AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
Founded in 1987, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1,900,000 patients in 45 countries. In Malawi, AHF is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to strengthen access to quality treatment for HIV/
AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). AHF Malawi is providing these services in 27 hard-to-reach health facilities in Dedza, Lilongwe, Ntcheu, Chikwawa, and Nsanje Districts.
To accomplish its goals in the nation, AHF Malawi is seeking highly qualified and experienced candidates for the following employment opportunities.
HIV Diagnostic Assistant
Position Title: HIV Diagnostic Assistant
Reports to: Prevention Program Officer
Duty Stations: Kalemba Mission Hospital in Nsanje – Central (1) Masenjere Health Centre in Nsanje – East Bank (1)
Overview of the position
An HIV Diagnostic Assistant is responsible for promoting and carrying out HIV Counselling and Testing at facility level as well as in the surrounding communities; scaling up Provider-Initiated Testing and Care (PITC) at facility level; strengthen index testing efforts, and facilitating linkage of
those who test HIV positive for treatment and other support services.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform rapid HIV tests in the HIV department and priority PITC settings in the health facilities.
- Collect Dried Blood Spots (DBS) samples for early infant diagnosis, viral load monitoring and quality assurance testing and follow up the results for timely delivery.
- Ensure test results are properly recorded and filled accordingly.
- Follow nationally approved clinical guidelines, protocols and evidence-based practices when discharging their duties.
- Ensure infection prevention procedures are observed according to protocols.
- Ensure referral systems and mechanisms for clients are in place and functional.
- Undergo proficiency testing at least every six months to ensure an optimal standard of HTS is achieved.
- Ensure HIV+ and HIV- clients with ongoing risk of HIV acquisition/transmission are linked to prevention services (condoms, STI screening and treatment)
- Provide family testing. Support pediatric case finding and HIV and TB/HIV index case testing.
- Ensure an adequate supply of HTC, EID, viral load and syphilis testing commodities and supplies in the testing room.
- Ensure quality storage and maintenance of HIV Test Kits for product integrity.
- Ensure proper documentation of activities using MoH HTS Tools
- Ensure that all HIV positive Clients are linked, and data sent for entry and updating into the web portal.
- Work hand in hand with clinical staff in ensuring that patients are retained in care.
- Report to comprehensive nurses/medical assistants on HTS progress for the month and anticipated challenges for the next month
- Support HTS data collection for the Health Management Information System (HMIS) and provide monthly HTS reports.
- Report to work on time and ensure Time Sheets are signed by the Facility In-Charge
Qualifications, experience, and other attributes
- Certified HIV Diagnostic Assistant recently trained in the revised 2022 HTS Guidelines.
- Minimum of 1 year HIV/AIDS prevention, counseling, and testing experience
- Those with additional qualification such as Community Development will have an added advantage.
- Fluent in Chichewa and English
- Strong interpersonal skills to engage facility staff and community members.
- Sensitivity to issues surrounding HIV and AIDS.
- Ability to prioritize tasks in a rapidly changing environment.
- Be computer literate.
- Those with additional qualifications such as community development and a motorcycle driving license will have an added advantage.
Method Of Application
Interested candidates should submit their CVs with three traceable referees and cover letters to the following e-mail addresses: [email protected].
Closing time and date for receiving applications is 12:00 noon on 15th March 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Kindly include your preferred duty station (where appropriate) in your application letter.