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Laboratory Specialists

Medical

About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients. 

MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.

Laboratory Specialists

Whether managing a hospital laboratory to screen for tuberculosis or training local staff to test people for sleeping sickness in temporary outdoor clinics, the team often cannot function without the expertise of the biomedical scientist.

Responsibilities

As a laboratory specialist working with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), you will support existing government health structures (hospitals and clinics) or work within MSF health centers. You are responsible for: laboratory and staff management; implementation of locally hired staff laboratory training programs; ordering and distribution of laboratory supplies; data collection and quality control of laboratory testing.

Requirements

  • Commitment to work for a minimum of 9 to 12 month assignments
  • Degree or diploma in laboratory technology or microbiology with applied medical parasitology, bacteriology, and immunology
  • Previous experience in a low resource setting (priority given to those with experience working in a humanitarian context)
  • Professional experience supervising, managing, or training staff
  • Minimum of two years professional relevant experience
  • Experience with sample-taking (blood, stool, sputum)
  • Knowledge of laboratory testing quality-control methods
  • Ability to work within a diverse team

Assets

  • French or Arabic language (B2 or above)
  • Knowledge of epidemiology
  • Familiarity with tropical and/or infectious diseases (especially HIV/AIDS, TB)
  • Experience using laboratory software packages and carrying out surveys
  • Experience working in a hospital setting
  • Medical degree

Before you apply

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, it is essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Security and Safety

Because Doctors Without Borders’ purpose is to bring medical assistance to people in distress, the work may occur in settings of active conflict, or in post-conflict environments, in which there are inherent risks, potential danger and ongoing threats to safety and security. MSF acknowledges that it is impossible to exclude all risks, but it does its utmost as an organization to mitigate and manage these risks through strict and comprehensive security protocols.

International staff will be fully informed of the risk associated with a potential assignment before accepting a particular posting. Working for MSF is a deeply personal choice; individuals must determine for themselves the level of risk and the circumstances in which they feel comfortable, based on a full and transparent understanding of the possibilities they may face. Once in the assignment, all MSF staff must strictly observe security rules and regulations; failure to do so may result in dismissal.

Terms of Employment

MSF staff are employees with a salary and benefits. 

MSF encourages the completion of multiple assignments. There are numerous opportunities for professional advancement within the organization in medical, non-medical, and coordination roles.

Final Thoughts

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, is it essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Despite such challenges, thousands of people have worked with MSF over the years and found their experiences in the field to be deeply rewarding, even life-changing. More than anything else, being an MSF international worker means acting in solidarity with people facing unimaginable medical challenges. Your presence alongside people in times of need sends a profoundly meaningful and human message: “You are not forgotten.”

MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws. We also provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

If you have a disability and require accommodations to use our website for applying for a position, please get in touch with Human Resources at employment.msfusa@newyork.msf.org. We consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.

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