Health, Public Health & Safety
Public Health Laboratory Systems
Laboratory networks, biosafety and specimen management for public health.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Laboratory roles in public health and surveillance |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Specimen collection, packaging and transport |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Biosafety, biosecurity and waste |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Quality management and result reporting |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Laboratory networks and outbreak testing |
Module breakdown
- 1
Laboratory roles in public health and surveillance
Weeks 1–2Build a shared working vocabulary for laboratory roles in public health and surveillance and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind laboratory roles in public health and surveillance
- Step-by-step methods and templates for laboratory roles in public health and surveillance
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in laboratory roles in public health and surveillance, and how to avoid them
- Applying laboratory roles in public health and surveillance in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying laboratory roles in public health and surveillance to a local scenario.
- 2
Specimen collection, packaging and transport
Weeks 3–4Work through the methods and tools used for specimen collection, packaging and transport in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for specimen collection, packaging and transport
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in specimen collection, packaging and transport, and how to avoid them
- Applying specimen collection, packaging and transport in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to specimen collection, packaging and transport.
- 3
Biosafety, biosecurity and waste
Weeks 5–6Practise biosafety, biosecurity and waste on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in biosafety, biosecurity and waste, and how to avoid them
- Applying biosafety, biosecurity and waste in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your biosafety, biosecurity and waste work
Assessed work: Group simulation using biosafety, biosecurity and waste under time pressure.
- 4
Quality management and result reporting
Weeks 7–8Turn quality management and result reporting into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying quality management and result reporting in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your quality management and result reporting work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind quality management and result reporting
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use quality management and result reporting in your role.
- 5
Laboratory networks and outbreak testing
Weeks 9–12Review, quality-check and improve your own laboratory networks and outbreak testing work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your laboratory networks and outbreak testing work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind laboratory networks and outbreak testing
- Step-by-step methods and templates for laboratory networks and outbreak testing
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering laboratory networks and outbreak testing.
Who this course is for
- • Practitioners and volunteers already working in, or moving into, this area of work.
- • Health workers, facility staff and community health volunteers.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Specimen handling and referral workflow exercise.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Handle and transport specimens safely
- Apply laboratory biosafety practice
- Support quality and reporting systems
Practical component
Specimen handling and referral workflow exercise.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Public Health Laboratory Systems?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.