Laboratory Optimizer at Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi)

Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi) is a non-profit organization that promotes socio-economic development by supporting global health and economic initiatives in Nigeria. It was established as indigenous organizational, registered in 2009 with its headquarter in Abuja, and presence in the four geopolitical regions of Nigeria.  It aims to provide technical assistance to the government and people of Nigeria in the implementation of public health and development programs.

The Global Fund Grant Cycle (GC7) is to ensure a coordinated and intensive effort to scale up the prevention, identification, and treatment of HIV in both general and key populations in Anambra state. The focus will be on facility and community-based approaches to reach epidemic control, and in addition, ensure improvement in the coverage of pregnant women on ART as well as target KP and AGYW programs.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Laboratory Optimizer

Location: Taraba
Contract Type: Adhoc Services
Duration: 9 months with possibility of extension (based on availability of funds)
No of Adhoc: 16
Commencement Date: 2nd January 2024
Supervisor: Direct: Senior Technical Officer Laboratory Services (State level).
Dotted lines: Senior Technical Advisors, Lab (Project Head Office)
Job Category: Adhoc

Background
The Accelerating the Control of HIV Epidemic in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe & Taraba States (ACE-1) Project implemented by AHNi, and the consortium partners is a robust, sustainability-focused, high-impact, evidence-based HIV/AIDS intervention funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims at fast-tracking the attainment of UNAIDS 95:95:95 targets and achieving epidemic control in the focus states. Effective October 1, 2024, AHNi-ACE-1 took over the HIV implementation for the general population in Taraba State. AHNi verified and retained the Adhoc personnel transitioned from RISE for the first 3months to ensure adequate HR availability to continue service provision in all facilities.  AHNi-ACE-1 in collaboration with the Taraba State Government seeks to engage Adhoc personnel to fill the following roles across the 29 Supported Health Facilities in Taraba.

Overall Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Technical Officer Laboratory Services, the Lab Quality Optimizer shall provide technical support and implement high-quality laboratory services within the assigned facilities including adherence to relevant professional standards and guidelines, involvement with laboratory clinical governance issues, proficiency testing, EQA and audit.
• Ensure accountability of Viral load/EID and other clients’ samples collection, processing, shipment, and appropriate documentation of all results returned for clinical decision.
• S/he will provide supervision to the Laboratory support staff at assigned facilities to ensure the activities outlined above are delivered.
• S/he will work with the site enhancement officer to ensure the line list of eligible clients for lab-related services and generated and services provided as and when due.
• S/he shall attend to inquiries/complaints and facilitate access to lab-related services for clients and program support.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities
The services of the Professional Case Manager will include but not limited to the following:

• Ensure quality clinical samples are collected from the right client for HIV viral load, EID, CD4, etc assay for the management of PLHIV in the assigned Health facilities at the appropriate time.
• Ensure viral load samples are properly processed (separated at appropriate speed & time aliquoted into vials) within 6 hours of sample collection and stored appropriately in a temperature-monitored freezer before 3PLs pick up.
• Ensure viral load and EID sample information are documented in the lab register and remotely logged to the designated PCR testing lab through the RSL_LIMS platform.
• Ensure that specimen manifest is promptly printed, and used for sample sorting and arrangement before the arrival of 3PL for pick up at PCR Lab
• Provide a periodic update on the viral load and EID sample collection, 3PLs sample pick up, and results dispatched to the assigned health facility on LIMS.
• Monitor and ensure that printed VL and EID results from LIMS are shared on time with the ART clinic for a prompt update on LAMIS and documentation into Electronic Medical Record and viral load TAT register.
• Ensure the daily monitoring and maintenance are conducted for all ART lab equipment including freezers, inverter systems, centrifuges etc., and periodic updates are provided for program decisions.
• Monitor HIV RTK utilization, administration of HIV internal Quality control, and HIV testing documentation in all HIV multi-testing points within the assigned health facility and community HIV testers that are linked to the assigned Health facilities.
• Work collaboratively with facility lab staff, Lab support staff, and other relevant ad-hoc staff to ensure real-time entries of laboratory data into relevant registers and LIMS.
• Provide daily and weekly updates on VL, EID, CD4, and GeneXpert data documentation into LIMS and results downloaded, printed, and shared with supported facilities.
• Support line listing of clients eligible for VL from EMR, to facilitate proactive tracking and bleeding of all eligible clients for VL daily.
• Work closely with 3PLs and health facilities to ensure that client samples for viral load, EID, CD4, and TB are correctly collected, processed, documented on viral load turnaround time, manifest, and transported, and that results returned are and documented on EMR timely.
• Support the conduct of RTQII and competency assessment at the assigned facility.
• Ensure AHD-related testing is carried out and documented in the relevant register at the assigned facilities.  
• Carry out any other tasks that may be assigned.

Inventory Management:

• Maintain adequate stock of laboratory commodities
• Ensure timely submission of CRIRF and conduct post-distribution gap analysis after the supply of commodities
• Alert relevant authorities whenever there is an imminent stock out of commodities

Recruitments

• Medical lab Science (MLS) with at least 2 years post-NYSC cognate experience. Knowledge and experience in the design, implementation, and management of laboratory services in HIV/AIDS programs.
• Experience with lab-related data management systems
• High level of proficiency in relevant computer applications, particularly Excel
• Excellent interpersonal, management, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently with strong problem-solving skills.
• A Valid Certificate to practice as a Medical Laboratory Scientist is mandatory.
• Familiarity with standards and federal/state regulations regarding the laboratory and laboratory practices
• Fluent English oral and written communication skills; ability to interact professionally in English and oversee development of comprehensive program reports.
• Commitment to and understanding of the organization’s vision, values and principles including rights-based/gender approaches would be expected.
• Experience in a similar position is an added advantage.
• S/he must reside within the LGA where s/he is applying to work.
• Candidate MUST NOT be an employee of the State or Nigerian Government (Any violation of this condition will attract outright dismissal from the Adhoc services with sanctions)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Up-to-date knowledge about HIV interventions and programming at facility and community levels.
• Knowledge about the operating environment i.e. Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Taraba States
• Knowledge of the Nigerian clinical setting, including government and non-government settings.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political, and ethical issues surrounding HIV infections.
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, consultants, and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to communicate in the local dialect.
• Well-developed computer skills.

Application Closing Date
9th December, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward an Application and CV as a single MS Word document to: [email protected] using the Job Title, Location and Facility indicated as the subject of the mail.

Note

• AHNi shall shortlist the candidates that meet the requirements and invite them to be interviewed by AHNi & GoN representatives
• Only applications sent electronically (i.e., by e-mail) with the job title, location and facility indicated as the subject of the mail will be considered and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• AHNi is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Disclaimer: AHNi does not charge candidates a fee for a test or interview.