Laboratory Scientist

The Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) implements a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded Laboratory Systems Strengthening (LSS) Work Plan for the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe (MOHCC). The following vacancy has arisen within BRTI in collaboration with MOHCC.

Roles and responsibilities

• Conducting lab testing and ensuring targets for supported tests including Viral Load and EID are being consistently met.
• Specimen management for supported tests ensuring proper receiving, sorting, rejection, accessioning, registration in LIMS and proper storage prior to testing.
• Ensuring proper monitoring of specimen transport conditions including temperature monitoring to ensure high quality samples are delivered to the laboratory.
• Ensuring good clinical laboratory practice as well as providing technical assistance to other laboratory personnel
• Monitoring reagent and consumable stock status, placing orders, and following up with NATPHARM or BRTI to ensure uninterrupted testing due to stock outs.
• Carrying out and documenting routine user equipment maintenance to control equipment downtime; Performance of relevant quality assurance activities including IQC, EQA
• Compiling and submitting periodic reports in collaboration with other laboratory personnel, including weekly, monthly, quarterly reports and other reports as needed
• Results management including appropriate maintenance of traceable records of all tests done, ensuring patient results are being dispatched and picked up by riders.
• Immediate communication of critical / significant results with ordering health facilities including unsuppressed Viral Load results or positive EID results and ensuring consistent documentation of such communication

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory sciences
• Valid registration with the Professional Body
• 3 - 5 years’ experience in HIV Viral Load and EID molecular testing, working knowledge of laboratory QMS a must.