BREAKTHROUGH Program

POSITION: Medical laboratory technologist – (1) post

LOCATION: Nairobi

Reporting to the program coordinator.

Job Purpose

The Medical Laboratory Technologist will oversee high-quality specimen processing across all testing phases, ensuring adherence to protocols, biosafety standards, and accurate documentation to support reliable clinical and research outcomes.

Responsibilities and Requirements

• Ensure timely, adequate and accurate distribution of specimen collection kits from the central laboratory to field research teams.
• Continuously liaise with field researchers to ensure collected specimens are correctly packaged and stored at study facilities.
• Liaise with courier personnel to ensure the timely delivery of collected specimens to the central laboratory.
• Receive, verify, and log clinical specimens from field research teams, ensuring proper labeling and sample integrity.
• Prepare and process specimens for molecular analysis in accordance with study protocols and biosafety standards.
• Perform molecular diagnostics accurately and efficiently on received samples.
• Accurately and promptly upload test results to the designated mHealth digital platform to support real-time data capture, transmission and reporting.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, including sample tracking, test performance logs, and mHealth results upload.
• Conduct internal quality control procedures and participate in external quality assurance schemes to ensure test reliability.
• Ensure proper storage, disposal, or referral of specimens according to ethical and regulatory guidelines at the central laboratory.
• Maintain stock levels of reagents and consumables, and report supply needs to the laboratory supervisor or project coordinator.
• Collaborate with field and clinical teams to resolve sample-related discrepancies or data inconsistencies.
• Participate in periodic refresher training, audits, and SOP reviews to uphold quality and compliance standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and documentation for laboratory accreditation or study reporting.
• Perform any other duty assigned by the supervisor or the coordinator.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills Required

• Must have a Diploma or BSc in Biomedical Sciences from an accredited institution.
• Must have at least 2 years’ experience working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist.
• Must have at least 1 year experience working in a referral or research laboratory.
• Must have experience in medical laboratory molecular techniques. Experience working with Roche Cobas platforms will be an added advantage.
• Must be trained in Human Subjects protection /Good Clinical Practicevalid for the next 48 months of the date of this advert
• Must have excellent computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills: Must be able to communicate to the study team efficiently.
• Team player with ability to work closely with other study staff at the site.
• Flexibility in the job location and start period.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.

• Ensure timely, adequate and accurate distribution of specimen collection kits from the central laboratory to field research teams.
• Continuously liaise with field researchers to ensure collected specimens are correctly packaged and stored at study facilities.
• Liaise with courier personnel to ensure the timely delivery of collected specimens to the central laboratory.
• Receive, verify, and log clinical specimens from field research teams, ensuring proper labeling and sample integrity.
• Prepare and process specimens for molecular analysis in accordance with study protocols and biosafety standards.
• Perform molecular diagnostics accurately and efficiently on received samples.
• Accurately and promptly upload test results to the designated mHealth digital platform to support real-time data capture, transmission and reporting.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, including sample tracking, test performance logs, and mHealth results upload.
• Conduct internal quality control procedures and participate in external quality assurance schemes to ensure test reliability.
• Ensure proper storage, disposal, or referral of specimens according to ethical and regulatory guidelines at the central laboratory.
• Maintain stock levels of reagents and consumables, and report supply needs to the laboratory supervisor or project coordinator.
• Collaborate with field and clinical teams to resolve sample-related discrepancies or data inconsistencies.
• Participate in periodic refresher training, audits, and SOP reviews to uphold quality and compliance standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and documentation for laboratory accreditation or study reporting.
• Perform any other duty assigned by the supervisor or the coordinator.

• Excellent computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills: Must be able to communicate to the study team efficiently.
• Team player with ability to work closely with other study staff at the site.
• Flexibility in the job location and start period.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.

• Must have a Diploma or BSc in Biomedical Sciences from an accredited institution.
• Must have at least 2 years’ experience working as a Medical Laboratory Technologist.
• Must have at least 1 year experience working in a referral or research laboratory.
• Must have experience in medical laboratory molecular techniques. Experience working with Roche Cobas platforms will be an added advantage.
• Must be trained in Human Subjects protection /Good Clinical Practicevalid for the next 48 months of the date of this advert