Position overview

ACT Pathology is a division of Canberra Health Services offering a diagnostic pathology service to the ACT and surrounding region. 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 the branch laboratory is located at the Calvary Hospital.

Department of Immunopathology and Infectious Immunoassay comprises the areas of Infectious Immunoassay, Autoimmune Serology, and Immunochemistry. Services provided include serological testings of viral, bacterial, and parasitological diseases, autoantibody detection of Immunological diseases, allergy testing and special serum protein analysis. A wide range of methodologies including indirect immunofluorescence, ELISA, Chemiluminescent immunoassay, electrophoresis, immunofixation and isoelectric focusing are utilised. Instrumentation includes the Abbott Alinity C and I analysers, BioMerieux Vidas, DiaSorin LiaisonXL, Dynex DS2 EIA analyser, Phadia 250, Helena SPIFE 3000, Binding Site Optilite, Werfen BioFlash, Euroimmun EuroBlot one, AbacuxDx DSRie and Image Navigator System.

The laboratory operates Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm at The Canberra Hospital to provide diagnostic testings for both in-patient and out-patient of The Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital.

Under supervision, the successful applicant will be required to perform instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, monitor Quality Control programs, and process patient samples for all areas in Immunoassay Laboratory at The Canberra Hospital.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Under limited direction of the Senior Scientists and/or Chief Scientist you will perform analysis for patient samples in the laboratory. You will:

1. Conduct procedures and investigations requiring the application of professional knowledge and skills in the discipline of Autoimmune serology, Infectious Immunoassay, and Immunochemistry.
2. Prepare specimens, reagents, standards, controls, and maintain instruments as required.
3. Ability to finalise routine reports and take part in the application of approved quality control procedures as required.
4. Supervise and assist in the training of junior staff as required.
5. An understanding and commitment to own personal development and continuous quality improvement.
6. Commitment to rotation through different sections of the laboratory and out-of-hour duties as required.
7. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

To be successful in this position, it is expected that you will have the following attributes:

• Independently manage workload management, under general supervision.
• Critical and self-reflection, including the ability to learn from situations and problems.
• Good organisation skills and high level of motivation.

Qualifications

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• A Science Degree or equivalent relevant qualifications.
• The successful applicant may need to be for weekend and after-hours work.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of one years’ experience working professionally in a diagnostic laboratory.

Desirable

• 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.
• 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.

1. Proven sound scientific knowledge and understanding of tests, techniques and procedures in one or more of the following disciplines: Autoimmune serology, Infectious Immunoassay and/or Immunochemistry.
2. Proven knowledge of and recent experience in the performance of Autoimmune serology, Infectious Immunoassay and/or Immunochemistry testing including the use and maintenance of diagnostic laboratory instrumentation and techniques and quality control procedures.
3. Demonstrated ability and commitment to be a good communicator and contribute positively to the team.
4. Demonstrated commitment to own personal development with a potential for future and ongoing development.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays’ behaviour 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.