Position overview

ACT Pathology is a division of Canberra Health Services with laboratories located at both The Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital operating 24 hours, seven days a week all year round. Pathology provides diagnostic and consultative services to medical specialists and general practitioners and their patients in hospital and in the community.

The Microbiology Department is based at the Canberra Hospital laboratory and provides a broad range of clinical diagnostic microbiology services, including bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology and parasitology. The Department actively promotes diagnostic stewardship and utilizes a range of diagnostic methods to optimize the clinical management of patients and support ACT public health, antimicrobial stewardship and hospital infection prevention and control.

The successful applicant will be working in the Microbiology laboratory based at The Canberra Hospital.

Under direction, they will be required to process patient samples for microbiological examination, run and maintain laboratory instrumentation, read culture plates to distinguish between normal flora and pathogenic organisms, perform bacterial identification, and set up and interpret susceptibility results. The laboratory currently operates an extended-hour service 7 days a week and the successful applicant will be required to participate in the out-of-hour roster.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Participate in procedures and investigations requiring the application of professional knowledge and skills in clinical diagnostic microbiology.
2. Finalize routine reports and take part in the application of approved quality control procedures as required.
3. Rotate through all sections of the microbiology pathology laboratory with participation in shift, after-hours work and out-of-hours rosters as directed.
4. Prepare reagents, standards and controls and maintain instruments and apparatus as required.
5. Advise clinicians on the provision and interpretation of tests where required.
6. Supervise and assist in staff training as required and have a commitment to professional development.
7. Have an understanding and commitment to continuous quality improvement and customer focus.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities 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.
• Strong attention to detail, reliability and punctuality.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders and work as part of a team.

Qualifications

Essential

• A Medical Laboratory Science Degree or equivalent relevant degree.
• Be registered or be eligible for registration with the Australian Council for the Certification of the Medical Laboratory Scientific Workforce (ACCMLSW).

Desirable

• Major in Clinical Microbiology is highly desirable.
• Relevant post graduate qualifications.
• Have an understanding of National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements for this role.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent paid experience, post-qualification, working professionally in a clinical diagnostic microbiology laboratory.

Desirable

• Experience to read culture plates in this setting under minimal supervision.
• Specialist expertise in areas such as Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, Mycology, Information Technology (pertinent to diagnostic microbiology) and/or Molecular Pathology.
• 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 and must be addressed in your application:

1. Proven sound scientific knowledge, demonstrated experience and understanding of techniques and procedures used in clinical microbiology pathology including specimen processing, culture plate reading to distinguish between normal flora and pathogenic organisms, bacterial identification and susceptibility interpretation.
2. Demonstrated understanding of importance of good laboratory practice, quality control procedures and an understanding of National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements.
3. Demonstrated ability to work efficiently as a member of a team and the ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.
4. Demonstrated evidence and commitment to professional development with 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.