Job Opportunity at ICAP

Job Opportunity at ICAP

Position Title: THIS Central Lab Technologist (multiple positions)
Reports to: THIS Lab Adviser
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Location: TBD
Travel: Up to 40% in intervention districts outside of job location
About THIS 2022-2023:

The Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) is a national population-level HIV impact assessment (PHIA) conducted with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and technical assistance through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ICAP at Columbia University. THIS is being led by the Government of Tanzania (GoT) through Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) and Zanzibar AIDS
Commission (ZAC), and the Ministries of Health (MoH) of Mainland and Zanzibar,

Job Opportunity at ICAP

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Office of Chief Government Statistician (OCGS), and the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG). The survey will be implemented by NBS, OCGS, and ICAP in collaboration with local partners, including the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the Zanzibar Institute of Health Research (ZAHRI), Public Health Laboratories, the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), and the Zanzibar Integrated HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (ZIHHTLP).

Overall Job Function:

THIS will operate a central lab to conduct key survey related laboratory activities (preparation of quality control materials, HIV viral load (VL), Hepatitis B and C serology testing, Hepatitis C VL, HIV recency testing and long-term storage of specimens). Under the supervision of the THIS lab adviser and central lab manager, the central lab technologist will be responsible for receiving specimens from the satellite/mobile laboratories, perform HIV VL, Hepatitis B and C serology testing,

Hepatitis C VL, documenting and sending VL and serology results back to participants through health facilities and shipping of specimens to other labs for specialized testing (ARV detection, HIV genotyping for drug resistance). In addition, he/she will be responsible for long term storage of specimens (both plasma and DBS) in the provided -80 degrees freezer.

Specific Responsibilities and Duties:

• Receiving and checking the quality of all THESE specimens (Plasma and DBS) from the satellite/mobile labs.
• Logging all received specimens in the Laboratory Data Management System or Laboratory Information Management System (LDMS/LIMS) for specimen storage management.
• Performing routine serology and molecular tests for THIS i.e., Hep B and C rapid tests, HIV TNA PCR, HIV and HCV VL tests on all eligible THIS specimens.
• Assist with retrieval, organizing and returning of VL, CD4, serology and occasional HIV TNA PCR results and their dissemination to district health facilities within the TAT according to THIS protocol.
• Performing Lag avidity EIA (HIV recency) on all THIS eligible specimens.
• Assisting in preparation and distribution of all THIS QC materials to satellite/mobile laboratories.
• Ensure proper results management for both local tests and referral tests as per THIS results SOPs.
• Maintaining/QC processes related to THIS testing (serology and molecular testing) as per THIS SOPs.
• Assist with resolution of HIV discrepancy results through additional testing and return of results.
• Assisting in submission of monthly reports to THIS lab adviser.
• Manage long term storage of specimens as per SOPs.
• Monitor reagent storage conditions and troubleshoot issues with testing kits.
• Perform shipment of DBS and plasma specimens outside Tanzania for specialized testing as required by THIS protocol.
• Participate in the trainings at the central lab related to THIS lab activities.
• Adhere to health and safety procedures in the laboratory.
• Coordinate proper disposal of central laboratory bio-hazard waste
• Assist in all THIS lab activities as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Opportunity at ICAP

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Required Education: Degree in biomedical or laboratory sciences
• Required Technical Experience: Minimum 2 years’ work experience in a busy medical laboratory with experience in HIV-1 RNA and HIV-1 DNA PCR using Roche and Abbott platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with fluency in English and Kiswahili required.
• Strong computer skills (MS Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint at minimum; preferred proficiency with statistical Software such as SAS and SPSS).
• Attention to detail and high accuracy.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Ability to lead and work with a diverse team
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong problem-solving skills.
• Flexible to work after normal working hours and on weekends with significant travel outside of duty station.
• Familiar with Tanzanian context; fluency in Kiswahili preferred

The deadline for submitting the application is 16 November 2022.

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