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. Under the guidance of the Clinical Director and Chief Scientist, the successful applicant will assist in the day-to-day management of the laboratory.

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. Coordinate, monitor, and oversee NGS and genomic workflows, including day‑to‑day supervision of laboratory processes and clinical reporting, under the direction of the Clinical Director and/or Chief Scientist.
2. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of best practice and emerging developments in genomic testing and related scientific advances.
3. Lead the development, implementation, and review of genomic methodologies, ensuring compliance with NATA ISO 15189 accreditation requirements and NPAAC standards.
4. Provide specialist scientific leadership and training to laboratory staff, including coordinating workflows, resolving technical issues, and supporting high‑quality service delivery and workforce capability.
5. Train, mentor and support staff within the department, contributing to workforce capability and a culture of continuous professional development.
6. Participate in quality management activities, including quality assurance programs, document maintenance, performance monitoring, internal audits, and accurate record‑keeping.
7. Contribute to clinical governance, research activities, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate with the level of classification that support the effective 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 Medical Laboratory Science 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.

Desirable

• More than five (5) years of experience working in a diagnostic genomics laboratory.
• 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.

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 extensive experience in end-to-end genomic data analysis, including variant curation, classification, and clinical reporting for germline and/or somatic variants.
2. Demonstrated experience with genomic technologies and laboratory processes, including next generation sequencing (NGS) and associated molecular techniques.
3. Proven ability to implement, validate and optimise genomic 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.