The following competencies are essential to an STLS.

Competency Description/ activities pertaining to the said competency  Assessment of competency
Conduct laboratory tests for TB
  • Perform laboratory tests like AFB smear microscopy (ZN, FM) and NAAT (CBNAAT/ TruNAAT) as per NTEP guidelines
  • Receive the sample in Ni-kshay/LIMS
  • Record the test results in Ni-kshay/ LIMS
  1. Direct observation of STLS performing the tests
  2. Verify at DTC regarding error rates of STLS' during RBRC process/Panel Testing.
Conduct On Site Evaluation (OSE) for Quality Assurance in TB laboratories
  • Plan & conduct On site Evaluation (OSE) visits for Quality Assurance in all TDCs
  • Document the details of OSE and provide action-oriented feedback
  • Advocate at various levels to ensure that the actions are taken as per the feedback provided
1. Review OSE reports & actions taken against the recommendations
2. Interview LT to understand STLS' ability in performing OSE
Manage supply chain of lab consumables in TU.
  • Monitor and identify health facilities with laboratory consumable stock nearing expiry and assist respective lab technicians to raise refill request
  • Review indent requests from labs, take stock of available stock, and (forecasted requirements from other indenting units) follow the First Expiry First Out (FEFO) principle while stocking and issuing consumable stocks, updating the relevant records (physical).
  • Review forecast estimates of supplies permitted for local procurement
  • Coordinate with DTC store pharmacist for issuance of relevant consumable stock as per request
1. Interview STLS' to check the current practices
2. Review the stock register, intend register, issue register
3. Interview LT's regarding stock outs
Prepare chemical reagents for AFB staining
  • Prepare batches of laboratory chemical reagents (5% Phenol, etc.)
  • Prepare QC slides
  • Record batch wise and expiry wise quantities in stock register
  • Update receipts/ issues of respective stocks on stock register
1. Direct observation of stain preparation
2. Direct observation at various laboratories regarding practices regarding chemical reagents
Conduct Random Blinded Random Rechecking (RBRC) activity
  • Collect RBRC sample slides from respective TB detection centers
  • Read the given slides (blinded and from another TB Unit/ STLS) and fill Annexure C.
  • Assist DTO/ MO-DTC in verification and finalization of RBRC final report.
  • Investigate errors and submit reports
  • Do Umpire reading of discordance slide when designated as Umpire
1. Check RBRC reports (annexures B,C,D) and errors investigation reports
2. Interview with STSL to understand the current practices
3. Interview with LTs to check STLS's ability in conducting RBRC
 
Conduct the trainings for LTs 
  • Contribute in training needs assessment/ planning of respective training calendar at district level for LTs
  • Train LT's based on the curriculum provided by NTEP
1. Check Training Management Information System, training plan and training reports
2. Interview with LTs to check STLS' ability in training
Establish sample collection and transportation system in respective areas
  • Map various TB testing technologies in respective health facilities
  • Identify specimen collection centers based on need
  • Identify transportation mechanism 
  • Train the team to collect, package in triple layer and transport samples
  • Monitor and assure quality of the specimen collection & transportation system
1.Interview with STLS to understand the current practices
2.Review the plan for specimen collection & transportation
3.Observe current practices in the geography
Periodically update the Health Facility registration in respective geographical territory
  • Update Ni-kshay profile section of all health facilities classified as laboratories in allocated geographical territory (services, GIS location, contact details, names, bank details, etc.)
  • Add/ register new laboratory facility on Ni-kshay
1. Review health facility status in Ni-kshay
Plan and conduct Active TB case Finding (ACF) campaigns in respective geographies
  • Perform mapping of vulnerable populations/ individuals
  • Identify and train pool of community volunteers, ASHAs, on active TB case finding campaign
  • Prepare team wise daily micro-plan/ calendar of ACF activities including plan for door-to-door visits, sample collection and transportation to linked TB laboratories
  • Monitor the process and provide supportive supervision to ensure quality of services and prevent leaks in cascade of care
  • Coordinate for reporting the data on Ni-Kshay on ACF modules
1. Review Ni-kshay ACF data, review micro-plans and ACF documents
 
Reporting and Monitoring of Laboratory performance under the geography 
  • Monitor performance and quality of testing at TDCs under the assigned geography
  • Reporting monthly lab indicators for NAAT and TDCs
  • Support the DTO and MO-TC for taking necessary actions to maintain and improve laboratory performance
  1. Check ability to access Ni-kshay records and calculate laboratory performance indicators
    Check previously reported Monthly indicators for NAAT and TDC
  2. Discuss with DTO in ability of STLS to monitor lab performance and suggest action points