The Medical Laboratory Practices and Management Course is intended to:
To contribute to improved health through competency based training of Laboratory supervisors/managers in public health laboratory systems.
Objectives
By the end of the course, graduates of the Laboratory Practices and Management Course will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the value of diagnostic tests in relation to public health issues and disease management.
- Apply knowledge and skills in developing laboratory management systems to improve the quality of care in their institutions, including support to malaria, TB and ART roll-out programmes at primary (district) levels of health care.
- Select and apply practical and feasible solutions to problems in implementing laboratory management systems at primary (district) levels of health care.
- Develop appropriate supervisory mechanisms to ensure all essential laboratory tests are conducted to accepted standards.
- Demonstrate an understanding and utilisation of quality assurance procedures and quality monitoring to improve laboratory performance.
- Provide guidance and direction to relevant health personnel in the management and use of laboratory data for decision-making.
- Analyse and quantify data and information on disease surveillance and outbreaks to enhance decision-making.
Target Group
Participants should have basic training in Medical Laboratory Technology to at least Diploma Level with at least 2 years post-training experience, including involvement in laboratory management and the technical aspects of essential laboratory testing.
Course Organisation
The following is an outline of the modules covered:
Module 1: Introduction to Health Facility Management and Standards of Laboratory Practice
Module 2: Laboratory Infrastructure and Resources
Module 3: Quality Laboratory Management Systems
Module 4: Laboratory Safety
Module 5: Laboratory Commodity Management
Module 6: Laboratory Management Information Systems
Module 7: Systematic Approach to Specimen Management and Processes
Module 8: Systematic Approach to Laboratory Processes
Module 9: Support Supervision
Course Structure
The training course involves a minimum 270 hours and a maximum of 570 hours of course work and is conducted in Three Phases:
Phase One: This is a two month pre-training period equivalent to 80 hours of course work. In this phase, pre-training course tasks and exercises are sent in a CD-ROM to each participant to carry out a general assessment and examine various aspects of the laboratory services in their own institutions, and make a report. Will be conducted between June 6, 2011 – July 29, 2011
Phase Two: This is a two week residential training period equivalent to 70 hours of course work. The purpose of the residential training is to equip the participants with appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to undertake quality management of diagnostic practices and procedures, and to adequately address diagnostic errors and improve the overall delivery of health care services in their institutions. Will be conducted between August 16 – August 27, 2011
Phase Three: This is a three months work-based training period equivalent to 120 Hours of course work. This is work-based training conducted at the place of work, designed to enable the participants to practice the various management and technical issues learnt during the course. Participants are expected to implement the Action Plans developed during Phase Two, and make a report. Will be conducted between September 6 – November 26, 2011
Fees
The total course fee is: US$ 1995 The fee covers tuition, books, course materials, field trips, stationery, photocopies, participants’ AMREF pass, accommodation, food, local travel, and living allowance within Nairobi.
Course Administration
The course is conducted by AMREF and the Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN).
For further details about the course, please contact amref.clinical@amref.org or kenya.lab@amref.org.
