Principal Medical Laboratory Technologist I

Role Overview

This is a senior laboratory leadership position within a public health laboratory setting, responsible for directing daily technical operations while ensuring compliance with national quality and safety standards. The role is critical for supporting disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, and vector-borne disease control programs through accurate laboratory diagnosis, robust quality management, and strategic planning. You will coordinate a team of laboratory technologists, manage resources, and act as a key link between laboratory services and broader public health initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the full spectrum of laboratory operations, from specimen reception and reagent preparation to the examination, verification, and approval of diagnostic results across multiple disease areas.
• Develop, implement, and enforce laboratory policies, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance programs to maintain accreditation-level performance and patient safety.
• Plan and execute operational research focused on vector-borne, communicable, and non-communicable diseases, translating findings into actionable public health strategies.
• Lead outbreak and epidemic response efforts by coordinating diagnostic testing, liaising with healthcare providers, and ensuring timely and accurate laboratory support during public health emergencies.
• Prepare and manage laboratory budgets, procurement specifications, and annual operational plans, while ensuring the maintenance, calibration, and validation of all laboratory equipment and reagents.
• Direct vector and insecticide resistance monitoring and evaluation activities, including field mapping and surveys to track disease distribution and inform control interventions.
• Supervise the storage, archiving, and retrieval of specimens of public health importance for reference, research, and audit purposes.
• Compile and present periodical technical and management reports, and contribute to the development of the laboratory’s strategic and annual operational plans.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A minimum of three years’ experience serving as a Principal Medical Laboratory Technologist II or in an equivalent senior laboratory technologist role.
• A Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences from an institution recognized by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB).
• A Higher Diploma in a recognized discipline such as Parasitology and Entomology, Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Medical Biochemistry, Blood Transfusion Science, Virology, Bacteriology, Histopathology, Clinical Cytology, Immunology, Mycology, or Epidemiology from a recognized institution.
• Current registration and a valid practicing license from the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB).
• A certificate in Senior Management training lasting at least four weeks from a recognized institution.
• Computer application skills certification from a recognized institution.
• Proven ability to efficiently organize work, manage laboratory teams, and execute medical laboratory functions with minimal supervision.