Laboratory Technician

Lindii Peace Foundation (LPF) is seeking a qualified, competent and detail-oriented Laboratory Technician to support laboratory services and diagnostic investigations within its health programme. The Laboratory Technician will be responsible for conducting routine laboratory investigations, collecting and processing specimens, maintaining laboratory equipment, managing reagents and supplies, and ensuring the accurate documentation and reporting of laboratory results. The post holder will work closely with medical doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and other healthcare personnel to support timely diagnosis, clinical decision-making and quality patient care. The successful candidate will ensure that laboratory activities are conducted in accordance with approved clinical protocols, infection prevention and control standards, laboratory safety procedures and applicable professional regulations. This position requires strong technical competence, attention to detail, professional integrity and a commitment to patient confidentiality, quality assurance and safe laboratory practice in a humanitarian healthcare setting.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Investigations and Diagnostic Services: Conduct routine laboratory tests and diagnostic investigations within the scope of professional training, approved protocols and available laboratory capacity. Receive, identify, label and process patient specimens accurately to ensure traceability and prevent sample mix-ups. Perform approved laboratory investigations, including routine haematology, urinalysis, stool examination, malaria testing and other available diagnostic procedures as applicable to the facility. Prepare specimens and reagents for testing in accordance with established laboratory procedures. Operate laboratory equipment and instruments safely and correctly when conducting assigned investigations. Review test results for completeness, consistency and possible technical errors before forwarding them through the appropriate reporting process. Promptly communicate critical or abnormal findings to the authorized clinician in accordance with established protocols. Maintain accurate laboratory registers, test records and patient results documentation. Ensure that laboratory results are reported within appropriate turnaround times to support clinical decision-making. Refer tests that cannot be performed at the facility to an approved referral laboratory in accordance with established procedures. Specimen Collection, Handling and Processing: Collect or assist with the collection of blood and other clinical specimens when authorized and appropriately trained. Verify patient identification and ensure that specimen labels correspond accurately with the relevant laboratory request forms. Explain specimen collection procedures to patients in a respectful and understandable manner. Ensure that specimens are collected, handled, transported and stored under appropriate conditions to preserve sample integrity. Reject or report unsuitable, insufficient, improperly labelled or compromised specimens in accordance with laboratory procedures. Maintain proper specimen tracking and documentation from receipt through testing, storage or disposal. Ensure that specimens are handled using appropriate personal protective equipment and infection prevention measures. Dispose of specimens and related materials safely in accordance with biomedical waste management procedures. Quality Assurance and Quality Control: Implement routine internal quality control procedures for laboratory tests and equipment. Ensure that laboratory investigations are performed according to approved standard operating procedures and applicable quality standards. Monitor the accuracy, reliability and consistency of laboratory results and promptly report suspected errors or quality concerns. Participate in proficiency testing, external quality assessment and other quality assurance activities where available. Maintain quality control records, equipment logs, reagent records and other required documentation. Identify errors, deviations and gaps in laboratory processes and recommend corrective actions to the appropriate supervisor. Ensure that reagents, test kits and laboratory consumables are used within their validity periods and under the required storage conditions. Support the review and implementation of laboratory procedures to improve accuracy, efficiency and patient safety. Laboratory Equipment and Maintenance: Operate laboratory equipment in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and approved operating procedures. Conduct routine equipment checks before use and ensure that instruments are clean, functional and properly maintained. Maintain equipment usage logs, maintenance records and calibration documentation where applicable. Report equipment breakdowns, malfunctions and other technical issues promptly to the designated supervisor. Ensure that equipment requiring calibration, servicing or repair is addressed through approved maintenance arrangements. Maintain appropriate storage and handling conditions for laboratory instruments, reagents and diagnostic materials. Ensure that laboratory benches, work surfaces and equipment are cleaned and disinfected according to established procedures. Prevent unauthorized use of laboratory equipment and promote responsible handling of organizational property. Reagents, Supplies and Inventory Management: Monitor laboratory stock levels, including reagents, test kits, specimen containers, personal protective equipment and other consumables. Maintain accurate inventory records showing quantities received, issued, used, remaining and expired. Monitor expiry dates and storage conditions of reagents, test kits and other laboratory supplies. Apply appropriate