Technical Coordinator, Bacteriology – Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS)

Technical Coordinator, Bacteriology

Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services

Vancouver, BC

Are you ready to make a difference? The Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS) is a cohesive, interrelated laboratory system that supports equity and access, and ensures patient safety through high quality, well coordinated laboratory services.

At our core, we aim to cultivate vibrant communities where everyone can achieve optimal health and well-being-right where they live, work, learn, and play.

PLMS is a provincial integrator and a strategic solutions-based organization that leverages partnerships with health organizations and the ministry to improve patient care. PLMS continues to lead a collaborative effort to achieve the vision of one system of clinical laboratory and pathology service delivery, with a commitment to equity, quality, innovation, and adaptability.

What you’ll do

• Act as a technical resource by providing technical guidance to staff within the designated discipline or area of expertise using established standards and methodologies. Assist the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead in the development of; standardized policies, standards and procedures in support of practice goals and objectives. Assist in implementing and communicating planned technical changes to staff and providing the appropriate feedback to the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead as required. Involve the Team Lead or Technical Practice Lead in resolving problems and removing barriers.
• Provide technical guidance and advice through methods such as demonstrating procedures and work techniques to staff, assisting with facilitating resolutions to technical issues, and monitoring technical activities to ensure area standards are met and safety procedures are followed. Communicate unresolved work issues to Team Lead or Technical Practice Lead as appropriate for escalation. Act as a resource person for troubleshooting problems with instrumentation and methodology.
• Assist with the development, implementation and evaluation of the discipline specific Quality Program and related activities, and assist in monitoring KPI’s. Monitor internal and external quality control and other quality indicators, make corrections as appropriate, and prepares quality indicator reports. Communicate technical quality issues to the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead, participate in the investigation of critical incidents as required and ensures that the Site Supervisor or Team Lead is kept informed of all quality and safety issues. Implement DAP standards and recommendations and ensure staff compliance. Assist in the investigation of complaints from health care providers and patients. Assist Site Supervisor and Team Lead to ensure the site/area meets safety standards. Comply with safety responsibilities as outlined in the WorkSafeBC Regulation and Lower Mainland Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Safety Manual.
• Participate in the development, coordination and implementation of staff and students orientation and training programs. Assist the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead and Site Supervisor with coordination of training activities and performance within designated area, identify training requirements, develop tools for training and competency and perform the necessary audits to ensure competency. Demonstrate procedures and work techniques as required. Provide input on technical performance issues and refers them to the Site Supervisor.
• Participate in the evaluation, selection and implementation of new instrumentation and methodology, as required. Inform the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead of the equipment needs for the site/area and provide data such as test volumes and maintenance documents as required. Assist in the implementation of timelines and assign staff to the evaluation and implementation of new equipment. Assist in the evaluation of new methods and equipment, the implementation of new procedures, and schedule the training of designated staff in new equipment, techniques, and procedures as appropriate. Responsible for maintenance and calibration of designated laboratory instruments and informs, Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead and Site Supervisor and department staff of significant instrument failures as required. Assist the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead with the development and maintenance of procedure manuals for assigned area.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Certified by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science or Bachelor of Science in Microbiology (or related biological science) or an Advanced Registered certificate plus a minimum of three (3) years’ recent, related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. A valid BC driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for business related purposes.

Skills & Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge and recent related experience in laboratory discipline
• Comprehensive knowledge of the standards of practice and guidelines for Medical Laboratory Technologists established by the CSMLS and/or other relevant national professional associations
• Comprehensive knowledge of method development and evaluation and research processes.
• Comprehensive knowledge of organization policies, procedures, and standards of care, including practice of safe work procedures with discipline equipment
• Knowledge of administrative structure and function of laboratories of varying sizes
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member, leader, teacher, motivator, and facilitator and to coach and deal with others effectively and in a supportive manner
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with co-workers, medical personnel and other health care staff, both one-to-one and in groups
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including 2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (until September 28 th 2025)
Wage: $40.83 – $50.94/hour
Location: 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V5Z 4R4
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 0700-1515/0815-1630/0900-1715/0915-1730
Requisition # 171113E

What we do

Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS) provides laboratory testing at 31 sites across the lower mainland and central coast of BC, including acute care hospital laboratories and specialty laboratories.

PLMS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority ( PHSA ) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and PLMS is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca .

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of August 29 th , 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.