Laboratory Scientist – TB Reference Laboratories: ZIMBABWE 2ND ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DRUG RESISTANCE SURVEY X 4 Posts

The Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe (MoHCC), through the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP), in collaboration with Africa University (AU) under a grant sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement (TIFA) project managed by John Snow Inc. (JSI), is implementing Zimbabwe’s second anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Survey (DRS-2). The last drug resistance survey (DRS) was conducted over seven years ago in 2016, and a lack of more recent DR-TB estimates is hampering the planning and accurate monitoring of performance in the DR-TB program. Therefore, there is need for a another DRS to provide accurate estimates of the DR-TB burden to enable the program to accurately monitor its performance. The DRS will result in an increase in the number of specimens going to the national TB reference laboratories. Given that the survey’s duration is at least a year, there is need to match the anticipated workload with optimum human resource capacity. In this regard, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (Ministry of Health and Child Care) seeks the services of a suitable person to fill in the position of a Laboratory Scientist who will process TB specimens at reference laboratories for the DRS-2 Project.

Desired Attributes:

• Honors Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences, Diploma in Medical laboratory Sciences or equivalent.
• Current registration and valid practicing certificate with the Medical Laboratory & Clinical Scientists Council of Zimbabwe (MLCSCZ).
• Training and experience in drug resistant TB diagnosis is an added advantage. 
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems.
• Good communication skills
• Experience in operating electrical and non-electrical laboratory equipment and potentially infectious substances.
• In depth knowledge of Laboratory Quality Control procedures, preventative measures and laboratory best practices.
• Working knowledge of MS Office (especially Excel) and database systems.
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Handle sputum samples received at NMRL-TB/NTBRL
• Design and execute laboratory testing (TB culture, drug susceptibility testing and Xpert MTB/XDR testing) according to SOPs.
• Maintain records of all quality activities as documented in SOPs and test methods.
• Record all data and results in specified forms (paper and electronic) accurately.
• Authorize and release results for a particular department and document any amendments needed. 
• Compile direct reports on daily records of preventative maintenance done in the department, including monitoring of equipment performance, daily records on sample test/assay results as well as documentation of all NCs.
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment.
• Report deficiencies or malfunctions and assist in ordering laboratory supplies.
• Implement quality management systems (QMS) and safety, as defined in the quality and safety manuals.  
• Store all TB isolates in a manner that ensures easy retrieval.

How to Apply: Interested candidates must submit an application letter, certified copies of certificates, transcripts, national identification (ID & birth certificate) and a detailed curriculum vitae giving full personal particulars including full name, place and date of birth, qualifications, date of availability, contact details, names and addresses of three referees. The application pack should be sent as a single pdf file to e-mail address careers@africau.edu, clearly stating   Laboratory Scientist - TB Reference Laboratories: ZIMBABWE DRS-2 in the subject line of the email by no later than 1400 hours on Friday, 19 August 2024. Applicants should clearly indicate the post being applied for on the application letter, and only shortlisted candidates will be communicated to.