Laboratory Technologist- Assosa

Location:  Assosa, Benishangul Gumuz

Deadline: Sep 21, 2022

Job Description

Organisation Overview

The Pharo Foundation (the ‘’Foundation”) is a privately funded entrepreneurial organisation that runs philanthropic programmes as well as a for-profit arm, Pharo Ventures. The Vision of the Foundation is an economically vibrant and inclusive Africa. The Mission is to achieve the Vision by investing in the human and physical capital of Africa, with a strong focus on job creation.

Established in 2011, The Foundation has been implementing numerous programmes in Ethiopia and Somaliland and is in the process of expanding into Rwanda and Kenya. The strategic pillars of the Foundation are education, health, water, and agriculture. One such example is the ongoing implementation of a large scale water project in Somaliland with the aim of bringing water to 6,000 households and their livestock. In 2020, the Foundation also established Pharo Ventures, its wholly owned social enterprise arm, with the objectives of economic value and job creation in East Africa.

The Foundation has a programme office in Assosa, the regional capital of Ethiopia’s Benishangul Gumuz Regional State (BGRS), with plans to expand operations in the country. Since its establishment in 2016, the Foundation’s programme office has been working on an integrated livelihood development programme that covers agriculture, water, health, and education. The Foundation opened the best class diagnostic centre in Assosa, BGRS, to complement curative health services and to become a reliable partner to the region’s and beyond the existing health systems. The Pharo Diagnostic Centre is intended to aid in the improvement of BGRS’ health infrastructure by providing advanced high quality medical laboratory services to customers, later adding imaging investigations and further laboratory testing.

Headquartered in London, the Foundation has an operational head office in Nairobi, Kenya with country offices in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa and Assosa), Somaliland (Hargeisa), and Rwanda (Kigali) with further expansion plans in Africa.

Position Summary   

The laboratory technologist will be responsible for good sample management, sample analysis, calibration, quality control testing, and result reporting based on the standard operating procedures. The ideal candidate will be tasked with recording and reporting all activities done, and proper stock management of items need for Pharo Diagnostic Centre in BGRS. The Foundation is interested in hiring a competent and dedicated individual who is passionate about our work and finds fulfilment in making a real impact.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Analysis/Testing Related 

  • Undertake good sample management including, the collection, accessioning, processing and storing of specimens.
  • Process specimens for referral testing following the established Standard Operation Procedure (SOP).
  • Read the standard operating procedures fully before performing any tasks and adhere to them.  Ensure that SOPs are complete and updated.
  • Ensure that specimens received for testing have fulfilled acceptance criteria following established procedures.
  • Maintain an adequate supply of all reagents and consumables.
  • Note the date when reagents/supplies are received and opened in the “Reagent/Supplies Log Sheets”.
  • Calibrate instruments and perform all routine and periodic preventative/corrective maintenance.
  • Perform function checks and repairs on instruments and equipment following established procedures. Document all maintenance performed on “Instrument Log Sheets”.
  • Perform instrumentation troubleshooting to correct problems; refer problems appropriately to the line manager/quality officer.
  • Analyse technical problems about specimen adequacy, laboratory data, and instrumentation; determine the cause and rectifies problems under guidelines and procedures.
  • Perform different laboratory tests as per the SOPs.

Quality Control and Compliance 

  • Document quality occurrences in line with the quality plan of the PDC department; advise the Quality Officer of significant quality issues.
  • Perform, evaluate, and document quality control data and ensure that patient results are not reported when tolerance limits are exceeded;
  • Review laboratory results according to standard operating procedures; report critical alarming values or unusual results under the established policy.
  • Participate in the preparation for all inspections by accrediting agencies.
  • Uphold the PDC quality and safety policies at all times.

Administration 

  • Prepare work-related documents and records about the assigned department.
  • Participate in in-service education programs while providing inputs to the training of new employees and other employees.
  • Ensure the confidentiality of all patient information throughout all phases of laboratory testing.
  • Respond to customer inquiries about laboratory test results as needed.
  • Adhere to the customer service standards of the PDC.
  • Generate data and provide day-to-day documentation.
  • Generate the performance reports relating to the department assigned to.
  • Adhere to the safety standards and policies of the PDC.  
  • Perform other work-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.  

Required Number: 1

Contract Type: Permanent

Reporting to:  Director of Pharo Diagnostic Centre

Functional Relationships: Quality and Regulatory Compliance Officer, Support Service Coordinator.

Job Requirements

Qualification Requirements

  • BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology.
  • Two years and above of relevant work experience in clinical/medical laboratories.
  • Experience working at reputable private laboratories is preferred.
  • Updated Certification/professional registration by the Ministry of Health or other equivalent certification bodies.
  • Who can submit a recent clearance from his/her previous employer.
  • Competent in relevant computer skills (MS Office Suite, emails and databases).
  • Having Quality Management Systems and other relevant laboratory test-related training is a plus.

Personal Attributes 

  • Great attention to detail and a flexible approach to work.
  • High level of commitment and self-motivation
  • High professional and ethical standards.
  • Positive outlook and outgoing personality with solid interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
  • Structured and process-oriented.
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
  • Motivated to learn and perform and not afraid to ask questions.
  • Willing to challenge the status quo and add value by introducing positive change.
  • Excellent communicator and comfortable working in a team environment.
  • Demonstrate the ability of strong communication skills in English verbally and in writing.

How to Apply

Review of complete applications will be on a rolling basis. In the event that we identify an outstanding candidate early in the search process, we reserve the right to appoint before the deadline. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply at the earliest possible time. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates.

Please send the information listed below, as a single PDF file, to the following email address: recruiting.et@pharofoundation.org. Please indicate “Laboratory Technologist- Assosa” in the email subject line.

  • A detailed CV and Covering Letter. In your cover letter, please state where you heard about this position or saw it advertised e.g. through our website, jobs board, etc.
  • An essay of no more than 500 words outlining:
    • What experience have you gained that makes you the most qualified candidate for the role?
  • A one-page list of five references with current addresses, phone numbers, and email contacts.

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