Partners In Health (PIH)
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
Partners in Health (PIH) is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH has programs in Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kazakhstan
and Boston. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world.
PIH began working in Malawi in 2007, where today we support the Ministry of Health (MOH) to serve a catchment area of 165,000 through 12 health centers and two hospitals in partnership with our sister organizations.
Partners in Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) has its headquarters in Neno District with operations across the country.
We therefore seek to recruit suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the following positions:
Position: Biomedical Engineer
Reports to: Operations Director
Commitment: Full Time (Monday-Friday)
Working Hours: Regular Office Hours (40Hrs/Week)
Location: Neno Boma
Position Overview
The Biomedical Engineer is a key member of the Operations Department working closely with Operations Director, Infrastructure Manager, the clinical service division and other relevant APZU and MoH staff.
The position is responsible for maintaining safe and healthy working environment by conducting incoming inspection of new equipment, installation, corrective, and preventive maintenance safety tests, recommending, and complying with procedures, training, and guiding medical and healthcare personnel and complying with codes. S/he will perform performance assurance (PA) inspections, scheduled maintenance, electrical safety inspections (ESI), and operation verification procedures (OVP) on complex and intricate biomedical equipment. S/he will repair, install, and calibrate complex and intricate biomedical equipment, inform Operations Director and Infrastructure Manager of the
status of repairs, scheduled inspections, unusual equipment situations, and any concerns. They will work with, direct, and document the activities of sub-contractors, vendors, and outside service technicians to ensure proper service delivery. They will manage service level agreements and monitor work performed by outside contractors for equipment under
service agreements to ensure requirements are met and results are documented properly. They will maintain biomedical expertise through on-going training, mentorship and education. They will oversee all facets of biomedical equipment in order to ensure uninterrupted clinical care at PIH/APZU supported facilities and will also regularly interface with PIH cross-site Biomedical team.
Responsibilities and Duties
Systems Building & Strengthening
- Build systems around equipment tracking & inventory, preventative maintenance scheduling, historical equipment trends
Training & Capacity Building
- Demonstrate and explain correct use of equipment to clinical teams
- Develop and lead equipment-specific training programs for MoH and PIH/APZU technicians
- Work with biomedical team to build capacity on:
- Troubleshooting and critical thinking
- Equipment maintenance prioritization
- Work planning and scheduling
- Maintenance activities and knowledge and practice
- Documentation and maintenance tracking
- Travel to PSA plant sites and provide mentorship and training to PSA plant operators and technicians on PSA operation, PSA maintenance, oxygen safety, oxygen cylinders, and oxygen pipeline system maintenance.
Equipment & Inventory Management
- Using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS):
- Plan, monitor, report, and optimize biomed maintenance activities
- Track work orders, maintain assets, and schedule maintenance.
- Manage inventory of spare parts based on preventative maintenance
schedules - Generate and manage list of strategic spares for various equipment
- Work with local and international PIH Procurement Team to identify
and order spare parts
Preventative Maintenance
- Develop system and schedule around continuous preventative maintenance of hospital biomedical equipment including but not limited to; x-ray machine, autoclaves, medical waste incinerators, oxygen concentrators, oxygen production plants, etc.
- Lead implementation and utilization of computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
- Engage external contractors for Service Level Agreements for preventative maintenance of equipment and hold contractor accountable to their contract deliverables
- Work with external partners on maintenance, repair and training activities for oxygen concentrators and other medical devices at multiple facilities
- Lead development of lists of spare parts for all equipment both for preventative maintenance and corrective maintenance
- Conduct biomedical equipment repairs, preventative maintenance, and calibration, primarily on bedside oxygen concentrators
- Assist in the design and rollout of equipment distribution plans
Troubleshooting/Reactive Maintenance
- Interface with clinical and hospital operations team to understand potential equipment issues and gather information
- Utilize operation and maintenance manuals for troubleshooting of various equipment
- When an issue is not able to be solved or properly identified, liaise with outside vendors and manufacturer representatives for troubleshooting of various equipment
Programme Management
- Supervise and lead the work of the Biomedical section including setting priorities for the unit, developing and managing work plans and budgets and ensuring efficiency, quality and timeliness of all Biomedical services.
- Provide support and guidance to senior management and other staff on critical Biomedical questions and projects i.e. providing professional input into the establishment and maintenance of critical biomedical spaces, equipment, supplies and systems.
- Work with departmental leadership and PIH cross-site teams in developing and implementing well thought through Biomedical strategies and plans for the unit. Ensure the section is occupied by staff members who have adequate skillsets and competencies to effectively deliver on their scope of works.
- Manage and direct the activities of Biomedical department, which includes planning and coordinating projects from start to finish; organizing schedules of work, costings, budgets, data collection and reporting.
- Promote and maintain health and safety, including site inspections whenever required to ensure safety rules are being followed
- Monitor program staff performance through analyzing successful completion of planned work and provide mentorship and relevant support for capacity building
- Manage relationships and contracts with technical partners and consultants
Budget Management
- Fit work and maintenance activities within yearly and/or grant budget, prioritizing activities when needed
- Work with Operations and Procurement teams to develop yearly budget for all activities
- Review monthly budget projections with Operations Director
Required Qualifications and Experience
Technical Competencies
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering with at least 4 to 8 years working experience and at least 5+ years relevant working experience
- Experience working in low-resource settings in a biomedical capacity
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook
- Hands on experience with troubleshooting and repair of medical devices, including portable oxygen concentrators
- Experience developing and/or implementing training or educational programs
Managerial Competencies
- Experience in project management
- Demonstrated experience in direct team supervision
- Experience managing and supervising contractors and service level agreements
- Experience leading a team of technicians to complete complicated servicing and maintenance tasks
- Experience with budget management,
- Experience with M&E process and reporting
Behavioral Competencies
- Committed to learning
- Able to communicate well (written and verbal) with outside vendors and technical teams
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Able to work effectively in a team and meet deadlines
Benefits & Remuneration
An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidates commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Method Of Application
Qualified and interested persons should apply to the address below, enclosing their cover letter; copies of relevant certificates and curriculum vitae indicating three names of traceable referees with valid telephone numbers and email addresses not later than Friday, 26th May, 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
The Director of Human Resources and Administration
Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU)
P.O. Box 56
NENO
Or
P.O. Box 1774
BLANTYRE
Or
Email: apzuhr@pih.org
NB: Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is is an equal opportunity employer, so, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, tribe, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment.
Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is committed to safeguarding staff, children and communities with whom we work. We are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. Therefore, any offer of employment is conditional upon
the successful completion of applicable background checks.
The Organisation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to make a payment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact vgondwe@pih.org and speakup@pih.org.