Position overview

ACT Pathology is a division of Canberra Health Services with laboratories located at the Canberra and North Canberra Public Hospitals. Pathology provides diagnostic and consultative services to medical specialists and general practitioners and their patients in hospital and in the community.

The Diagnostic Genomics Department is a multidisciplinary laboratory delivering a broad range of services, including conventional cytogenetics, microarray technologies, Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation (FISH), PCR based genetic testing, and Next Generation Sequencing. These services support the investigation of both constitutional and somatic genetic abnormalities.

This position offers the opportunity to join a dynamic and collaborative team, working under the guidance of the Clinical Director and Chief Scientist, to deliver a high-quality Diagnostic Genomics service to the ACT and surrounding regions.

This position may require occasional weekend and after-hours work. Flexible working arrangements (e.g. flex time) apply in line with organisational policy.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Lead the design, validation, implementation, and ongoing management of in‑house bioinformatics pipelines for germline and somatic diagnostic sequencing, ensuring compliance with NATA ISO 15189 and NPAAC standards, under the direction of the Clinical Director and/or Chief Scientist.
2. Develop and maintain bioinformatics tools for variant annotation, interpretation, and classification, incorporating recognised public databases and established annotation platforms.
3. Oversee computational infrastructure and workflows, including data processing, storage, security, and integration with laboratory information management systems for clinical reporting.
4. Maintain current knowledge of best practice and emerging developments in clinical bioinformatics and genomic testing.
5. Provide specialist bioinformatics leadership and training to laboratory staff, including coordinating workflows, resolving technical issues, and supporting high‑quality service delivery and workforce capability.
6. Train, mentor and support staff within the department, contributing to workforce capability and a culture of continuous professional development.
7. Participate in quality management activities, including quality assurance programs, documentation maintenance, monitoring quality and performance indicators, and accurate record‑keeping.
8. Contribute to clinical governance, research activities, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
9. 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.

• Adaptability and flexibility to respond to change and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• High-level analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex information and make evidence-based decisions.
• Effective organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain attention to detail, and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Well-developed computer literacy skills.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including the ability to guide, support and develop staff, foster collaboration, and contribute to a positive team culture.

Qualifications

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

Essential

• A Bioinformatics Degree or equivalent relevant degree.

Desirable

• Relevant Post Graduate qualifications.
• Understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Understanding of National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements for this role.

Experience

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

Essential

• Minimum of 5-year experience working in a diagnostic genomics laboratory/setting.

Desirable

• More than five (5) years of experience working in a diagnostic genomics laboratory/setting.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks.

Please note prior to commencement successful candidates will be required to:

• Undergo a pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

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 the 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. Demonstrated experience designing, validating, and maintaining clinical bioinformatics pipelines for germline and somatic sequencing data across multiple platforms.
2. Demonstrated experience with a range of computational tools to support the annotation, interpretation, and classification of clinically significant variants, including the effective use of established public databases and annotation platforms.
3. Proven ability to implement, validate and optimise bioinformatic methodologies within a diagnostic laboratory environment, ensuring accuracy, reliability and continuous improvement. Including compliance with NPAAC guidelines and NATA ISO 15189 accreditation requirements.
4. Demonstrated leadership and communication skills, including the ability to coordinate laboratory staff, oversee workflows, resolve technical issues, and contribute to staff training, mentoring and capability development.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work health and safety (WHS), and positive patient experience. Displays’ behaviour consistent with CHS 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.