The Millennium Villages Project, supported by Millennium Promise Alliance and the Earth Institute at Columbia University, is a bottom-up approach to lift developing country villages out of the poverty trap that afflicts more than a billion people worldwide. The Millennium Villages’ team of experts in Agriculture, Nutrition and Health, Economics, Energy, Water, Agribusiness, Environment and Information Technology are working with local communities and governments to apply a proven holistic package of interventions to help villages get out of extreme poverty and meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With support from Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and funding from the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom, a SADA Millennium Village has been established in parts of the West Mamprusi, Mamprugu Moaduri and Builsa Districts of the Northern and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The project area covers a cluster of contiguous rural communities with an estimated population of 25,000 people.

Description Of Job

Responsibilities/Duties

May perform any or all of the following duties:

•  Set up, evaluate and operate current and new equipment, instruments and apparatus required for specific laboratory tests and assume adequate responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance.
•  Coordinate the preparation and quality assurance of culture media, chemicals, reagents, stains and solutions as appropriate.
•  Supervise and Participate in specimen collection when required according to test requested, either directly by vein-puncture or skin puncture; maintain responsibility for patient identification, specimen labeling and collection verification, or instructing patients or other healthcare providers in collection and preservation techniques for urine, sputum, stool, scrapings, autologous/directed donations, or other specimens for analysis.
•  Evaluate collected laboratory data and prepare reports assessing accuracy, completeness, timeliness, progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
•  Participate in the development of new medical laboratory procedures and techniques
•  Provide technical guidance and instruction to students, interns, residents, staff and other employees
•  Participate in the development and implementation of clinical evaluations.
•  Act as a person in charge (PIC) as well as a resource person/role model, as per guidelines determined by laboratory management. Monitor Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Safety and Infection Control practices to assure compliance with internal and external regulations.
•  Maintain sufficient inventory of material supplies and equipment for performance of duties; clean and maintain standard laboratory equipment.
•  Monitor workflow, assessment of staffing levels and reassignment as needed. Follow up to ensure work is completed.
•  Utilize various laboratory and hospital information systems and software.
•  Communicate in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family and other medical personnel as necessary to obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures, clarify orders and communicate status.
•  Interact courteously with doctors/clinicians, nurses and health unit coordinators (HUC) and other healthcare providers when answering questions or providing other information about a patient’s results. *Participate in lab inspections and work with inspectors as needed.
•  Provide advanced problem solving, troubleshooting, interpretation/consultation,  verification of specimen quality and test results.
•  Support the project team in Medical Research.
•  Perform related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Qualification Required & Experience

Minimum Required Qualifications:

•  Bsc. Medical Laboratory Technologist from recognized university with a minimum of five years working experience as a practicing Medical Laboratory Technologist with the Ghana Health Service or any recognized Health Facility.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•  Experience involving patient contact, customer service in a medical setting, strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
•  Basic knowledge in medical terminology,
•  Working knowledge of laboratory and hospital computer systems is helpful.
•  Thorough knowledge of laboratory safety and infection control procedures and practices including standard precautions and hazardous chemical
•  Ability to demonstrate required dexterity, knowledge, and ability to complete assigned laboratory tasks and skills, attention to detail and compliance with all appropriate regulatory and safety requirements.
•  Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees.
•  Ability to perform independently in resolving lab problems.

How To Apply For The Job

Terms of offer
MVP offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefits package. The employment contract is for a period of one year with the possibility of renewal. MVP prides itself on its collegial, supportive and gender sensitive working environment and believes that staff diversity promotes excellence. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications

Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: SADA.MVP@millenniumpromise.org with copies to employment@mdgwca.org and jacob.ubindam@millenniumpromise.org.“Application for SADA MVP Laboratory Technologist” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Applications will be considered until two weeks from the date of publication.

Closing Date: 10th November, 2012

Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

www.millenniumvillages.org,
www.millenniumpromise.org,
www.unmillenniumproject.org,
www.mdgcentre.org