Laboratory Quality Coordinator

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National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program

LABORATORY QUALITY COORDINATOR

Terms of reference

Introduction

Malawi is among high TB/HIV burden country with annual TB co-infection rate of
more than 46% over the past several years with HIV remains the most important
risk factor for developing active TB disease. Malawi has made significant an
improvement in term of TB expansion of TB care and prevention services across
the country. The Global fund support through NFM I and NFMII grants take a
lion share in the expansion of TB diagnostic services and building the
capacity of HCWs. Currently the three are 392 health frailties providing
microscopy services, and more than 81 GeneXpert sites and 3 culture and DST
laboratories in the country.

In Malawi GeneXpert is the primary diagnostic test for all key and vulnerable
populations (KVP), which account for nearly half of all presumptive TB
patients nationally. All pulmonary TB cases are also eligible for full culture
and first line DST. Full culture and DST are done at National and Regional
reference laboratories. The country has been experiencing a low DR-TB
notification compared to the estimated cases over the past several years. The
low DR-TB detection is mainly due to low coverage in Drug Sensitivity Testing
(DST)which is at 31% among all notified TB cases. Limited diagnostic coverage
for GeneXpert, sub-optimal sample transportation system and low index of
suspicion by Health Care Workers (HCWs) to identify presumptive DR-TB patients
are some of the factors that contributed to the lower DR-TB detection. The
national TB control and leprosy control program would like to improve the
capacity at National and Regional culture laboratories through capacity
building and technical support. As part of capacity building, the program
would like to strengthen the human resource capacity at NTRL by hiring
fulltime highly qualified laboratory Quality Coordinator at NTRL on contract
basis.

The following are duties and responsibilities for the post

Major Duties and Responsibilities

As the person in charge of ensuring results of the highest quality, the lab
Quality Coordinator creates systems to monitor data quality and performance.
He/she is expected to confirm that procedures adhere to safety and compliance
rules and regulations. The quality Coordinator is responsible to conduct
testing in timely manner, personally reviewing any abnormal results to find
out the root cause of the irregularity and troubleshoot.

Under direct supervision of NTRL Manager, the Lab Quality Coordinator will
discharge the following duties and responsibilities

1\. Provide support to NTRL to improve the quality of smear microscopy,
improve external quality assessment (EQA) for smear microscopy and GeneXpert,
including implementation of EQA guidelines, analysis of the results of EQA,
and strengthening the feedback mechanism to microscopy laboratories, review
results of panel testing and rechecking, provide suggestions for corrective
action

2\. Develop/strengthen innovative protocols/SOPs for sputum transportation
from the health facilities using triple packaging protocol to ensure viability
of samples, timely testing in labs and prompt notification of results.3. Work
with NTRL team and NTP PSM team in TB laboratory supply chain and inventory
management system.

4\. Support two regional culture laboratories and district laboratories
through supportive supervision and on-site mentorship\/coaching of laboratory
staff.

5\. Support NTRL in the implementation of LQMS in selected district hospitals

6\. Review quality control records for the laboratory and ensure that
corrective actions are taken when necessary

7\. Ensure that TB laboratory related records, data and documents are being
timely reviewed, updated and properly kept

8\. Perform other duties as specified by the NTRL and NTP Manager

9\. Support NTRL, two regional TB culture and district laboratories in proper
routine and scheduled equipment maintenances, calibration, and verification.

10\. Coordinating all laboratory LQMS activities with relevant stakeholders
and referral laboratories in monitoring their performance under the
jurisdiction of NTRL Manager

11\. Capacity building within NTRL- the coordinator is expected to build the
capacity of laboratory staff at NTRL and sub-national level through on the job
training, continuous mentoring /coaching NTRL team on their day-to- day tasks.
He /She expected to prepare a capacity development plan within NTRL team with
the goal of building effective communication, productivity, coordination,
planning and analytical skill and the development plan to be implemented
during each contract period

Working place

National TB reference laboratory, CHSU

Employment condition

Full time

Contractual basis

The post is open only for Malawian Nationality

Duration of contact

Initially for one year with possibility of extension annually based on merit
and availability of funds

Accountability

TB lab Quality coordinator is directly accountable to National TB Reference
laboratory and NTP.

The NTRL will supervise the performance of the coordinator and provide written
report and recommendation for renewal or termination of the contract.

MOHP human resource management policy and regulations will apply to guide the
day to day services of the coordinator.

Qualification

BSc Degree in Laboratory Technology and Master\u2019s degree in medical
laboratory sciences or equivalent from recognized university/Colleagues

Knowledge/experiences

Minimum Seven years qualification experience including experience in TB
laboratory system support at National or subnational, or international NGO.

Sound knowledge of basic principles, techniques and safety procedures and
Quality management in the laboratory system.

Knowledge in Laboratory Quality Control Assurance, and strong experience of
instituting good laboratory practices.

Hands-on experience in new TB diagnostic Technologies such as Florescent
Microscope (FM.), GeneXpert, Culture and DST

Experience in provision of trainings related to TB laboratory, demonstrated
experience in mentoring, coaching, and enabling laboratory staffs in health
facilities.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Local language

Competencies and Skills

Strong interpersonal communication to run a laboratory accurately and
efficiently is a must.

organizational skills

Acts as a team player

Sound analytical skill

Ability to read and write policies or SOPs regarding safety and quality
assurance for use in the lab.

Ability to read and analyses reports from laboratory equipment to ensure
everything is operating in an efficient manner.

Submission of Application

Applicants should send their applications including a detailed Curriculum
Vitae, copies of certificates plus names of three traceable referees.
Inclusion of Telephone Numbers and email addresses will be desirable for ease
of communication.

Completed applications must be clearly bear the title of the vacancy he/she is
applying for and be submitted to

The Secretary for Health

P.O Box 30377

LILONGWE 3.

(Attention The Director for Human Resource Management and Development) Not
later than 12th February, 2021.

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