HIV Diagnostic Assistants (10 Positions) at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)

Background

Founded in 1987, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 2 million people in 47 countries. In Malawi, AHF is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health to strengthen access to quality of HlV/AlDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Sexually Transmitted infections (STl) treatment. The organization provides cutting edge treatment and medical care in some hard-to-reach health facilities located across five districts of Lilongwe, Dedza, Ntcheu, Nsanje and Chikwawa, with plans to expand services to Nkhotakota district in 2025.

FY 2025 expansion also includes the opening of a wellness centre clinic that will be implemented at Biwi health centre in Lilongwe. The wellness clinic will provide Reproductive Health Services,
focusing on sexually transmitted Infections and cervical cancer. The Wellness Clinic project will have an operations research component.

Position Title: HIV Diagnostic Assistants (10 positions)

Report to: Program Prevention Officer

Duty Stations : Lilongwe (3) – Chilinde, Chavala & Ndaula HCs

Nkhotakota (5) – Luwaladzi, Kapiri, Kasitu, Mwansambo & Bua HCs

Chikwawa (1) – Mfera Health Centre

Nsanje (1) – Sorgin Health Center

Roles and Responsibilities

The position is responsible for promoting and carrying out HIV Testing Services at facility level as well as in the surrounding communities; scaling up Provider-Initiated Testing and Care (PITC) with special emphasis on Scaling up ICT and facilitating linkage of those who test HIV positive for treatment care and support services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform rapid HIV tests in the HIV department and PITC while prioritizing Index Testing (ICT)
• Conduct demonstration and distribution of HIVSTK.
• Collect DBS samples for VL, DNA-PCR
• Offer Index testing services to all newly diagnosed and previously HIV positive clients
• Elicitation of contacts 1:3 ratio for active / passive index testing, follow-up, and HIV status ascertainment
• of contacts, including HIV testing, active referral for HIV infected contacts for care and treatment services and prevention services for clients who test HIV negative
• Ensure that 95% of all index contacts are tested, and that 20% of total general tests are tested through index testing
• Ensure that all HIV positive clients are linked, and data sent for entry and updated in the web portal
• Ensure proper & complete documentation & recording of HIV test results in the registers.
• Follow nationally approved clinical guidelines, protocols and evidence-based practices when discharging the duties
• Ensure referral systems and mechanisms for clients are in place and functional

Education and Experience

• Certified HIV Diagnostic Assistant, Holder of Malawi School Leaving Certificate (M.S.C.E), Minimum of 1year in HIV prevention, counselling, and testing experience with special focus on ICT.
• Those with Index Case Testing training will have an added advantage
• Those with Motorcycle driving license will have an added advantage.

Method Of Application

Interested applicants should send their application letters together with a detailed CV with three traceable referees and copies of certificates to the following email address [email protected]
Applicants are advised to include the name of their preferred duty station in the email subject line when sending applications.

Closing date and time for receiving applications is 5:00 pm of 31st January, 2025.

Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.