptance criteria including immediate communication of rejections with the ordering health facility; Ensuring proper monitoring of specimen transport conditions including temperature monitoring to ensure high quality samples are delivered to the laboratory through triple packaging and ensuring use of ice packs; Maintenance and monitoring of specimen transmittal records to ensure the referral network and testing process closely monitored; Monitoring Rider’s schedules to ensure all supported clinics in the catchment are being reached; Results management including appropriate maintenance of traceable records of all tests done, ensuring patient results are being dispatched and picked up by riders; Compiling and submitting periodic reports in collaboration with other laboratory personnel, including weekly, monthly, quarterly reports and other reports as needed.

Qualifications and experience

State certified or diploma in medical laboratory sciences, valid registration with the Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientists Council of Zimbabwe (MLSCZ); 2- 3 years’ experience in clinical laboratory testing, VL / EID specimen receipt and handling a must; Experience in lab QMS an added advantage.