Laboratory Assistant (National Position)

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. The IRC has been operating in Thailand since 1975 and currently provides assistance to displaced persons in Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Mae Hong Son provinces.

Job Overview/Summary:

Under the direct supervision of Laboratory Training Manager, the Laboratory Assistant will be responsible for day-to-day support of laboratories activities in refugee camps. He/she will support the Laboratory Training Manager in carrying out laboratory activities by monitoring visits, providing regular feedback and trainings to camp-based laboratory stipend workers. He/she will assist in conducting and monitoring in laboratory quality assurance, procurement, inventory management, and maintenance of laboratory supplies and equipment. This position is based in the IRC Office in Umphang, Tak province, Thailand

. Major Responsibilities:

1. Technical Support

- Provide regular visits to Tak camps laboratories and provide ongoing monitoring and technical oversight for laboratory services in the camps. - Assist to Laboratory Training Manager to provide technical oversight in reviewing monthly consumption patterns, approving monthly requisition, and facilitate the procurement of laboratory supplies and equipment and inventory management. - Conducting the trainings related COVID19 for all health care workers according to urgent needs to overcome challenges, obstacles related with COVID19 pandemic and, associate with the Surveillance rapid & response teams for the outbreak situations and with others during the COVID19 pandemic. - Ensure proper adherence to safety regulations while undertaking laboratory tasks - Ensure proper laboratory waste management - Identify issues and problems in the Laboratory activities and assist in finding solutions - Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or program needs.

2. Assist in Improving the laboratory technician knowledge and skill

- Assist training needs of laboratory program staff, develop training plan, and provide new, refresher, and initial trainings on a regular basis. - Assist to Laboratory Training Manager to develop laboratory manual for all laboratory tests available in camps, as a reference and to ensure up-to-date protocols of the new tests. - Assist in conducting biannual assessment of knowledge and practice of laboratory technicians

3. Ensure proper use and maintenance of lab equipment and supplies at camp level

- Check stock cards and inventory, and storage in the camps monthly - Ensure maintenance and good condition of laboratory materials and equipment and coordinate their replacement/repair if needed - Validate and supervise the delivery of laboratory items in collaboration with camp base lab supervisors in the camps.

Position Reports to: Laboratory Training Manager Position directly supervises: None. Indirect Reporting: Camp Base Assistant Other Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: IRC Health team, IRC Operation Team and Camp Base Staff

Qualifications

Job Requirements:

Education:

- Bachelor’s degree or certificate in medical technology.

Work Experience:

- Minimum 2 years working experience in laboratory services with expertise in microscopy-based laboratory tests and quality control.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- Professional demeanors and Positive attitude. - Good verbal and written communication skills. - Experience working with multicultural employee and partner. - Ability to work well in a team. - Ability to work independently. - Ability to respond quickly to program needs. - Critical thinking and time management skills. - Experience in working with NGO is an advantage.

Language Skills: Fluency in English and Burmese. Thai, Karenni or Karen is a plus. Typing Burmese is a plus. Certificates or Licenses: N/A

Working Environment:

The position will be based in the IRC Umphang Office with some traveling to three refugee camps Mae La, Umpiem, and Nupo as required.

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, Accountability and Equality. 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.

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.