Laboratory Assistant, Virology - Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS)

Laboratory Assistant, Virology

Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services

Vancouver, BC

Are you ready to make a difference? The Public 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

Receive 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.

Contact clients for missing information and make necessary corrections.

• Prepare 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.
• Prepare 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.
• Monitor supplies and equipment, take inventories, consult with users, identify requirements, prepare order requisitions for signature, and maintain related stock control records.

Liaise with supervisor regarding problems with inventory and related systems.

Receive and check orders, verify accuracy of invoices, stocks shelves, check stored media / chemicals / reagents for proper storage and dating, and distribute supplies.

Contact suppliers to obtain information and to resolve discrepancies.

• Perform 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.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges autostainers, coverslippers and testing equipment as directed by performing duties such as cleaning, and temperature recording.

Perform maintenance procedures according to established procedures. Recognize malfunctions in equipment and reports these to the lead hand or designate.

Maintain 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.

Perform waste management duties as per standard operating procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

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 & Knowledge

• 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
• 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.

What we do

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 () 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 :

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 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-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.