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Job Title:   Regional Laboratory Coordinator

Organisation: Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Quality Assurance (QA) Advisor

About the Company:

The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) is an indigenous medical organization that was established in 1991 as a limited liability not-for-profit Joint-venture between the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Defense and Makerere University Medical School (now Makerere College of Health Sciences).

Job Summary:   The Regional Laboratory Coordinators will with support of the QA Advisor offer mentorship, audit, training on ISO 15189, ISO 17043, ISO 19011, ISO 22367 to laboratories in the respective regions to ensure progress on the SMLTA model, achieving of international accreditation to ISO 15189 and sustaining of accreditation for sites already accredited. The incumbent shall be responsible for making input to designing, and implementing some of the strategies for improvement of laboratory services developed by Quality Manager, Quality Assurance Specialists and the QA Advisor in the respective region. The Regional Coordinator will work with Regional implementing partners to ensure implementation of quality management systems at all tier of laboratory services.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Quality management.

• Provide technical assistance to laboratories to implement document lifecycle for quality assurance policies and procedures
• Provide technical assistance to interpret and implement quality assurance standards and procedures.
• Support accredited laboratories to establish and implement quality management plans in line with the national strategy to sustain accreditation.
• Conduct gap analysis at supported laboratories through focused audits and risk assessment, address gaps in collaboration with regional IPs and monitor effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions. Devise sampling procedures and directions for recording and reporting quality assurance data into national quality assurance dashboards
• Participate in support supervision of selected laboratories for improvement of service delivery.
• Conduct site mentorships for identified gaps in the areas of Biorisk management
• Support EQA program to ensure enrollment, participation and timely response of laboratories.
• Participate in well documented internal audits and other quality assurance activities, and ensure such activities achieve intended outcomes.
• Support online ECHO training activities through coordinating targeted sites, develop training modules to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the planned trainings.
• Work with regional IPs to support conducting competence assessment of internal auditors in the supported laboratories
• Work with supported accredited laboratories to evaluate feasibility of adding scope tests for accreditation.
• Coordinate conducting of management reviews for all supported sites, equipment verification and measurement uncertainty and inform stakeholders at national and regional levels on matters arising.
• Prepare reports to communicate outcomes of quality activities
• Participate in and where applicable organise external audits by 2nd party and 3rd party assessors
• and ensure intended outcomes of such assessments are achieved.
• Assure ongoing compliance with quality and industry regulatory requirement
• Support laboratories establish robust quality management systems through SLMTA/SLIPTA models.
• Support the implementation of the Uganda National Accreditation Service (UGANAS) activities for QMS sustainability.

Reporting and Accountability

• Ensure development and submission of timely regional activity reports to the Quality Assurance (QA) Advisor.
• Ensure proper utilization and accurate accountability for project resources as assigned while achieving 100% of project short term, midterm and long-term outcomes.

Expected Output

• Number of laboratories enrolled with satisfactory EQA records
• A functional National laboratory accreditation and certification system
• Laboratories with functional quality management systems
• Access to quality-assured laboratory services
• Laboratory data for decision-making at laboratory, health facility, program and policy levels.
• Timely project performance reports
• Well planned and executed meetings with all stakeholders
• Number of laboratories accredited
• Number of laboratories that transitioned
• Number of laboratories certified on SLMTA
• Number of accredited laboratories that sustain accreditation
• Traceability of the quality assurance dashboard data
• Implemented quality management plans at accredited labs
• Number of quality trainings conducted

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory technology/Sciences with at least 5 years’ experience in a health system strengthening project.
• Full and active registration with the Allied Health Professionals council.
• Training in Quality management systems based on ISO 15189; Management review for QMS based on ISO 15189; Corrective action, Preventive action, risk management for QMS based on ISO 15189, ISO 19011 auditing guidelines of QMS based on ISO 15189, statistical process control
• Training in Bio-risk management and knowledge on ISO 35001
• Training in Risk Management based on ISO 22367:2020
• Experience in implementing ISO 17043 is an added advantage
• Experience in supporting a laboratory to exit the SLMTA CQI model
• Exposure to ILAC, SANAS TG/TR guidelines
• Experience in supporting at least two laboratories to achieve international accreditation to ISO 15189.

Skills Required

• Attention to detail; Communication skills – verbal and written; Data collection, management and analysis;
• Problem analysis and problem solving; Planning and Organizing; Sound judgment; decision-making skills;
• Customer service orientation; effective interaction with stakeholders; Teamwork.

How to Apply:

• All applications should be addressed to The Manager Human Resource & Development Joint Clinical Research Centre via jobs@jcrc.org.ug .
• Applicants are STRICTLY advised to apply with a cover letter and CV combined in one PDF document not exceeding six pages, quoting clearly the Position in the subject line e.g. Regional Laboratory Coordinator.
• Label the PDF document with your full name.
• Failure to follow the above application procedure will lead to automatic disqualification.

Deadline: 20th August, 2024 at 5:00pm.

Note: JCRC is an equal opportunity employer. Any attempts of influencing the recruitment process will lead to automatic disqualification.

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