The CDC/UVRI
Zoonotics Program, Special Pathogens Unit, is seeking a Laboratory Specialist
who is an experienced microbiologist competent in laboratory diagnostic
procedures and who will assist the CDC/UVRI Laboratory Team and program
director in managing the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) laboratory and carrying
out program activities. The lab specialist will report to the head of the UVRI
Arbovirology Department and have direct responsibility for laboratory sample
reception, registration, and diagno
stic testing in the UVRINSPB/ VHF
laboratory. Key duties include: Sample reception, registration, archiving,
record keeping, and diagnostic testing of clinical samples, and working with
the Laboratory Team Lead on ensuring quality control and quality assurance of
diagnostic assays. Liaises with project officers and partners responsible for
sample collection and submission, data management and procurement to ensure
smooth mining of the laboratory activities. Assists the Laboratory Team Lead to
ensure that the laboratory conforms to defined standards at all times in order
to work towards achieving laboratory accreditation.
Laboratory
Management (40%)
• Performs sample
reception of suspect VHF clinical samples, registers samples, and assists in
processing sample for testing
• Assists Laboratory
Team Lead and other Laboratory Specialists in clinical and laboratory specimen
processing, packaging, and shipment both within country and internationally.
• Keeps updated
records on all lab processes and regularly reports problems being faced or
anticipated; provides suggestions to management on possible solutions.
Maintains accurate
inventory of archived specimens in freezer storage, records of supplies,
equipment, and reagents and reports on the procurement needs of new and
additional laboratory supplies.
Responsible to the
Laboratory Team Lead for monitoring laboratory equipment and reagents and will
report any issues as soon as they are detected.
• Assures a safe
work environment for all laboratory-based practices; ensuring that all
technical installations for this purpose are properly maintained and in good
working condition.
• Controls, monitors
and orders for supplies for the Laboratory
• Monitors all VHF
laboratory equipment performance and maintains their repair/service schedules;
assures laboratories, including utilities, are clean and safe and provides
training to all personnel where appropriate.
• Communicates and
provides technical assistance to partners, including how to properly perforrn
laboratory-based procedure related to the surveillance of VHFs.
• Provide technical
assistance and training for field sites conducting VHF surveillance.
Laboratory
Diagnostics (40%)
• Performs
laboratory diagnostic testing (molecular and serology) on VHF specimens and
ensures testing results are provided in a timely manner.
• Uses databases for
all laboratory testing results and regularly reports on problems faced and
solutions to management.
• Follow GCLP and
assists laboratory staff to gain accreditation from an international
accreditation body
• Maintains regular
communications with VHF Laboratory Team lead and program director on use,
reliability, and accuracy of VHF diagnostic reagents and tests and reports
problems and issues.
• Evaluates and
Monitors the QA and QC procedures in the VHF laboratory and ensures that
validated SOPs are in place for all assays performed in the laboratory.
Laboratory Field
Activities: (15%):
• Performs field
work for VHF outbreaks as needed and serves as a laboratory focal point for the
collection, processing, storage, and shipment of specimens from the outbreak
epicenter to the UVRI VHF laboratory
• Assists Program
Director and epidemiologists to conduct VHF surveillance site visits and
provides technical assistance to District or health facility laboratory total
person.
• Provides
laboratory field support during VHF ecology studies and research projects
Other duties as
assigned: (5%): Personal Qualities
• High Level of
integrity; a good team player, and the ability to collaborate and work well
with other team members and partners;
• Good interpersonal
communication skills
• Self driven, motivated,
flexible and willing to work beyond working hours including weekends and public
holidays;
• Proven ability to
work in a demanding environment and under minimum supervision;
• Previous
participation in health research and public health programs is an added
advantage;
• Team spirit and
networking skills are desirable.
• Interest to work
with VHF-related activities is highly desirable
Qualifications
Education
• Bachelor of
Science degree is biomedical laboratory technology, or equivalent degree and
experience.
Prior Work
Experience
• Five to eight
years experience in laboratory diagnostics and research is required.
• Previous work
experience with VHF outbreaks is highly desirable
Written applications
with copies of academic certificates, curriculum vitae including two referees
and their contacts should be submitted to: The Director
Uganda Virus
Research Institute
P.O. Box 49
Entebbe.