Laboratory Safety Officer

Reference number CTB 52017

Vacancy: Laboratory Safety Officer

Duty station: Central Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Dar es Salaam                

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis (TB), still the second most deadly infectious disease in the world.

KNCV is an international center of expertise for TB control that promotes effective, efficient, innovative and sustainable tuberculosis control strategies in a national and international context.  We are an organization of passionate TB professionals, including doctors, researchers, training experts, nurses and epidemiologists. We aim to stop the spread of the worldwide epidemic of TB and to prevent the further spread of drug-resistant TB.

Over the past century we have built up a wealth of knowledge and expertise, initially by successfully controlling TB in the Netherlands. Since the 1970s, we have also shared our knowledge and expertise with the rest of the world. We operate from a central office in The Hague in the Netherlands, a regional office in Central Asia and country offices worldwide. KNCV raises funds from private, institutional, corporate, and government donors.

Challenge TB

KNCV is the lead partner in Challenge TB, the new USAID-funded 5-year global program to decrease TB mortality and morbidity in high burdened countries. We lead an international consortium with eight partner organizations: American Thoracic Society (ATS), Family Health International (FHI 360), Interactive Research & Development (IRD), Japanese Anti Tuberculosis Foundation (JATA), Management Sciences for Health (MSH), Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), and the World Health Organization.

The overarching strategic objectives of Challenge TB are to improve access to quality patient centered care for TB, TB/HIV, and MDR-TB services; to prevent transmission and disease progression; and to strengthen TB platforms.

Purpose of the job

Safety officer is responsible for ensuring that the laboratory has a safe environment for all the staff, visitors and patients. In consultation with management, the Safety Officer will develop, maintain, and implement an effective laboratory safety program. The role of the Safety Officer is key to the overall safety of patients and staff within the facility. 

Position in the organization

He/she reports to the KNCV Lab technical Officer

Principle duties and responsibilities

The Safety Officer is hereby authorized and mandated to carry out the following functions and responsibilities:

Technical Assistance

• Maintains an accident/incident log
• Trains staff in medical laboratory safety and first aid provision
• Ensures availability of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Develops, ensures implementation and maintains the Safety Manual that shall include:
  • Fire safety
  • Electrical safety
  • Chemical safety
  •  Radiation
  • Microbiological hazards
  • Hazardous waste Disposal
• Review the Safety Manual annually to ensure continued suitability
• Organize the training of all staff on use of fire extinguishers
• Organizes and facilitates fire drills
• Conducting safety inspections on an annual basis

 Project and Quality Management

• Works to integrate safety into laboratory operations and promotes safe work practices based on regulatory requirements and best management practice guidance.
• Assists CTRL in performing risk assessments and makes recommendations on appropriate lab safety practices.
• Monitor safety events and reports to management
• Ensures safe and appropriate disposal of laboratory waste on a daily basis.
• Ensuring that all staff members receive education and orientation on facility safety issues
• Compile a list of all hazardous materials, chemicals and reagents used at CTRL, followed by Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS) for each hazardous substance.
• Conducting regular audits in all laboratory departments using an audit check-list appropriate to the needs of the laboratory
• Reporting of all incidents, injuries, accidents and occupational illnesses in accordance with Infection Prevention guide lines and / ISO standard

 Knowledge management

•  Prepares and conducts Lab Safety training including biological, chemical, general, and physical protection in laboratories, hazardous materials shipping, and other customized trainings.
• Prepares, updates, and drafts policies, guidelines, and procedures for biological, chemical, and physical hazards and processes.
• Identifying unsafe practices and potential hazards, suggest and / or reporting them to management for Corrective actions
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Head CTRL.

Knowledge and skills

• A combination of analytical, communication and reasoning skills to accurately and efficiently run a lab is a must.
• Able to read and write policies regarding safety procedures for use in the laboratory.
• Knowledge of standard computer software including Words, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher and computer based laboratory information systems.
• Skills in developing and presenting training programs and preparing manuals and documentation.
• Ability to plan, schedule, organize, and coordinate safety issues at workplace
• Must take initiative, be organized, be able to manage multiple priorities to meet deadline requirements, work independently and work as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal and excellent verbal and written communication skills, with attention to detail, are required. 
• Must possess excellent time management and organizational abilities. 

 Qualification

• Degree in Medical Laboratory Science plus two years post qualifying experience.
• Registered with Tanzania Health Laboratory Practitioners Council
• Training in Medical Laboratory Safety
• Basic First Aid training will be an added advantage
• Computer Literacy (Microsoft packages)
• Fluent in written and spoken language (English and Swahili)

Country: 

Tanzania

Duty station: 

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Organisation: 

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

Application

Your application (with curriculum vitae, motivation letter, 3 professional references) should be sent before 4th of May 2015 to:

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, PO Box 146, 2501 CC The Hague, the Netherlands to the attention of: Mr. Albert Masambaji. E-mail:recruitTanzania@kncvtbc.org under name of reference number and position. For further information on KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, please see www.kncvtbc.org.

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled.