Salary Scale: $8,252,216 – $8,458,522 per annum
JOB PURPOSE
Under the general direction of the Director, Laboratory Services and in collaboration with other consultants, the incumbent is responsible to plan, organize and control the technical operations of the Microbiology services (diagnostic bacteriology, media, sanitary bacteriology, tuberculosis, serology, parasitology and molecular microbiology and arboviral testing) of the Ministry of Health & Wellness with islandwide responsibilities. In addition, to provide administrative oversight of the Microbiology Department. The incumbent will also participate as in Infection Control Committee member for public hospitals in Kingston and St. Andrew.
Key responsibility areas
Management/Administrative Responsibilities
- Supervision of the microbiology staff
- Conduct senior staff departmental meetings
- Provide guidance, motivation and direction to subordinates including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. This includes performance evaluation of medical staff.
- Liase with the Director of Laboratory Services and HR Department regarding employment of personnel, leave allotment, allowances etc
- Active participation in the procurement process bringing relevant concerns/challenges to the attention of the Laboratory Director and Ministry of Health & Wellness.
- Prepare the operational plan for the department.
- Review data for submission to inform the annual budget, operational plan, performance indicators and procurement plan for the NPHL.
- In conjunction with Chief Medical Technologists to arbitrate disputes among staff members and refer to the appropriate responsible officer
- In conjunction with Chief Medical Technologists to provide timely comprehensive monthly and annual reports for all sections of the department
- Participate in the technical evaluation phase of the tender process for machinery and reagents for the department
- Participate in consultant, senior staff and management review meetings as directed by the Director of the National Laboratory Services
- Work in conjunction with consultants and other senior staff at NPHL to solve problems, determine protocols and implement procedures for the better functioning of the laboratory
- Encourage, develop and maintain staff training in conjunction with other training bodies, nationally, regionally and internationally
- To work in conjunction with consultants in other disciplines at the NPHL through consultant’s meetings to resolve problems, determine protocols and implement procedures for to optimize functioning of the laboratory services at the NPHL and the peripheral public laboratories island wide.
- Contribute to capacity building plans/programmes/policies
- Contribute to the preparation of the operational and strategic plan for the NPHL and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
- To complete performance evaluations for the staff members
- Represent the department at meetings within and outside of the NPHL and overseas.
- Communicate with partners local and international regarding the department to contribute to development and optimizing testing services in the department and on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness for the specialty area (microbiology and infection prevention and control).
Technical/Professional Responsibilities
- Provide medical leadership for all areas within the Microbiology Department
- Provide microbiology consultations to medical staff and other allied health professionals, internal and external stakeholders.
- Respond to calls from clinicians at healthcare facilities island wide and provide advice regarding patient management, sample collection and transportation and infection prevention and control (IPC).
- Liaise with hospitals on matters related to microbiology services.
- Liaise with medical staff on utilization, quality, accessibility and reliability of laboratory services as it relates to microbiology.
- Attend IPC committee meetings at healthcare facilities.
- Participate in the response to outbreaks and new and emerging pathogens providing guidance with laboratory diagnostics and infection prevention and control measures and participation in training and sensitization sessions.
- Present and training sessions for medical staff in microbiology and infection prevention and control.
- Provide technical contribution in the development of polices and guidelines.
- Member of the MOHW product registration committee and participation in assessment and approval of drugs and other pharmaceuticals for use in Jamaica.
- Contribute to research and development as it relates to microbiology.
- Participate in the review of the specifications for equipment and test methodology and reagents to be employed within units of the department.
Other Responsibilities
Attending meetings outside of the Laboratory which are related to functioning of the department and the microbiology service.
Minimum Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine, and Surgery (MBBS) – A Medical Degree from a WHO approved Medical School
- Registration with the Medical Council of Jamaica
- A Doctor of Medicine Degree in Medical Microbiology
- Minimum of three (3) years experience in clinical microbiology
Applications with résumés are to be submitted no later than December 27, 2023 to:
Senior Director
Human Resource Management & Development
Ministry of Health & Wellness
10A Chelsea Avenue
Kingston 10
The Ministry of Health & Wellness thanks all applicants for their interest; however, please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.