Location: AAR Hospital, Kiambu Road
Job Type: Contract
Application Deadline: 20/03/2025
Division: Clinical Service
Department: Laboratory
Reports to: Laboratory Manager
Job Purpose: The quality officer is responsible for implementing the quality programs throughout the department. S/He must work with the hospital quality department to understand the impact of the institution’s quality program and implement it in the Laboratory Department. S/He is in charge of ensuring that the results are of the highest quality and create systems to monitor data quality and performance. S/He also confirms that procedures and processes adhere to safety and compliance rules and regulations.
The quality officer will conduct audits in a timely manner, reviewing policies and procedures to find the root cause of any non-conformance. The laboratory quality officer also participates in ensuring that all employees receive proper training, orientation and competency assessment. S/He may also work with the procurement department, to verify that the goods and services meet acceptable laboratory standards.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepare an annual budget plan to run the laboratory quality programs i.e. ISO 15189.
- Advice the laboratory director or designee on quality programs and issues related to it.
- Maintain communication with accrediting and regulatory bodies.
- Ensure laboratory activities comply with ISO 15189:2022
- Ensure continuous training and awareness on ISO 15189:2022 requirements.
- Ensure all policy documents are current and implemented as written
- Ensure that staff are trained and deemed competent with approved and current policy documents.
- Ensure mandatory documents and records including patient material are retained in accordance with approved policy documents
- Ensure effective continuous medical education programs are implemented in each section
- Ensure deficiencies raised by external auditors are closed within the stipulated timelines.
- Incorporate SAFE CARE requirements to the laboratory processes.
- Advice the laboratory director or designee on POCT programs and issues related to it.
- Develop a POCT program in accordance with accrediting and regulatory bodies.
- Support the POCT committee chair in implementing the POCT program
- Implement and continuously monitor the POCT program.
- Ensure POCT equipment are calibrated and QC run as required.
- Ensure performance and documentation of routine and preventative maintenance of POCT equipment.
- Troubleshoots and reports instrument malfunctions to supplier
- Ensure POCT equipment have documented work instructions
- Organize, plan and lead ISO15189 audits in the Laboratory department.
- Support the department in the running of the Departmental Quality Improvement and Patient Safety committee (DQIPS)
- Through the institutions Head of clinical service, develop the annual Department Quality Plan
- Oversee the process of validation and/or performance verification of existing and/or new tests, instruments and methods of equipment, tests and methods in the department.
- Prepare monthly Quality Variance Reports and present to the DQIPS and the laboratory director or designee.
- Ensure process control checks (EQA, IQC) are implemented.
- Ensure pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical aspects of the laboratory comply with approved policies.
- Ensure equipment including reagents and other laboratory supplies are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions or approved policy documents
- Ensure complaints, incidents, and sentinel events are captured, investigated and resolved.
- Perform regular (at least annual) internal audits.
- Plan annual Management Review Meeting, communicate to the staff the outcome of the meeting and make follow-up to ensure that tasks identified in the meeting are addressed.
- Ensure opportunities for improvement are identified and implemented.
- Ensure each section have quality indicators to monitor performance
- Capture complaints, follow-up for closure, communicate with the affected clients.
- Ensure all occurrences are captured, investigated and resolved
- Ensure root cause analysis is done to prevent re-occurrence of occurrences
- Ensure preventive action is implemented to prevent potential occurrences
- Ensure each section participate in quality improvement activities continuously
- Ensure each section set goals and objectives every year and work to achieve them.
- Participating in the Facility Management and Safety (FMS) program
- Implement safety standards and policies with the coordination of laboratory safety committee.
- Monitor the implementation of safety program in the department
- Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the laboratory director or designee.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- BSc or Higher national Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology with 5 years’ work experience.
- Registered by KMLTTB with a valid practicing license. Minimum 3 years’ experience in leading quality management systems in the healthcare industry, specifically medical laboratories.
- Minimum 3 years in quality system maintenance.
- Excellent computer skills (Including, but not limited to: Windows, Office, Visio, Project Manager, and Internet).
- Excellent communication skills.
- Work independently and proactively.
- Good ISO/GCLP, CAP, POCT, Blood Bank and JCIA quality system knowledge.
- Process Management: Experience in basic process management tools and techniques required.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Computer literacy.
- Must maintain confidentiality.
- Have good customer care skill/ experience.
- A good team player.
- Integrity, truthfulness, and capability of using both hands.
- Willingness to train and impart knowledge to staff.
- Willingness to learn and develop in the career path.
Location: AAR Hospital Kiambu road
Application Deadline: 20 March 2025, however shortlisting is to be done on a rolling basis
How to Apply: To send application letter and CV ONLY to [email protected]
Other Specifications: Candidates to indicate expected salary on the application letter
