Description
Vacancy Announcement
Job title:
Blood Bank Laboratory Scientist
Work Location:
Kono
Department:
Clinical
Reports to:
Medical Director/ Lab Manager
Line Management
Yes/No
Application Status
External Advert
Organisation Profile
Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.
PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Womenโs Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world.
Our Work In Sierra Leone:
Partners In Health (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.
Position Overview
The primary purpose of the position is to provide support to the Koidu Government Hospital Blood Bank Laboratory and other blood banks within PIH-supported facilities to ensure reliable and safe blood bank services in line with WHO standards and national safe blood services guidelines. The blood bank laboratory scientist will support blood bank Laboratory activities by working side by side with the Ministry of Health colleagues and being the link between PIH-SL and the National Safe Blood Services Program (NSBS). He/ she will also serve as PIH SL blood bank Laboratory liaison with the responsibility to oversee all aspects of PIH SL Blood Bank Laboratory programs supporting diagnostic and blood bank services in Sierra Leone. He will ensure competency of all Blood Bank Laboratory personnel and adherence to PIH/MOHS Quality Management System.
Main Duties and Responsiblities
- Oversee all aspects of PIH Sierra Leoneโs diagnostic and blood bank programs.
- Prioritize and process blood samples and perform various Blood Bank functions as elaborated in the National Blood Bank Policy and Procedure manual.
- Ensure the Blood bank equipment is maintained in good operating condition by performing routine preventive maintenance, including start-up and shut-down procedures of major instruments
- Troubleshoot equipment as necessary to correct malfunctions
- Register requests on patient and donor specimens for tests
- Ensure and maintain a continuous adequate work flow process at the blood bank
- Monitor and ensure completion of laboratory records
- Maintain patientโs documentsโ records using computer systems to conduct patient, donor, testing and processing activities and safeguarding blood donors and recipients
- Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of Blood Bank (BB) activities, non-conformance and complications
- Consistently complete Transfusion Reaction Investigation (TRI) form thoroughly and accurately, documenting investigation, testing, and transcribing patient history before submitting for supervisory and medical director review
- Participate in Internal/External Assessments and work on corrective measures
- Demonstrate knowledge of Facilities and Safety in Blood Banking, including biological, chemical, and waste management
- Perform all laboratory donor processes, inventory management, patient testing, blood dispensing, and information systems processes in all workstations or care delivery sites of the PIH-SL network.
- Encourage a cooperative team spirit and coaching others who need to adjust their interpersonal skills
- Develop Blood bank Laboratory SOPs for tests and procedures
- Perform any other duty assign by your supervisor/s
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment
At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members โ as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Partners In Healthโs PSEAH policy. Partner In Health will request information from applicantsโ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Education and Work Experience Requirements
Required Qualifications
โข Technical knowledge and professional experience in Blood Bank laboratory diagnostics and Immunohematology.
โข University degree, BSc in Clinical Laboratory Science.
โข Scientist with Immunohematology experience/specialization.
โข Laboratory scientist certified to work in Blood Bank
Skills & Qualities
โข Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principle
โข Flexible, enthusiastic and willing to learn from others
โข Ability to multitask and cope with competing demands under tight deadlines
โข Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment
โข Strong organizational and time management skills and flexibility to learn and take on new tasks
โข Strong ability to meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
โข Ability to work full time in Kono
Experience:
โข Previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered as a strong advantage
โข At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in Blood Bank services, preferably in a busy hospital blood bank
โข High professional ethics
โข Ability to collaborate professionally with culturally diverse colleagues and constituencies.
โข Strong verbal and written English skills
โข Computer literate, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
โข Experience in team management.
โข Experience in training and mentorship.
โข Language skills: English .
Social Justice
We are a global health and social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally to those who need it most. We strive to ease suffering by placing patients at the center of all care, bringing the benefits of modern medicine to all.
Method of application
Interested candidates are required to apply through our website: www.pih.org/employment. In your application, please ensure to include names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees not later