Position overview
The laboratory operates 24 hours, seven days a week, offering a wide range of testing procedures over two campuses. The main laboratory is located at the Canberra Hospital and branch laboratory is located at the North Canberra Hospital.
Under supervision, the successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring day to day activities of the North Canberra Laboratory are efficiently run.
Key Responsibilities
Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following:
- Conduct procedures and investigations requiring the application of professional knowledge and skills in the disciplines of Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Coagulation and/or Transfusion. Minimal duties in the disciplines of Microbiology and Molecular Pathology will also be required.
- Prepare specimens, reagents, standards, controls, and apparatus and maintain instruments as required.
- Finalise routine reports and take part in the application of approved quality control procedures as required.
- Supervise and assist in the training of junior staff as required.
- Have an understanding and commitment to own personal development and continuous quality improvement.
- Have a commitment to rotation through sections of the laboratory as required, and mandatory participation in the out of hours rosters (operations include 24/7 shift rosters). NB: This includes weekends and nights.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.
Competencies
Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following:
- Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
- Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
Qualifications
Essential
- A science degree or equivalent relevant qualifications.
Desirable
- Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
Experience
Essential
- Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months paid work experience, post-qualification, in a diagnostic laboratory.
Desirable
- Experience in the day-day operations in any or all of the following sections: Clinical Chemistry, Haematology or Transfusion.
- Experience of the quality requirements of a laboratory.
- Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.
Prior to commencement
Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:
- Pre-employment National Police Check.
- Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
Important information
All employees are required to:
- Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
- Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
- Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
- Be available for weekend and/or after-hours work.
CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.
What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)
These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.
- Proven sound scientific knowledge and understanding of tests, techniques and procedures in one or more of the following disciplines: Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Coagulation and/or Transfusion.
- Proven knowledge of and recent experience in the performance of Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Coagulation and/or Transfusion testing including the use and maintenance of diagnostic laboratory instrumentation and techniques and quality control procedures.
- Demonstrated ability and commitment to be a good communicator and contribute positively to the team.
- Demonstrated commitment to own personal development with a potential for future and ongoing development.
- Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays’ behaviours consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.
Work environment description
The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.
| Administrative | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Telephone use | Occasionally |
| General computer use | Frequently |
| Extensive keying/data entry | Frequently |
| Graphical/analytical based | Frequently |
| Sitting at a desk | Frequently |
| Standing for long periods | Frequently |
| Psychosocial demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distressed People e.g. Emergency or grief situations | Never |
| Aggressive & Uncooperative People e.g. drug / alcohol, dementia, mental illness | Never |
| Unpredictable People e.g. Dementia, mental illness, head injuries | Never |
| Restraining e.g. involvement in physical containment of clients/consumers | Never |
| Exposure to Distressing Situations e.g. Child abuse, viewing dead / mutilated bodies; verbal abuse; domestic violence; suicide | Never |
| Physical demands | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Distance walking (large buildings or inter-building transit) | Occasionally |
| Working outdoors | Never |
| Manual handling | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Lifting 0 - 9kg | Occasionally |
| Lifting 10 - 15kg | Never |
| Lifting 16kg+ | Never |
| Climbing | Never |
| Running | Never |
| Reaching | Occasionally |
| Kneeling | Occasionally |
| Foot and leg movement | Frequently |
| Hand, arm and grasping movements | Occasionally |
| Bending/squatting | Occasionally |
| Bend/Lean Forward from Waist/Trunk twisting | Occasionally |
| Push/pull | Occasionally |
| Sequential repetitive movements in a short amount of time | Occasionally |
| Travel | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Frequent travel – multiple work sites | Occasionally |
| Frequent travel – driving | Occasionally |
| Specific hazards | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Working at heights | Never |
| Exposure to extreme temperatures | Never |
| Operation of heavy machinery e.g. forklift | Never |
| Confined spaces | Never |
| Excessive noise | Never |
| Low lighting | Never |
| Handling of dangerous goods/equipment e.g. gases; liquids; biological. | Frequently |
| Slippery or uneven surfaces | Never |
Directorate: Canberra Health Services
Division: ACT Pathology
Business Unit: North Canberra Hospital (NCH) Laboratory
Position number: P29246
Position title: Laboratory Scientist
Classification: Health Professional Level 2
Location: North Canberra Hospital, Bruce ACT
Reporting relationships:
Direct Manager: NCH Laboratory Supervisor
Manager +1: NCH Laboratory Manager
Canberra Health Services (CHS) is focussed on the delivery of high quality, effective, person-centred care. We provide acute, sub-acute, primary and community‐based health services, to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding regions. More information can be found on the CHS website.
Our Vision: creating exceptional health care together
Our Role: to be a health service that is trusted by our community
Our Values: Reliable, Progressive, Respectful and Kind