Laboratory Technician at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Médecins sans frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders, is an international humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization (NGO) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases.

Perform clinical laboratory activities according to MSF protocols, security and hygiene measures in order to obtain results to determine the patient’s treatment.

• According to medical prescription, preparing and performing clinical exams/tests with appropriate techniques and following MSF protocols and procedures. This function includes, among others:
• Taking blood, vaginal and urethral samples.
• Centrifuging blood and urine samples.
• Performing laboratory exams (serology, hematology, biochemistry, bacteriology or parasitological, according to context of the mission).
• Ensuring proper reporting and registration of the sample results in order to keep a written track of activity and give information to the relevant persons, ensuring confidentiality.
• Taking care, manage and organize efficiently the laboratory material/equipment:
• Perform cleaning and minor maintenance for biomedical equipment used. Following the user manual and protocols and alert supervisor in case of malfunctioning
• Applying hygiene and safety protocols, doing daily cleaning /maintenance, sterilization, washing general glassware after procedures are done.
• Ensuring proper sample waste disposal according to MSF protocols and highest safety standards.
• Supplying orders, do stock, storage conditions follow-up, keep inventory.
• Keeping organized the data collection system of laboratory results and all information generated from the analysis done.
• Reporting all relevant information linked to the activity in the laboratory to the line manager, especially the loss/robbery/damage of laboratory equipment or medicines.
• Respect the universal hygiene standards and follow the disposal guidelines.
• Apply personal protective measures while working in the lab; this includes MSF recommended scrubs/tunic trousers.
• Disinfect the working benches/tables before and after work according to the MSF protocol.
• Do proper and optimal waste segregation to reduce accidents and ensure safety in the department.
• Place order (weekly/monthly) for reagents and materials based on consumption with the support of the direct supervisor.
• Chart the fridges in the morning and evening and monitor the cold chain.
• Keep record of all investigations done: that is, the patients’ names, age, address/block, date, diagnosis, requester and result of the investigation(s) done.
• Perform tests as per the SOP and within the provided turnaround time.
• Prepare blood and blood products transfusion (Prioritizing emergency cases in consultation with the direct supervisor and/ or line manager
• Ensure that results are dispatched according to the departmental units in a timely manner.
• Be able to prepare, stain and examine TB smears, peripheral blood film, gram’s staining and
• Indian ink staining.
• Report problems and other relevant information related to patient services to the supervisor in a timely manner.
• Performing minor maintenance and cleaning of the biomedical equipment following user manual and protocols. Alerting the supervisor in case of malfunctioning of any device.
• Perform internal and external quality controls as scheduled in the SOPs, guidelines and protocols
• Facilitate the referral of samples to external laboratories in coordination with the lab supervisor and/or the line manager.
• Do pre and post counseling, grouping, screening and bleeding of blood donors.
• Do investigations in the departments/units/wards if required.
•  In the absence of the lab supervisor, supervise the auxiliary laboratory assistants and the allocation of duties pertaining to laboratory work and perform training or refreshment for auxiliary laboratory assistants when needed. Keep communication with the line manager.
• Generate daily, weekly and monthly reports/data from the activities of the department.
• Facilitate any needs relating to epidemic surveillance.
• Ensure that quality control tests are carried out regularly or as required by SOPS/MSF.
• Work in the laboratory during irregular hours if necessary .

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