Medical laboratory and scientific officers
Laboratory-based Roles
Africa is the continent most heavily hit by the global AIDS epidemic, less than one per cent of sexually active people are tested for HIV and AIDS. There a great need to improve general laboratory systems and provide more testing facilities and subsequent treatment to people living with HIV and AIDS. You could be working in countries such as Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania.
Experience Needed
We currently need experienced and highly skilled Biomedical Scientists to carry out lab and diagnostic testing as well as processing samples and interpreting medical results. You’ll also support healthcare staff in analysis techniques and in some cases support pharmacists. You’ll have a degree in biomedical science, microbiology or a related field with at least two years’ laboratory and testing experience in a hospital laboratory. You’ll need excellent organisational, analytical and research skills.
Roles are generally longer term, ranging from one to two years, and we also have occasional short term assignments for up to six months. For short term roles, you will need at least six years' experience in your field and be available to depart within one year.
Support
In return, we'll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training prior to your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights and visas, accommodation and full medical insurance. NHS employees can volunteer with continued membership of the NHS pensions scheme. When you return home, we'll help and support you to resettle, and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.
Example placements
Biomedical Scientist, Blantyre
Malawi
Health Services in Malawi are critically overstretched, a problem exasperated by a severe shortage of health professionals at all levels. Many Malawians have little or no access to healthcare and attempts to treat patients based on comprehensive and reliable laboratory results are marred by a lack of skilled and experienced biomedical scientists. You’ll be working at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to improve laboratory management and provide practical, on-the-job training for laboratory staff to ensure there work is more proficient, effective and sustainable.
What does the role involve?
- Improving laboratory management and facilitating the implementation of a quality management plan
- Supervising and providing practical on-the-job training for laboratory assistants and students from the Malawi College of Medicine
- Implementing new HIV & AIDS and TB testing protocols to improve accuracy to support clinical diagnosis
- Writing, monitoring and evaluating reports for publication in local and national medical journals
- Enhancing key reporting systems for laboratory management and clinical teams.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You’ll be a qualified biomedical scientist with at least 2-3 years’ post-qualification experience. Experience of working in a teaching and training capacity using participatory methods is desirable as is familiarity with clinical research. Ideally you’ll have experience in quality improvement/evaluation and inventory management, as well as knowledge of HIV & AIDS and TB diagnostics. The ability to work effectively in a different working culture and with limited resources, and retain a positive and flexible approach is essential as is a good sense of humour.
And the rest...
The name Malawi means ‘reflected light of bright blaze’, a most apt description of this country whose area is one fifth covered by water. Besides the magnificent Lake, Malawi has five national parks, beautiful scenery and year round sunshine. You’ll be based in lively Blantyre, Malawi’s largest city and main commercial centre on the shire River.
We’ll ask you to commit to 12 - 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.
