Job Opportunities at National Health Laboratory Services

Key Job Responsibilities 

Service 

• Responsible for management of centre reference laboratories and supervision of laboratory staff in collaboration with the laboratory managers. Contribute to the strategy of the centre as a member of the centre management team. Responsible for implementation of short and longer-term laboratory surveillance and research projects. Support and/or coordinate national stock culture collections. Provide expert advice to all internal and external customers in order to resolve clinical, reference diagnostic and infection outbreak-related queries and concerns in a professional and timely manner and responds to complaints about any aspect of the pathology service output in a professional and timely manner to promote sound customer relations. Provide input into changes and improvements to SOPs. Contribute to the adherence and compliance to quality systems in the centre to comply with SANAS requirements and ensure continuous quality improvement. Comply with the principles of good laboratory practice, full SANAS accreditation requirements, and relevant legislation. Validate new instruments/tests for laboratory or national programmes.

Teaching and Training

• Teach and train pathology staff (Registrars, Scientists, Technologists, Technicians) and other healthcare workers. Work with the team to coordinate teaching modules. Contribute to the departmental CPD-accredited programmes. Be involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Research and Surveillance

• Seek external funding for surveillance and research. Responsible for designing, implementing, and reporting on relevant surveillance programmes at a national and international level in collaboration with centre epidemiologists. Conduct infection outbreak investigations in collaboration with centre epidemiologists and advise on appropriate reference laboratory investigations. Conduct research to contribute to publications and other technical/scientific outputs and towards translation of policy and service. Collaborate with other departments/organizations at a national and international level and represent the NICD on national and international working groups/committees.

VACANCY

Minimum Requirements and Key Competencies

• Medical degree plus FCPath or MMed in microbiology or clinical pathology (essential)
• MSc or PhD in clinical microbiology or a related field (desirable)
• Post-graduate qualification in epidemiology or infection control (desirable)
• Registration with the HPCSA as a pathologist in microbiology or clinical pathology (Independent practice category)
• At least 3 years of experience as a pathologist consultant; at least 1 year of laboratory management experience
• Successfully supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students (BSc-Hons, MSc, MMed, PhD)
• Evidence of peer recognition, such as invitations to national conferences/working groups and to review manuscripts for journals
• An active NRF rating would be an advantage
• Active as a co-investigator/collaborator on research projects
• Familiar with laboratory safety procedures
• Working knowledge in medical conditions, particularly clinical pathological correlation
• Principles of analytical methodology
• Laboratory quality assurance processes
• Method validation, including statistical calculations
• Familiar with the principles of applied research methodology with evidence of at least 3-5 peer-reviewed publications in clinical microbiology over the last 3 years (average 1-2 per year)
• Practical laboratory techniques where relevant
• Computer literacy
• Communication skills
• Presentation skills
• Analytical and diagnosing
• Problem-solving skills.

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Key Job Responsibilities

• Contribute to the management of diagnostic services for viral haemorrhagic fevers, arboviral diseases, and human rabies by overseeing daily laboratory operations; recommend specialized tests/procedures, interpret, authorize, and communicate results.
• Use expertise and specialized knowledge to advise medical professionals on appropriate testing and interpretation of results.
• Apply expertise across a variety of laboratory tests, including molecular detection techniques, sequencing, various serological platforms, and virological testing, including culturing viruses in different systems.
• Contribute to the management of the quality system, including implementing quality assurance procedures, auditing QC results, and undertaking preventive and corrective actions.
• Contribute to the management of SANAS accreditation requirements and support maintenance and expansion of the accreditation schedule.
• Contribute to the management of high and maximum containment laboratory facilities.
• Perform independent and collaborative research, produce complex scientific reports, and manage multiple research projects, including interpretation, techniques, and procedures.
• Develop and implement proposals, protocols, new technologies, and new approaches.
• Publish peer-reviewed articles and participate in scientific forums such as conferences.
• Participate in the development of research grant funding applications and the management of grants.
• Train and formally supervise staff and students at all levels.

Minimum Requirements and Key Competencies

• MSc or equivalent in Medical Science or a relevant field; PhD preferred
• Registration with HPCSA (virology) required
• At least 5 years of experience as a scientist, with at least 1 year of laboratory management experience
• Experience working in high and/or maximum containment laboratories required
• Knowledge of viral haemorrhagic fevers, arboviral disease, and rabies required
• Experience with implementing ISO15189 required
• Proven track record in scientific writing and communication at conferences (≥10 publications with at least 2 as first or last author for research-focused papers, ≥20 total publications with at least 8 as first or last author, ≥10 conference presentations, including at least 2 international conferences)
• Successful supervision/co-supervision of BSc Hons, MSc, MMED, and PhD students (minimum 3 successful graduations and at least 2 currently under supervision/co-supervision)
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) recommended
• Good interpersonal skills recommended
• Analytical thinking with attention to detail recommended
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and independently recommended
• Problem-solving skills recommended
• Ability to work under pressure and manage high work volumes while keeping abreast of academic literature recommended

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A limited number of positions on a 2 year fixed-term contract are available for Intern Medical Scientists (Grade TC1), for the 2024/2025 intake at the below training centres.

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University - (Ref. GAUSMU-1117-001)

• Anatomical Pathology-x2, Chemical Pathologyx2, Haematology-x2, Medical Microbiology-x4, Virology-x2 

University of Cape Town (Ref. WNCUCT-1117-001)

• Anatomical Pathology-x1, Chemical Pathology-x2, Genetic Counselling-x3, Human Genetics-x2, Medical Microbiology-x1, Virology-x1

University of the Free State (Ref. FNWUFS-1117-001)

• +1 Haematology-x2, Human Genetics-x3, Medical Microbiology-x2, Virology-x2

University of KwaZulu-Natal (Ref. KZNUKZN-1117-001)

• Haematology-x2, Virology-x2

University of Pretoria (Ref. GAUUP1117-001)

• Anatomical Pathology-x2, Immunology-x3, Haematology-x2, Medical Microbiology-x1

University of Stellenbosch (Ref. WNCUS-1117-001)

• Anatomical Pathology-x2, Chemical Pathology-x1, Immunology-x1, Haematology x2, Medical Microbiology-x1, Virology-x2

University of the Witwatersrand (Ref. GAUWITS-1117-001)

• Anatomical Pathology-x2, Chemical Pathology-x3, Genetic Counselling-x1, Haematology-x2, Human Genetics-x2, Virology-x2, Immunology-x2; Medical Microbiology-x4

National Institute for Communicable Diseases (Ref. NICD-1117-001)

• Medical Microbiology-x4, Virology-x2

National Institute of Occupational Health (Ref. NIOH-1117-001)

• Anatomical Pathology-x1, Chemical Pathology-x2, Medical Microbiology-x2

During this period, candidates will attain, under supervision, discipline specific knowledge, experience and undergo training to perform diagnostic procedures and medical science research as prescribed in the standard operating procedures in order to qualify for registration as an Independent Medical Biological Scientist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

• The Intern Medical Scientist will receive a stipend depending on qualifications i.e; NQF 8 (R193 583.78); NQF 9 (R243 353.53); NFQ 10 (R294 026.14).

Requirements:

• 4-year BSc degree or Honours degree in a medical/clinical pathology discipline. Only graduates with pathology courses will be shortlisted.
• Interested persons who meet the requirements are invited to complete their details on this link https://forms.office.com/r/WnmTyqZueR and send their concise CV's, ID, Qualification(s) and Academic Transcripts to email address: [email protected]. Enquiries can be directed to the same email address above.

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Key Job Responsibilities

• Verify the suitability of specimens for processing.
• Receive, label, and sort specimens for testing according to SOPs.
• Capture patient information into the system.
• Create shipping lists of samples for distribution to laboratories.
• Administer the distribution of samples to ensure smooth channelling of specimens to various departments.
• Keep specimen request forms for audit purposes.
• Manage stock control and procurement in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Minimum Requirements and Key Competencies

• Grade 12
• One (1) year of experience in an HIV Serology/Molecular Laboratory
• Knowledge of Laboratory Information System
• General administration knowledge
• Computer skills
• Communication skills (verbal, written, presentation)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Attention to detail

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Key Job Responsibilities

• Assist the research team in identifying patients who meet the surveillance or research study case definition.
• Collect or assist the Surveillance Officer with clinical data collection from patients meeting the surveillance or research study criteria.
• Complete structured interviews and/or collect samples from patients meeting the case definition for surveillance or research projects.
• Obtain or assist the Surveillance Officer to obtain informed consent from case patients or their next of kin.
• Receive and courier specimens.
• Trace results of routine investigations, such as imaging and laboratory tests.
• Assist in the preparation of presentations, report writing, and other project-related topics.
• Help maintain stock and inventories of surveillance documents.
• Complete surveillance-related documentation, including logs and case investigation forms.
• Prepare patient and site study files, including photocopying.
• Aid in the induction and training of new project staff.
• Collaborate effectively with surveillance, search, and hospital-based staff.
• Attend programme-related meetings to review study performance with the team.
• Monitor patient progress and outcomes both in and out of the hospital to ensure accurate data collection.
• File surveillance and research records on-site after data collection, according to protocol.
• Actively participate in and contribute to surveillance and research activities, including special research studies within the surveillance programme.
• Perform tasks related to respiratory illness surveillance and research as assigned by the line manager.
• Support study-related activities, such as photocopying, ethics applications, and data entry from questionnaires as requested by senior study staff.
• Follow established policies, procedures, objectives, and quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection control measures for compliance.
• Provide administrative support for all surveillance activities.

Minimum Requirements and Key Competencies

• Grade 12
• 6 months of work experience
• Experience with molecular-based tests
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Basic numeracy skills
• Listening skills
• Customer care skills
• Computer skills (Word and Excel)