Laboratory Technical Assistant

The South East Regional Health Authority, a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with responsibility for the management and delivery of Public Health Services within the parishes of Kingston & St Andrew, St Catherine, and St Thomas invites applications from suitably qualified individuals to fill the position of Laboratory Technical Assistant (HTAC/HT 2).

Job Purpose

The officer will be responsible for activities that will contribute to the achievement of the stated Programme and Regional objectives: the officer will participate in bloodletting, specifically in the collection of blood for HIV testing, labeling of blood collection tubes and other specimen containers, prepare specimen for processing, and provide appropriate patient instructions prior to specialized testing, among other functions.

Scope of work / Background

Jamaica has an estimated prevalence of 1.6% among the general population. Based on modeled estimates and case based surveillance data, it is estimated that 29,000 persons are currently living with HIV in Jamaica. Approximately 84% of the estimated number is aware of their status. This is followed by a large gap in the continuum of care with 43% of those diagnosed on ARVs and 55% of those on treatment being virally suppressed.

The officer will be responsible for activities that will contribute to the achievement of the stated Project and Regional objectives: the officer will participate in bloodletting, specifically in the collection of blood for HIV testing, labelling of blood collection tubes and other specimen containers, among other functions.

Qualification and Experience

• Five CXC Subjects
• Completion of secondary level education
• Diploma or Certificate in Phlebotomy

Must demonstrate

• High level of confidentiality
• The ability to create an enabling environment for all clients accessing care

Responsibilities

• Participates in blood letting specifically in the collection of blood for HIV testing, labeling of blood collection tubes and other specimen containers.
• Check all requisition forms for adequacy of data and supplement where necessary by patient interview.
• Instructs patients prior to the collection of specimen such as 24-hour urine, fasting, 2hr glucose, stool and sputum collection.
• Performs HIV and Syphilis rapid testing on serum and whole blood specimen according to the department’s standard operating procedures.
• Receives, sorts, aliquots, package and stores specimen according to department’s standard operating procedures for transportation to Main Laboratory.
• Prepares specimen for processing, that is, centrifuges citrate, glucose and general chemistry specimens.
• Performs data entry clerk duties, that is, enters patients demography using DISA LAB system and bar coding of specimen.
• Participates in Quality Assurance such as, updating temperature, disinfection, preventative maintenance and inventory logs according to department’s standard operating procedures.
• Participates in communication tasks, such as, answering telephone, dealing with queries from clients and patients.
• Performs any other related tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Required skills and specialized techniques

• Must be able to draw blood.
• Must practise proper infection prevention and control method.

Special conditions associated with job

• May be required to work beyond normal working hours, including weekends.
• Will be working with body fluids.

Reports to

Directly - Chief Medical Technologist

Note

Applications should be emailed to employment@serha.gov.jm or faxed to (876) 926-4019 no later than November 15^th, 2020.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact

Director
Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations
South East Regional Health Authority
The Towers, 2 nd Floor
25 Dominica Drive
Kingston 5

Email: employment@serha.gov.jm

Base Salary: Undisclosed