Technical Coordinator

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’s Agencies/Divisions/Services, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
The Technical Coordinator is responsible to assist in providing technical leadership and expertise in the designated discipline or area of expertise. Acts as a technical resource for designated practice; monitors the quality of technical work performed to ensure standards are met and safety procedures are followed. Participates in the development, coordination and implementation of staff and student orientation and training programs. Provides input into performance management of team members, and provides technical training and coaching to laboratory staff. Assist with workplace solutions and the implementation of new; equipment, techniques, and procedures at assigned and other designated sites.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Acts as a technical resource by providing technical guidance to staff within the designated discipline or area of expertise using established standards and methodologies. Assists the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead in the development of; standardized policies, standards and procedures in support of practice goals and objectives. Assists in implementing and communicating planned technical changes to staff and providing the appropriate feedback to the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead as required. Involves the Team Lead or Technical Practice Lead in resolving problems and removing barriers.
2. Provides 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. Communicates unresolved work issues to Team Lead or Technical Practice Lead as appropriate for escalation. Acts as a resource person for troubleshooting problems with instrumentation and methodology.
3. Assists with the development, implementation and evaluation of the discipline specific Quality Program and related activities, and assists in monitoring KPI’s. Monitors internal and external quality control and other quality indicators, makes corrections as appropriate, and prepares quality indicator reports. Communicates technical quality issues to the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead, participates 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. Implements DAP standards and recommendations and ensures staff compliance. Assists 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. Complies with safety responsibilities as outlined in the WorkSafeBC Regulation and Lower Mainland Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Safety Manual.
4. Participates in the development, coordination and implementation of staff and students orientation and training programs. Assists 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. Demonstrates procedures and work techniques as required. Provides input on technical performance issues and refers them to the Site Supervisor.
5. Participates in the evaluation, selection and implementation of new instrumentation and methodology, as required. Informs the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead of the equipment needs for the site/area and provides data such as test volumes and maintenance documents as required. Assists in the implementation of timelines and assigns staff to the evaluation and implementation of new equipment. Assists in the evaluation of new methods and equipment, the implementation of new procedures, and schedules 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. Assists the Technical Practice Lead or Team Lead with the development and maintenance of procedure manuals for assigned area.
6. Assists the Team Lead or the Technical Practice Lead with implementation, maintenance, and upgrading of new Laboratory Information Systems (LIS). Participates in the maintenance of the Laboratory Information System as required, assists with LIS training and responds to specific user requirements. Identifies need for changes and assists in identifying areas for efficiency improvements, communicates requirements as appropriate. Participates in the coordination of downtime procedures and insures staff competency of LIS. Reports LIS failure issues to Site Supervisor or Technical Practice Lead.
7. Ensures safety procedures are followed by performing duties such as providing staff with opportunities to participate in the laboratory safety team, communicating safety issues and providing safety related information as it is provided from others including the laboratory safety awareness team, occupational health and safety staff and established regulatory bodies. Ensures required staff training is completed.
8. Assist in the implementation of practice related training and orientation in collaboration with the Team Lead or Technical Practice Lead. Reviews training requirements with staff and students. Ensures student performance evaluations are completed and facilitates the completion of competency assessment tools.
9. Maintains awareness of relevant advances and changes in current trends regarding instrumentation, methodology and technical knowledge and expertise. Maintains competency on appropriate benches by regularly performing routine and/or complex tests in areas of the laboratory following established methods and guidelines and utilizing automated instruments or manual techniques. Validates tests performed by monitoring performance and checking results for probable outcomes.
10. Responsible for maintaining appropriate levels of inventory and approves orders of reagents, supplies and sundries in accordance with LEAN practices and in consultation with the Team Lead or Technical Practice Lead.
11. Participates and/or ensures laboratory representation and participation in program teams, and other internal/external committees such as LEAN projects, as required.
12. Travels throughout the lower mainland, as assigned, to provide onsite support to various Pathology and Laboratory Medicine sites.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
Certified by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. Bachelor of Science degree or an Advanced Registered certificate or completion of a supervisory/management program 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 and Abilities
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with and/or guide others in resolution of conflict issues
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure in a constantly changing environment and to organize and prioritize competing demands
• Demonstrated ability to manage own learning to meet future challenges within the organization
• Demonstrated knowledge of computerized systems relating to the Laboratory and current software applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position
• Ability to operate related equipment
• Ability to travel to designated facilities