Position overview

ACT Pathology is a division of the Canberra Hospital and Health Service offering a diagnostic Pathology service to the ACT and surrounding region.

The laboratory operates 24 hours, seven days a week, offering a wide range of testing procedures over two campuses. The main laboratory is located at the Canberra Hospital and branch laboratory is located at the North Canberra Hospital.

Under broad direction of the Chief Scientist Chemical Pathology and Immunopathology, the successful applicant will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Chemical Pathology laboratories at The Canberra Hospital and play a key role in supervision of the North Canberra Hospital laboratory. This will include training and development of staff, management of resources, evaluation and implementation of new diagnostic platforms, overseeing NATA RCPA technical requirements, KPI monitoring, quality control monitoring, maintaining manuals, supervision of the branch laboratory and other duties as directed.

There is a requirement to work out of routine hours, on-call, occasional nights, weekends, public holidays and work at the North Canberra Hospital Laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following:

1. Co-ordinate the day-to-day laboratory operations of the Chemical Pathology laboratory including, but not limited to supervision of staff, rostering and allocation and co-ordination of workload of the laboratory, and oversee the ICT requirements of the laboratory
2. Maintain and improve the Chemical Pathology quality management system, including internal and external quality assurance programs, development and review of key performance indicators, formulate and implement operational policies and procedures for the laboratory on technical matters, ensuring consistency and conformity with ACT Pathology’s overall policies, to ensure compliance with NATA and health service accreditation requirements.
3. Be responsible for developing and implement training programs for technical, scientific staff and registrars, ensuring competencies are achieved and regularly reviewed
4. Be committed to continuing education and developing the Immunopathology team and encouraging research activities.
5. Provide support to the Chief Scientist Chemical Pathology & Immunopathology for Human Resource, Work health and Safety, Risk Management policies and procurement, and work collaboratively with the Supervising Scientist, Immunopathology.
6. Critically evaluate current developments in diagnostic testing related to Chemical Pathology. Contribute to procurement processes, and new assay and technology evaluations, verification and implementation
7. Participate, as appropriate in laboratory testing, particularly in the provision of technical guidance and expertise in the more complex investigations and/or technologies within the laboratory and to external stakeholders.
8. 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 accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet the needs of those using the service.
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to liaise with a diverse range of people including staff across all levels, company representatives and users of the service.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• A high level of emotional intelligence.

Qualifications

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in Medical Laboratory Science or other relevant science related field.

Desirable

• Relevant Post Graduate qualification.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working at a Senior Scientist level within a Diagnostic laboratory.
• Have an understanding of National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements.

Desirable

• Experience as a senior scientist in Chemical Pathology
• Well-developed leadership skills with an emphasis on training and education.
• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of drive.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to liaise with a diverse range of clients.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate and promote change with the ability to lead teams.
• 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.

• Proven high level technical knowledge, skills and expertise in Chemical Pathology, including experience in procurement, validation/verification and implementation of new equipment and/or assays.
• Proven ability to supervise and manage a team and communicate to a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, accreditation and professional standards including Quality Management Systems, NPAAC requirements and NATA RCPA accreditation.
• Demonstrated ability in the training and competency assessment of staff, and promotion of educational and research activities to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays’ behaviours 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.