Position overview

ACT Pathology is a division of the Canberra Health Services with laboratories located at both the Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital operating 24 hours, 7 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 Haematology laboratory is a tertiary facility performing complex investigations in the areas of Haematology, Transfusion, Haemostasis, Immunophenotyping and Bone Marrow Transplant.

Under broad direction from the Haematology Chief Scientist, you will be responsible for the provision of the department’s Immunophenotyping services. This includes day to day supervision, instrument trouble shooting, KPI monitoring, investigation of difficult and complex cases, quality control monitoring, maintaining manuals and training programs for staff in the Immunophenotyping area. The Immunophenotyping section of the laboratory performs flow cytometry in application to the diagnostic investigation of malignant and non-malignant haematological disorders as well as immunological disorders. Other assays performed by this section includes foeto-maternal haemorrhage quantitation, lymphocyte subsets and stem cell enumeration in application to autologous peripheral blood stem cell and bone marrow transplant procedures. The role also requires a current working knowledge of haematology, morphology and continuing accreditation requirements.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Coordinate, monitor and evaluate workload and workflows within the Immunophenotyping section. Responsible for the day-to-day supervision of laboratory procedures and reports. Conduct complex investigations requiring the application of professional knowledge and skills in immunophenotyping.  Coordinate the work of the team.
2. Development, implementation and maintenance of all equipment in the section to comply with NATA ISO 15189 – 2013 accreditation requirements and the relevant NPAAC standards. Maintain up to date knowledge on current practices and developments in Immunophenotyping related scientific expertise.
3. As directed by the Laboratory Manager, assist in the development of new techniques, review existing methods, introduce new or modify existing methods as appropriate for the area.
4. Demonstrate the ability to perform and finalise flow cytometry analysis. Provide specialist expertise, leadership and training to laboratory staff. Participate in quality control procedures and quality assurance programs, updating of Laboratory Manuals to current accreditation standards and assisting in equipment installation and validation.
5. Monitor, review and evaluate quality and performance indicators, conduct and participate in internal audits, maintain records and submit data to management and relevant external authorities. Sign and issue reports as necessary.
6. Liaise with and advise clinical staff on the provision and interpretation of results where required.
7. Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory workplace learning as well as organisation and implementation of clinical governance activities, research programs, health promotion in relevant areas and quality improvement projects.
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.
• 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 three years’ experience working professionally in immunophenotyping preferred.

Desirable

• Experience in the day-day operations in Haematology.
• 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 and must be addressed in your application:

1. Proven sound scientific knowledge and understanding of methodology used in clinical immunophenotyping, including expertise in monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry technology as applied to the diagnosis of haematological and immunological disorders, including development of new methods
2. Demonstrated recent experience in more complex investigations in clinical immunophenotyping as applied to bone marrow, peripheral blood, tissues and body fluids, including the use and maintenance of diagnostic laboratory instrumentation, application of techniques, use of analysis software, and quality control procedures. A good knowledge of blood film morphology is essential.
3. Knowledge of Quality Assurance, current Standards, Regulations and Guidelines against which NATA/RCPA and NPAAC accreditation and information systems are assessed, as applied to Immunophenotyping, stem cell harvest estimations and clinical laboratories.
4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team, liaise appropriately with a high level of professionalism with medical specialists, associated hospital units, general medical and nursing staff. Consistently display leadership and organisational skills of a high standard combined with the ability to adapt to and manage change, organise and facilitate projects, including demonstrated commitment to continuing education, personal development and ability to research current literature and present at local and national meetings.
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.