Laboratory Technician (06)

ICAP at COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ZAMBIA

JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Laboratory Technician (06) Reports to: Site Coordinator
Location: Lusaka, Chipata, Mazabuka, Mongu, Kitwe, and Solwezi.

Position Summary: Conduct venous blood draw and administer rapid tests for HIV and other STIs as part of survey procedures.

Roles and Responsibilities:
• Conduct venous blood draw from consenting participants,
• Administer rapid tests for HIV, recent HIV-1 infection, syphilis, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) according to test kit procedures and provided Standard, Operating Procedures,
• Record biomarker test results,
• Support data entry for biomarker results,
• Identify and report adverse event(s) to the Site Coordinator,
• Ensure high quality data and ethical and moral conduct to collect accurate and valid information,
• Safeguard assigned data collection equipment, keeping it in good working condition and charged, ready for data collection,
• Ensure proper coordination of activities between survey site and local PCR lab for viral load testing,
• Ensure proper generation, segregation and disposal of laboratory waste,
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality throughout the survey,
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Full Grade 12 certificate
• Diploma/Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences.

Experience and skills required
• Registered with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ),
• 2-3 years working experience,
• Experience in biomedical research or surveys preferred,
• Detail oriented and highly organized, able to multi-task,
• Ability to adapt and work with diverse groups of people,
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice,
• Concise knowledge of laboratory waste management procedures,
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications,
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written communication skills,
• Fluency in English and one or more local languages (e.g. Silozi, Chitonga, Chinyanja, Kikaonde and Cibemba),
• Knowledge of and practical experience working with key populations preferred.