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 Supervising Scientist, you will play a key role in providing day to day supervision, reviewing full blood counts including, validation, blood film review and escalation of blood films for registrar review. The morphology senior scientist is responsible for complex testing including haemoglobin electrophoresis and training programs for staff in the morphology area of the laboratories at Canberra and North Canberra Hospitals.

There is a requirement to work out of hours including on-call, occasional nights, weekends and public holidays.

This position is an opportunity to be part of a large team with several specialist areas and room for personal development and career opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

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

1. Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the morphology section of the Haematology Laboratory providing leadership in strategic planning and optimal operational management. Be responsible for  training in morphology, reviewing blood films and escalating film reviews to  registrars and haematologists, and overseeing and reviewing haemoglobin  electrophoresis.
2. As directed by the Laboratory Manager,  Supervising Scientist and in conjunction with the HP3 Analysers, plan,  allocate and co-ordinate the work of the haematology laboratory, prepare  rosters, maintain laboratory manuals, develop and implement training programs.
3. Participate in the work of the laboratory,  particularly in the performance of the more complex film reviews, monitoring  of the haematology analysers, troubleshooting analyser’s and manage the  ordering of reagents and consumables.
4. Formulate and implement operational policies  and procedures for the laboratory on technical matters, service delivery and  safety issues, ensuring consistency and conformity with ACT Pathology’s  overall policies and accreditation requirements. An understanding and  commitment to continuous quality improvement and a customer focus.
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.
6. Advise clinicians on the provision and interpretation of tests where required.
7. 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:

• 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

• Experience in the day-day operations in Haematology.
• Experience of the quality requirements of a laboratory.
• 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 morphology preferred.

Desirable

• Experience in the management of day-to-day operations in Haematology.
• 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:

• Undergo a 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.

1. Demonstrated management experience in a diagnostic pathology laboratory, with an ability to plan, allocate, co-ordinate and lead staff in the work of the morphology section.
2. Demonstrated scientific knowledge of and recent experience in blood film morphology, haemoglobin electrophoresis studies with demonstrated experience in haematology analysers and other automated platforms including maintenance, trouble shooting and quality control procedures.
3. Knowledge of quality assurance, current standards, regulations and guidelines against which NATA/RCPA and NPAAC accreditation and information systems, as applied to haematology laboratories.
4. Demonstrated ability to train staff, provide leadership, contribute and communicate as a team player with proven commitment to your own personal 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.