Laboratory Assistant

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damatru of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview/Summary

This project employs a health system support and strengthening approaches to provide a high-quality primary health care service.

The Laboratory Assistant will be responsible for improvement of access to quality of basic laboratory investigation through enhancement of laboratory capacity, appropriate sample handling and transportation. She/he will work closely with PHCs laboratory and ensure implementation of program activities according to proposal objectives and nationally accepted standards.

The Laboratory Assistant reports to the Senior Health Officer (Medical Doctor).

Responsibilities

Program Implementation, Technical Quality, and Strategy

- Collect, receive, evaluate and process various biological specimen for analysis. - Perform laboratory tests accurately and in a timely manner to produce reliable test results. - Review and verify test results, confirm panic values and abnormal results before release to clinicians. - Maintain and keep updated records of all laboratory samples and results transported, collected, investigations and procedures performed, and results generated and delivered. - Correctly operate equipment/instruments, perform routine function checks, troubleshoot if unacceptable and document corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from established specifications. - Maintain a safe and tidy work area and follow safety procedures. - Adhere to the laboratory’s quality control policies and document procedural calibrations and maintenance activities. - Participate in External Quality Assessment schemes and ensure proficiency test panels are handled in the same manner as routine (patient) samples. - Order supplies, update stock cards and maintain an inventory of all equipment and reagents. - Promptly report and document all laboratory-related accidents (injuries and exposures) and unsafe conditions to the immediate supervisor. - Participate in laboratory departmental meetings, trainings, supervisions, orientations and audits as may be required. - Ensure orderliness of IPC in the health facility setting and support training of HWs and referral paramedics on infection prevention and control (IPC) for quality-of-care. - Support health facilities with information, education and communication (IEC) materials (billboards, posters, roll-up banners, wall painting, flex banner), registers, printed clinical algorithms, clinical job aids and guidelines booklets/protocols and ensure IEC materials are displayed and put into use needed in patient referral system. - Ensure beneficiary participation, feedback and accountability in all aspects of the project. - Ensure proper communication of field-based data tools to the HWs at the supported facilities. - Support in conducting regular field visits to ensure successful application of referral system. - Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Human Resource Management

- Supervise Junior health workers in the facility on laboratory services and IPC at supported health facilities and build capacity on RDT use and equipment troubleshooting. - Motivate good use of referral criteria, first aid, SOPs and laboratory screening

Operations:

- Ensure proper follow up for timely submission of data. - Submit weekly work plans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.

Communication and Reporting:

- Support clinicians, health officers in compiling statistical reports from the supported patients, health facilities and communities for weekly, monthly and annually submissions. - Ensure adequate flow of information for all supervises with constant feedback as may be required. - Carry out additional relevant or requested duties as may be required by the supervisor.

Key Result Areas:

- Basic and routine laboratory service provisions are improved for patients accessing at the facility supported locations. - Ensure health workers actively participate in laboratory services within the operation locations.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Senior Health Officer (Medical Doctor)

Indirect/Technical Reporting: Nurses, Midwives, Health Manager

Position directly Supervises: Hygiene promoter

Key Internal Contacts:

- Country Program: Health program assistant, Senior health promotion officer, senior capacity building officers, health/RH managers, M&E officer

Key External Contacts:

- MOH, UMTH, SSH, Umaru Shehu Specialist hospital other INGOs (e.g., possible collaborative partners), Community leaders and health facility management team.

Qualifications

- Diploma in laboratory Technology or Laboratory Science Technology, BSc in Biochemistry or Microbiology or related qualification. - certificate in laboratory quality control is an added advantage.

Work Experience:

- one to two years’ experience in laboratory work in health. - Proven experience in community-based programming with the ability to motivate and lead team. - Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. - Experience in working in a team and able to lead a team.

Demonstrated Technical/Leadership/interpersonal Skills:

- Good knowledge of community health, social work in health, health and wellbeing. - Good communication skills. - Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding program delivery - Ability to work well with others and to respect staff, subcontractors, and recipients of assistance. - Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision. - Good sense of integrity, service and accountability.

Languages:

- Fluent in written/spoken English and Hausa - Ability to speak local languages (Kanuri, Shuwa etc.) will be added advantage.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel and outlook.

Standards of Professional Conduct

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality****: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.