Program / Location Background
The position of Chief Pathologist, Samoa will be based, at the Ministry of Health Clinical Laboratory which is the only clinical diagnostic lab in Samoa. The lab is located at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH) in Apia, with a smaller lab at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTII) in Tuasivi Savaii. Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital is a 200-bed hospital which provides primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in addition to offering a range of specialist medical services, surgery and outpatients clinics. It is a teaching hospital, the only one in Samoa. Sections within the lab include:
Phlebotomy/reception Histology and Cytology is only available at the TTMH. This section has all the equipment for processing of specimens as well as camera installed microscopes. The basic stain of Haematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) and Special Stains of PAS and Giemsa are currently available. The specimens which needed Immunohistochemistry (IHC) stain are referred to New Zealand for the time being while the management is currently in the process to acquire IHC stains and the relevant equipment for it. There are currently 36 technical staff with 1 still on overseas study leave at TTMH, while 5 staff at MTII Hospital lab.
Australia’s Health Security Initiative for the Indo-Pacific
In October 2017, the Minister for Foreign Affairs launched the Indo-Pacific Health Security Initiative to contribute to the avoidance and containment of infectious disease threats with the potential to cause social and economic harms on a national, regional or global scale. The Initiative is funded at $300 million over five years and aims to:
The Initiative is implemented by the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security. Based in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Centre brings together expertise from relevant Australian government agencies on infectious diseases of humans and animals, public health research, and international development. An independent, high level health security scoping team visited Apia, Samoa in March 2018 on behalf of the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (CHS), the area within Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) tasked with implementing the Initiative. The purpose of the visit was to: consult with senior Government of Samoa (GOS) officials and health program managers to: share information about the Initiative; assess Samoa’s health security priorities and its capacity to address them; and identify options for Australian support through potential multicountry and regional activities.
The scoping team noted the lack of a pathologist for Samoa and highlighted the importance of this position to strengthening health security in Samoa. This assignment is aligned with the Aid Investment Plan in Samoa Priority two to progress health and education outcomes by improving the quality of health systems including health information.
The adviser will be required to keep themselves fully up-to-date with their relevant area of practice. Professional or study leave can be negotiated to support appropriate study, postgraduate training activities, relevant CME courses and other appropriate personal development needs. Applicants will be required to have medical malpractice and liability insurance. The Ministry of Health Samoa (MoH) will provide a designated room for the pathologist with desk and computer. The main counterpart will be the pathology senior registrar (pathologist in training); as well as the Deputy Director General - Hospital & Clinical Services, and Manager of the Clinical Laboratory services.
Objectives of Role
The main responsibilities for the Chief Pathologist will be to work within and across the Samoa Ministry of Health Clinical Laboratory, performing or supervising pathology services and building the capacity of local staff in pathology services.
Key Selection Criteria
To learn more about this exciting role, please copy and paste this link:
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How to Apply?
We welcome your interest in this position. Please click the link: https://bit.ly/3pKQioP to apply and submit your application.
The closing date for applications is 11.59pm (AEDT) on Friday 12 November 2021. For any queries regarding this positions please send an email to HSI.Recruitment@cardno.com.au
We thank all applicants however due to anticipated volumes of applications only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
About Cardno
Cardno is a global provider of integrated professional services which enrich the physical and social environment for the communities in which we live and work. Our team of multidisciplinary specialists has more than 70 years’ experience designing, developing and delivering sustainable projects and community advancement programs. Cardno is committed to child protection in all fields. Cardno is an equal opportunity employer.
Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks.
All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.
