Dr Mudassar Altaf leads a mycobacteriology team of seven within the wider microbiology department at New Zealand’s national reference lab in Auckland. The team specialises in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) infections that subsequently contributes to treatment of the disease by providing susceptibility testing data to clinicians, for domestic and imported cases.
Keen to grow as a leader, the doctor enrolled in the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) Leadership and Management, through work-based training provider Careerforce. “I have always been very ambitious to go to the highest level, according to my ability,” says Mudassar, “Always learning new skills and motivating my staff to learn more.”
Dr Mudassar Altaf graduates with Leadership Diploma
The 20-month leadership programme is designed for new and experienced leaders and managers wishing to expand their leadership and management toolkit within their own work-based context. The learning is self-directed, with support from a Careerforce leadership and management coach.
“We work under tremendous pressure…… but we are always working entirely for the patient”
Mudassar and his team are responsible for maintaining compliance with TB standards, ensuring the safety of both the staff and the environment.
“We work under tremendous pressure, and need to comply with legal, international standards and other organisational requirements, but we are always working entirely for the patient,” says Mudassar.
TB is an airborne infection primarily affecting the lungs and spreads through the air. In New Zealand there are about 300 new cases diagnosed nationally each year. To safely work with TB, he and his team use PC-3 (Physical Containment Level 3) laboratory, a controlled negative-pressure environment that ensures the highest biosafety standards to protect workers and environment safety.
His role also involves ensuring that all work is done in full compliance with the regulations, handling strict audits and meeting deadlines. He is also involved in international collaborations and research to improve TB diagnostic stewardship.
The Auckland hospital TB laboratory receives patient samples from hospitals across New Zealand and processes them according to strict international regulatory standards. The facility is the only one in New Zealand regarded as mycobacteria reference laboratory and equipped to handle such organisms at this level.
“I really want to be seen as a leader who works with people who motivates people, but who also sees their strengths”
Though highly qualified with many years of technical experience, Mudassar was motivated to improve his leadership skills and soft skills. With a team of individuals from diverse backgrounds, each with varying technical skills and qualifications, he recognises the importance of cultural sensitivity and teamwork.
“I really want to be seen as a leader who works with people who motivates people, but who also sees their strengths,” says Mudassar.
When he began the Diploma, adjusting to the new learning routine was tough, admits Mudassar. “I couldn’t give it as much time as I wanted. I always want to give it my best.”
Now having completed the programme, he says he has learnt so many things from the journey.
One assessment asked him to provide a deeper understanding of both internal and external factors that influence the business. “When you’re working in one scope, you are actually very prone to focus only on your own aspect within the facility.
“But, outside this room there is a huge organisation, and outside this organisation, there is a parliament, government, natural disaster elements, and political elements that can all influence the business. I had never realised how critical it was in so many aspects. Afterwards I was able to pick up the internal and external factors to apply them to our BAU (business as usual) policies.”
Another stand out for Mudassar was the use of SMART goals – a framework for setting objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. “Because I am involved very actively in procedures internationally and developing new procedures throughout the year, I am engaged directly in developing new goals,” says Mudassar.
“I set up the goals and made sure to go back and review them, checking whether the system was actually working. I thought I understood this work concept pretty well to ensure continuous system improvements,” says Mudassar.
“When you come back next year and review those goals, you have to apply this technique back to your goals and monitor success – so I think that was quite a good learning.”
“His feedback helped me go back and provide the additional evidence needed”
Mudassar thanked many people from the Careerforce team for supporting him. This includes his Assessor; John Kenny who helped him pick up so many learnings.
“In mycobacteriology, there was a lot of content around compliance – something John doesn’t deal with every day,” acknowledges Mudassar. “But he quickly spotted the gaps and pinpointed exactly what was missing – and he was right. His feedback helped me go back and provide the additional evidence needed.”
With the new learnings from the Diploma, he hopes to continue to lead his team through the ongoing challenges and continue to deliver excellence in microbiology, particularly in the field of TB.
For more information about completing the NZ Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management) Level 5, contact Careerforce.
Susan Tattersall