Background

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), under the U.S. Department of State-funded Controlling HIV Epidemic Program (CHEP), supports the Government of Zambia in achieving and sustaining HIV epidemic control in line with national and global targets, including the 95-95-95 goals.

Description

Reports to Deputy Chief of Party. The incumbent will be responsible for TB specific diagnostic/laboratory support and will work in close collaboration with other staff under the TB department. The incumbent will oversee TB diagnostic support to the National TB programme including responsibilities in identifying staff training needs, EQA program, quality management systems, laboratory information systems and supplies management.

Main Duties:

• Supports implementation of activities in line with the National TB Strategic Plan
• Collaborate with other partners in the country to enhance synergy of resources including strengthening of inter and intra district courier
• Collaborates with the Ministry of Health and the National Tuberculosis Control Program in identification, planning and provision of laboratory technical support at all levels
• Supporting roll out of C360 and other laboratory information systems such as DISA-Lab and eLAB
• Capacity building of MoH laboratory staff through various trainings and mentorship on GeneXpert, smear microscopy, external quality assessment (EQA), DataToCare connectivity platform, DISA-Lab, and eLab.
• Supports the MoH on the implementation of GeneXpert technology and other newer technologies/ diagnostic tools including Installation, training, maintenance and proficiency monitoring
• Supports the implementation of the specimen transport system and result feedback
• Facilitating improved collaboration between the relevant laboratory focal point persons at GeneXpert sites and FOBs Scientific Limited as regards to GeneXpert technical support, preventive maintenance and repair
• Conducts assessment of primary care facilities and develop plans for TB diagnostic capacity building in Supported facilities
• Participates in development of quality management systems (QMS) for TB benches in peripheral laboratories
• Strengthens quality management systems (QMS) through technical supportive supervision and various activities.
• Works in close collaboration with the national TB reference laboratory to plan for TB diagnostic expansion, training and EQA
• Develops work plans and budgets for TB diagnostic support under the USAID TB LON program
• Works closely with the TB mentors to strengthen collaboration between the clinical and laboratory teams
• Provides technical support as required to the National TB programme
• Represents CIDRZ at relevant Technical working groups
• Participates in the revision of national TB documents such as TB manual and TB National Strategic Plan (NSP) etc.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Requirements:

• Grade 12 certificate
• Diploma in Biomedical Sciences, or recognized equivalent
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in TB programmatic laboratory services support
• Experience in TB diagnostic setting, especially primary health facility level
• Experience with any gene Xpert connectivity software.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting EQA for primary care laboratories for both microscopy and Xpert
• Demonstrated experience supporting Installation, training, maintenance and proficiency monitoring of GeneXpert MTB RIF technology
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building/training primary Health care staff on TB diagnostic tools in use in the national program
• Awareness and knowledge of WHO accreditation systems for Primary Health care facilities TB laboratories
• Works under minimum supervision

Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply. However, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• Supports implementation of activities in line with the National TB Strategic Plan
• Collaborate with other partners in the country to enhance synergy of resources including strengthening of inter and intra district courier
• Collaborates with the Ministry of Health and the National Tuberculosis Control Program in identification, planning and provision of laboratory technical support at all levels
• Supporting roll out of C360 and other laboratory information systems such as DISA-Lab and eLAB
• Capacity building of MoH laboratory staff through various trainings and mentorship on GeneXpert, smear microscopy, external quality assessment (EQA), DataToCare connectivity platform, DISA-Lab, and eLab.
• Supports the MoH on the implementation of GeneXpert technology and other newer technologies/ diagnostic tools including Installation, training, maintenance and proficiency monitoring
• Supports the implementation of the specimen transport system and result feedback
• Facilitating improved collaboration between the relevant laboratory focal point persons at GeneXpert sites and FOBs Scientific Limited as regards to GeneXpert technical support, preventive maintenance and repair
• Conducts assessment of primary care facilities and develop plans for TB diagnostic capacity building in Supported facilities
• Participates in development of quality management systems (QMS) for TB benches in peripheral laboratories
• Strengthens quality management systems (QMS) through technical supportive supervision and various activities.
• Works in close collaboration with the national TB reference laboratory to plan for TB diagnostic expansion, training and EQA
• Develops work plans and budgets for TB diagnostic support under the USAID TB LON program
• Works closely with the TB mentors to strengthen collaboration between the clinical and laboratory teams
• Provides technical support as required to the National TB programme
• Represents CIDRZ at relevant Technical working groups
• Participates in the revision of national TB documents such as TB manual and TB National Strategic Plan (NSP) etc.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor

• Experience with any gene Xpert connectivity software.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting EQA for primary care laboratories for both microscopy and Xpert
• Demonstrated experience supporting Installation, training, maintenance and proficiency monitoring of GeneXpert MTB RIF technology
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building/training primary Health care staff on TB diagnostic tools in use in the national program
• Awareness and knowledge of WHO accreditation systems for Primary Health care facilities TB laboratories
• Works under minimum supervision

• Grade 12 certificate
• Diploma in Biomedical Sciences, or recognized equivalent