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, BCCDC performs general laboratory procedures and clerical functions such as accessioning specimens, preparing specimens for testing, preparing culture media and stock solutions, data entry, receiving and relaying phone messages, producing labels, and sorting and distributing mail.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Receives incoming specimens and requisitions and checks for accuracy and completeness of information such a personal health number, name, date of birth and tests required, assigns laboratory numbers, and assembles into work batches for testing.  Contacts clients for missing information and makes necessary corrections.

2.    Prepares specimens for testing by performing duties such as staining slides, performing concentration procedures, choosing appropriate primary culture media, inoculating to various media, and placing in incubators in accordance with established 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, dispensing media, and sterilizing by filtration or autoclaving.

4.    Monitors supplies and equipment, takes inventories, consults with users, identifies requirements, prepares order requisitions for signature, and maintains related stock control records.   Liaises with supervisor regarding problems with inventory and related systems.

5.    Receives and checks orders, verifies accuracy of invoices, stocks shelves, checks stored media/chemicals/reagents for proper storage and dating, and distributes supplies.  Contacts suppliers to obtain information and to resolve discrepancies.

6.    Performs administrative support duties such as producing labels, inputting data into computer programs, maintaining patient and specimen information, receiving and relaying phone messages, providing direction to clients and visitors, completing forms, compiling information and statistics, packaging items for shipping, and sorting and distributing mail.


7.    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.  

8.    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.

9.    Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•    Completion of 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 operate keyboard, perform data entry, use word processing and email
•    Ability to type 25 wpm
•    Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others
•    Ability to operate related equipment
•    Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position