Laboratory Supervisor (1 position)

Position status: Full time 
Location: Ad Dahi Hospital – Ad Dahi District, Hodeida Governorate
Contract duration: 1-year contract with a probation period 

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, humanitarian, non-governmental organization providing assistance to people in need as a result of natural and man-made disasters, irrespective of race, religion, ideology or politics.
    
Main Purpose

Planning, organizing and carrying out laboratory activities and supervising the laboratory staff according to MSF protocols, security measures and hygiene standards, in order to support the MSF medical team in the diagnosis of patients’ diseases.

Accountabilities

• Participating in the project planning and follow-up and reviewing the laboratory budget when necessary in order to support MSF’s medical activities. 
• Ensuring the compliance of MSF hygiene and safety protocols, both individually and collectively as well as informing staff of existing biological risks. 
• Performing laboratory tests and carrying out sample collection (serology, hematology, biochemistry, bacteriology, parasitology ...) in accordance with prescriptions as well as ensuring that quality control tests are carried out regularly. Informing the doctor of the results of the tests and keeping a record of the analysis with data from patients.
• Ensuring proper management (cleaning, maintenance, arranging) of all laboratory equipment and the adequate supply of needed equipment and material in order to prevent stock-outs. This includes being responsible for all required automatic instrument calibration, ensuring that no material is taken out of laboratories without prior authorization and carrying out a proper storage system and conditions, inventory, etc.  In cooperation with logistics department, ensuring that cold chain is properly maintained in Laboratory areas for both, samples and reagents. 
• In the absence of a Laboratory Manager, ensuring proper registration and needs of all lab related activities and implementing a correct use of the associated management tool (EpyTryp. Etc.) in order to have a proper recording of laboratory activities. Preparing and sending slides/samples for external quality control . 
• Supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, coaching, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required
• Ensuring  that all staff  using medical devices are qualified and trained. Ensuring  cleaning and minor maintenance tasks are performed  according to the protocols. Reporting any malfunction to the project biomedical service.
• Producing regular reports on the testing and on any issues / problems related to laboratory personnel and / or the material used. 

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

Laboratory Operations & Quality Assurance:

I.    Perform and supervise a wide range of laboratory tests including serology, hematology (with a haematology machine), biochemistry, bacteriology (basic), and parasitology, ensuring strict adherence to established protocols ,SOPs and clinician prescriptions.
II.    Ensure all samples are collected, handled, and processed correctly according to MSF and MoH guidelines and SOPs. Through active follow up of sample,collection, handling, storage and shipment for all samples to and from the Laboratory.
III.    Implement and rigorously monitor internal quality control (IQC) tests for all performed assays (including haematology and biochemistry) on a regular basis, interpreting results and initiating corrective actions when necessary.
IV.    Support and facilitate participation in external quality assessment (EQA) schemes or proficiency testing where possible.
V.    Promptly communicate critical and significant laboratory results to clinicians, providing necessary interpretation and ensuring proper documentation.
VI.    Maintain accurate and detailed records of all analyses, patient data, and quality control results.
VII.    Share IQC resluts weekly report with Lab staff and Monthly in the Sitrep.
VIII.    Continue supporting the clinical team with use of microbilogy capacity available, Use of blood cultures ,tracking contamination rates and sample shiment and handling

2. Management of Laboratory Resources & Equipment:

I.    Oversee the proper management, cleaning, and preventative maintenance of all laboratory equipment, including the haematology machine, blood bank refrigerator, microscope, and other analyzers.
II.    Ensure all required automatic instrument preventive maintenance charts is performed (daily, monthly & annual service) and documented. 
III.    Report any major equipment malfunctions promptly to the project biomedical service and logistics department and PMR.
IV.    Maintain strict control over laboratory supplies, ensuring adequate stock levels of reagents, consumables, and other materials to prevent stock-outs. This includes active participation in forecasting and ordering processes, coordinating with MSF Pharmacy& Logistics and MoH supply chain where weekly,monthly.
V.    Implement and monitor a proper storage system for all materials, ensuring correct storage conditions (e.g., maintaining cold chain for samples and reagents in cooperation with the logistics& pharmacy department).
VI.    Ensure no laboratory material is removed without prior authorization.
VII.    Work in close collaboration with Pharmacy manager on stock annalysis monthly, following up on stock rupturesm sleeping stocks, and expiries.This report should be summarized in the Lab sitrep

3. Blood Bank Management:

I.    Oversee the safe and efficient operation of the blood bank, including donor screening, blood collection performed on-site, processing, proper storage, cross-matching, and issuance of blood and blood products.
II.    Ensure compliance with blood safety guidelines and protocols for MSF and MOH.
III.    Report activity data on Sitrep monthly showing the trend.

4. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Support & Integration:

I.    Provide technical support and guidance to clinical staff (doctors and nurses) performing RDTs in ITFC, ATFC,PHCCs,ER, and IPD, ensuring correct technique, interpretation, and quality assurance for these tests.
II.    Ensure proper documentation and reporting of RDT results from these departments are uploaded into DHIS2in collaboration with Data Supervisor weekly and monthly
III.    Collaborate closely with MOH on ELISA tests performed in parallel with RDTSin blood bank,closely monitor MSFsupport initiatives periodically and let MOH take leadership in the operations of ELISA

5. Team Leadership & Capacity Building (MoH Staff &MSF lab tech):

I.    Prepare the laboratory Roster in collaboration with MOH to ensure adherence to all HR policies and internal regulations.
II.    In close coordination with the HR department, supervise, coach, and mentor MoH laboratory staff working within Ad Dahi Hospital.
III.    Participate in the induction, training, and performance evaluation of laboratory personnel, fostering their professional development and ensuring appropriate skill sets for all sections for the general laboratory.
IV.    Ensure that all staff utilizing medical devices, including RDTs, are qualified and adequately trained according to protocols and quarterly in the sitrep share the equipment inventory and functionality for all project lab equipment and point of use.
V.    Promote a culture of continuous learning and quality improvement among the laboratory team by scheduling a monthly CME calender for staff to present powerpoints on critical results, new tests updates and new SOPs.

6. Project Planning, Reporting & Compliance:

I.    Participate actively in project planning, follow-up meetings, and review the laboratory support to align with MSF’s medical activities and  MSF support sustainability.
II.    Sumbit all reports required for the project,this include Laboratory Data, Sitrep, Quality control and Equipment inventory and service status
III.    Ensure strict PEP(post exposure prophylaxis) is adhered to in the Laboratory in collaboration with PMR support.
IV.    In the absence of a Laboratory Manager, ensure proper registration and reporting of all lab-related activities, implementing correct use of associated management tools for accurate recording.
V.    Prepare and send slides/samples for external quality control for Malaria Blood film, Peripheral blood film and gramstain slides
VI.    Produce regular, timely reports on testing volumes, quality control issues, stock management, human resource matters, and any other relevant laboratory-related problems.

7. Collaboration & Referral Pathway:

I.    Actively implement and monitor the agreed-upon tiered biochemistry testing pathway, guiding clinical and lab staff on when to use the MoH General Lab, MSF's supplementary resources, or external referral for critical cases or specific tests.
II.    Communicate proactively with clinicians and MoH counterparts regarding lab capacities, limitations, and results.

Requirements
    
Education    

• Essential Bachelor’s Degree as Laboratory Technician and a valid practice license recognized by Yemen state.  

Experience    

• Essential 2 years’ experience in a laboratory, preferably as a Lab Tech.
• Desirable in MSF or another NGO, desirable in a clinical laboratory

Languages      

•  Arabic and English (at least B2) are essential 

Knowledge    

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

Competencies    

• Results
• Teamwork
• Flexibility
• Commitment
• Stress management