Satellite Laboratorians at APIN Public Health Initiatives Limited / Gte (40 Openings)

APIN Public Health Initiatives Limited/Gte, formerly known as AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria is a non-governmental organization registered with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). APIN has built a strong partnership with the Nigerian Government, which is memorialized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Planning Commission. APIN is a leading Nigerian organization in the provision of prevention, care and treatment services to patients with HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis; Malaria; Reproductive Health; Family Planning; Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, and other non-communicable diseases of public health significance.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Satellite Laboratorian

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Contract
Reporting line: Assistant state coordinators – laboratory

Project Overview

• The Public Health Information Surveillance Solutions and Systems (PHIS3) is a CDC-funded project designed to strengthen HIV service delivery systems and other public health interventions in Nigeria.
• Through continuous quality improvement, monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance, PHIS3 aims to advance health informatics and laboratory quality management in the country.
• As part of its activities, PHIS3 is supporting the Government of Nigeria through the FMOH (NASCP), and working with key stakeholders, (NACA, NCDC, NMOD, Lagos State MOH, and SACA, to implement the Nigeria State-level ART Impact Survey (AIS) in Lagos State.
• This population-based household survey will assess progress towards achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and measure HIV prevalence, informing strategies to enhance public health outcomes.
• We are seeking qualified and dedicated individuals to join our team as Field Workers for the implementation of this survey in Lagos State.

Key Responsibilities

• The satellite laboratory specialist will be responsible for providing testing in the selected laboratory to measure the biomarkers for the AIS.
• Overall specimen receipt verification, processing, and storage as well as lab operations of all AIS-related activities at the Satellite Laboratory
• Lead, coordinate and facilitate all activities related to specimen transfer and quality assurance.
• Coordinate and facilitate the transport of specimens from the field to satellite laboratories.
• Liaise with the field laboratorians to ensure that field testing activities and transport of specimen from field to the satellite lab are conducted as per respective SOP.
• Ensure blood samples are shipped from the satellite to the central laboratory in a timely manner to maintain specimen integrity.
• Ensure that lab staff receive and accession each specimen into a Laboratory Data Management System (LDMS) and process as per AIS standard operating procedure.
• Monitor the entire quality system from pre-examination, examination and post-examination which will include occurrence management, daily/weekly reviews of QC documentation, troubleshooting both equipment and QC failures.
• Monitor and ensure optimal laboratory environmental conditions are maintained to ensure quality of data.

Required Qualifications

• A Medical Laboratory Scientist, skilled in QMS and Data management.
• Experience in working on the laboratory bench for at least 5 years.
• Experience in HIV program; participation in proficiency testing is an advantage.
• Registered with the Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria
• Experience with HIV population surveys and use of LDMS is required.

Required Skills:

• The satellite laboratory specialist position is a position that requires 100% commitment in the laboratory and will have shifts. It is expected that the laboratory specialist will demonstrate competence in Quality Management System (QMS), Laboratory Information Management system and Good Laboratory Practice.
• Experience performing Quality Assurance measures in all phases of biomedical testing.
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English required.

Work Skills:

• Ability to work for long hours.
• Ability to pay attention to details.
• Ability to work with your hands and will need dexterity to work with small vials, test tubes, and delicate lab equipment.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well and cooperate with team members in the field.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and routine equipment maintenance.
• A systematic approach to tasks and the ability to follow instructions and set procedures.
• A high level of flexibility in performing the responsibilities of the position.

General Requirements:

• Willingness to travel extensively and work in different communities within Lagos State.
• Strong commitment to public health and ethical standards.
• Ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams.
• Proficiency in the use of mobile data collection tools (e.g., tablets, smartphones).
• Flexible and willing to work weekends during the survey implementation period.
• Flexible and willing to work weekends during the survey implementation period.
• Candidate must be available throughout the duration of the survey (2 months)
• Candidate must be able to work during evenings and weekends.
• Candidate must be willing to work in rural areas.

Application Closing Date
13th December, 2024.