Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Laboratory Assistant performs general laboratory and clerical procedures related to the production of media, waste management, customer service, data entry, and the receipt, handling, accessioning, preparation and distribution of laboratory specimens.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Prepares specimens for testing in accordance with established procedures by performing duties such as preparing smears, staining and coverslipping slides, centrifugation, aliquoting (subsampling), and loading samples onto specimen racks.

2.    Verifies that specimens meet acceptable identification criteria and verifies specimen type according to established procedures, sorts and assigns laboratory numbers to specimens, in priority according to pre-defined criteria, and applies barcode labels according to established operating procedures.

3.    Prepares culture media and stock solutions by performing duties such as weighing dehydrated media and chemicals, dissolving in water or other solvents, measuring Ph and adjusting as required, and sterilizing by filtration or autoclaving.

4.    Receives incoming specimens and requisitions and checks for accuracy and completeness of information such as personal health number, name, date of birth and tests required.  Contacts physicians or labs for missing information and makes necessary corrections.

5.    Processes test requisitions by entering patient data into computer systems, issues new patient identification number where required and identifies duplicate record problems, obtains or clarifies missing or questionable information, corrects errors and omissions in patient demographic data and enters corrections into computer systems.  Enters test requests into the Laboratory Information System (LIS).

6.    Recycles solvents according to established procedures.

7.    Responds to requests for test results, faxes same, as required.  Forwards requests for test interpretation to Medical Laboratory Technologist in accordance with established procedures.

8.    Receives telephone/fax requests for information and directs requests according to established procedures.

9.    Files and organizes records, such as requisitions, statistical information and work schedules.

10.    Identifies and communicates operational issues and computer/equipment related problems to supervisor.

11.    Organizes, stores, and retrieves specimens under appropriate conditions, documents and ships samples to other laboratories and discards samples according to established procedures.

12.    Prepares, records, and sends specimens and appropriate request forms to outside/referral laboratories and hospitals according to Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) and other regulatory requirements.

13.    Prepares test runs by pulling specimens for worksheet, matching specimens and requisitions and retrieving frozen samples for testing.  

14.    Orders and receives supplies.

15.    Delivers samples and related documentation to and from in-house laboratory sections.

16.    Maintains laboratory equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges autostainers, coverslippers and testing equipment as directed by performing duties such as cleaning, and temperature recording.  Performs maintenance procedures according to established procedures.  Recognizes malfunctions in equipment and reports these to the lead hand or designate.  

17.    Maintains daily cleaning and disinfection of work areas and equipment according to established schedule and procedure by performing duties such as: preparing fresh disinfectant solutions; wiping bench tops and equipment following established procedures; cleaning centrifuges and testing and maintaining the section safety eyewash and shower according to established weekly and monthly procedures. Performs waste management duties as per standard operating procedures.

18.    Keeps workstations well stocked with supplies.  Monitors supplies and advises lead hand or designate when supplies need replenishing and performs related duties such as receiving, recording and storing new shipments of supplies.

19.    Demonstrates work routines to new laboratory personnel, as requested.

20.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•Grade 12, successful completion of a recognized Lab Assistant training program plus one year’s recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

•Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
•Ability to deal with others effectively.
•Ability to organize work.
•Ability to type at 25 wpm.
•Ability to operate related equipment.
•Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee or an employee benefit upon receiving a full time job offer with PHSA**