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.

• 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 the logistics department, ensuring that the cold chain is properly maintained in Laboratory areas for both samples and reagents.
• In the absence of a Laboratory Manager, ensuring proper registration and the needs of all laboratory-related activities, and implementing a correct use of the associated management tool (EpyTryp, etc) 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 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. Report 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.

Context-specific accountabilities

The MSF Karachi project has a TB clinic with diagnosis and treatment for DSTB/DRTB patients, integrated in Baldia RHC. This position holder will be responsible for the following tasks in addition to the general accountabilities mentioned above.

• Supervise and coordinate daily laboratory activities, ensuring efficient workflow and high-quality results
• Taking the lead in the implementation and maintenance of quality control and quality assurance protocols according to MSF guidelines
• Supervise laboratory technicians, providing guidance and performance evaluations
• Oversee TB diagnosis, follow-up of geneXpert and smear microscopy, hematology, and biochemistry results, ensuring accurate and reliable results in a timely manner.
• Ensuring efficient and effective working collaboration between MSF and PMDT sites/ reference labs on matters of TB culture
• Ensuring proper storage and transportation of specimens to the referral laboratories and proper tracking of the results.
• Ensuring proper waste management by ensuring that laboratory wastes are properly disposed of
• Working collaboratively with the MoH and other hospitals (if any) to ensure the smooth flow of laboratory activities.
• Collecting credible weekly and monthly data to help the management make realistic assumptions on consumption.
• Compile monthly situation reports/sitreps timely manner
• Coordinate proactively and efficiently with other medical team members and other departments to strengthen the quality of care and follow-up of laboratory results.
• Participating in routine laboratory meetings aimed at improving the efficiency of the laboratory
• Identifying gaps on sample collection and organizing refresher trainings to address the gaps.
• Identifying gaps proactively and providing suggestions on laboratory-related matters to the line manager for further improvement.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment, promoting teamwork and collaboration
• Fulfil any additional tasks as assigned by the line manager, showing willingness to contribute as required.