Outbreak Response Laboratory Technician Full Time NEW

Job Description

Outbreak Response Laboratory Technician

Medical Teams International – Ethiopia

Medical Teams Calling

Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.

Medical Teams International holds strict child and vulnerable adult safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct related to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment & selection, hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates’ eligibility thorough background checks, police clearance, and professional reference check processes.

JOB SUMMARY

The outbreak response Laboratory Technician will contribute to the calling of Medical Teams by providing quality medical laboratory tests to support diagnosis, treatment, and disease surveillance of Marburg viral disease (MVD). The Laboratory technician ensures the accuracy and reliability of test results while maintaining a safe and efficient laboratory environment in accordance with national guidelines and quality standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collect, label, and process patient specimens (e.g., blood, urine, stool, sputum) following proper procedures.
• Perform laboratory tests such as haematology, urinalysis, serology, parasitology, and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs).
• Record, analyses, and report test results accurately and promptly to clinicians.
• Ensure the proper functioning and regular maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Maintain adequate stock of reagents and supplies, monitor expiration dates and usage.
• Process specimens to be sent to outside laboratories and do follow up as required.
• Adhere to infection prevention and control (IPC) and biosafety protocols at all times.
• Ensure hygiene and sterilization criteria, including universal precautions, are met; manage waste as per good laboratory practices.
• Participate in external quality assurance (EQA) schemes and internal quality control (IQC) procedures.
• Support disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Conduct performance evaluations and enforce disciplinary procedures as per Medical Teams policy.
• Support the integration of accountability practices into program activities by following established procedures during planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. Help ensure that accountability is reflected in day-to-day tasks, team interactions, and when working with partners or communities.
• Support safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding code of conduct and behavior expectations.

Other Duties:

• Utilize volunteers, translators, incentive workers and community health workers when appropriate.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions.

NOTE: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department, or organization. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned; The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

EDUCATION, LICENSES, & CERTIFICATIONS

Required: –

• Diploma from accredited institution.
• Valid practicing license is required.

Preferred:-

BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology from a recognized institution.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 2 years’ work experience in a clinical laboratory, preferably in a primary healthcare setting.
• Experience or certificate of working in outbreak response situation.
• Experience working with INGOs is an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of laboratory practices
• Knowledge of how to operate standard laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of hygiene management and IPC protocol.

Skills:

• Skilled in performing routine laboratory investigations and interpreting results.
• Skilled in developing and conducting training.
• Good communication skills, with good command of written and spoken English.
• Skilled at using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Abilities:

• Analytical with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and test results.
• Ability to support MTI Calling and adhere to the MTI Code of Conduct.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent use of a personal computer, database and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer.
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern which requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself.
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25kg.
• Seldom to occasionally positions oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot.