Pathology Assistant

Pathology Assistant

VGH Labs

Vancouver, BC

Within the context of a client and family centered care model and in accordance with established vision and values of the organization, under general supervision, performs various morgue duties such as preparing autopsy stations, retrieving cadavers and verifying identification. Under the direction of the Pathologist, assists in the performance of autopsies and organ preservation.

What you’ll do

• Prepares autopsy station by performing duties such as placing appropriate autopsy instruments onto morgue table thereby ensuring that all required instruments are present for autopsy and places supplies such as sponges, gloves and thread in appropriate area.
• Retrieves body from storage area, matches name and pre-assigned autopsy number to logbook to ensure that correct body is being removed for autopsy. Places body on morgue table and unwraps shroud in preparation of evisceration.
• As directed by the Pathologist, eviscerates body and removes organs by performing duties such as making incisions in order to retrieve organs.
• Sews up cadaver as directed by the Pathologist, cleans body with disinfectant, wraps in shroud, ensure identification tags are attached to shroud, and places in cold storage.
• Labels specimens as directed by Pathologist, places in cassette with autopsy numbers, and places in storage for examination by Pathologist.
• Preserves organs such as brains, lungs and spinal cord, as directed by Pathologist, by performing duties such as suspending brain and formalin solution in display case and recording on log sheet to chronicle placement organ.
• As directed by the Coroner’s office, removes such items as teeth, hari and nails as required for toxicology testing, and sends to police once all required documentation is on file.
• Arranges for viewing of bodies for physical identification purposes by placing body in viewing room, escorting family to the viewing room and completing all required documentation.
• Supports pathology students and Residents as required by demonstrating techniques/procedures identified to meet their educational needs and answering student and resident queries. Directs complex questions/queries to supervisor.
• Cleans instruments by placing in disinfectant and cleans various areas of the morgue such as autopsy room, amphitheatre, and halls by washing down various equipment such as basins, body trays, sinks, floors and walls with disinfectant.
• Maintains amphitheatre by placing supplies and instruments such as gloves, cassettes, scalpels, blades and knives onto dissection tables and disposes of waste tissue by placing into garbage container.
• Prepares solutions such as formalin according to predetermined instructions for use in the preservation of organs.
• Ensures that the morgue is secure by performing duties such as locking doors and turning off elevator.
• Books and releases bodies as required by performing duties such as recording demographics, creating deceased files, taking face shots and ensuring all relevant documentation such as fingerprints are located within the file; records all personal effects in file, collects personal effects, places in bag, attaches identification number, and places in locked drawer.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Grade 12, completion of anatomy courses plus one year’s recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing
• Ability to deal effectively with others.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.

Skills & Knowledge

• 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: Regular, Full-Time
Wage: $33.73 / Hour
Location: 855 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 0800-1600 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
Requisition # 174184E

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).

PHSA and PLMS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

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 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 October 28, 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.