Laboratory Specialists

About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients. MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission. Laboratory Specialists Whether managing a hospital laboratory to screen for tuberculosis or training local staff to test people for sleeping sickness in temporary outdoor clinics, the team often cannot function without the expertise of the biomedical scientist. Responsibilities As a laboratory specialist working with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), you will support existing government health structures (hospitals and clinics) or work within MSF health centers. You are responsible for: laboratory and staff management; implementation of locally hired staff laboratory training programs; ordering and distribution of laboratory supplies; data collection and quality control of laboratory testing. Requirements Commitment to work for a minimum of 9 to 12 month international assignments Degree or diploma in laboratory technology or microbiology with applied medical parasitology, bacteriology, and immunology Previous experience in a low resource setting (priority given to those with experience working in a humanitarian context) Professional experience supervising, managing, or training staff Minimum of two years professional relevant experience Experience with sample-taking (blood, stool, sputum) Knowledge of laboratory testing quality-control methods Ability to work within a diverse team Assets French or Arabic language (B2 or above) Knowledge of epidemiology Familiarity with tropical and/or infectious diseases (especially HIV/AIDS, TB) Experience using laboratory software packages and carrying out surveys Experience working in a hospital setting Medical degree Before you apply As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, it is essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments. Security and Safety Because Doctors Without Borders’ purpose is to bring medical assistance to people in distress, the work may occur in settings of active conflict, or in post-conflict environments, in which there are inherent risks, potential danger and ongoing threats to safety and security. MSF acknowledges that it is impossible to exclude all risks, but it does its utmost as an organization to mitigate and manage these risks through strict and comprehensive security protocols. International staff will be fully informed of the risk associated with a potential assignment before accepting a particular posting. Working for MSF is a deeply personal choice; individuals must determine for themselves the level of risk and the circumstances in which they feel comfortable, based on a full and transparent understanding of the possibilities they may face. Once in the assignment, all MSF staff must strictly observe security rules and regulations; failure to do so may result in dismissal. Terms of Employment MSF…