Laboratory Scientist

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood; Sydney; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ability to purchase additional annual leave

Salary packaging options

14 weeks paid parental leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a mid-senior Laboratory Scientist to oversee scientific processes in Testing Laboratories. The role involves training staff, conducting investigations, and ensuring compliance with procedures. Candidates should have a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and experience in immunohaematology or virology. Strong communication skills and the ability to work in a rotating roster are essential. Benefits include additional annual leave purchase options and salary packaging.

Qualifications

• Min 2 years' experience (preferred in diagnostic or blood screening laboratories).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to train and coach diverse groups.
• Availability for rotating roster Monday to Saturday (7:30 AM to 10:00 PM).

Responsibilities

• Provide training and assessments to enhance capability.
• Lead deviation investigations where procedure failures occur.
• Review and approve routine screening results within agreed timeframes.

Skills

Communication skills

Immunohaematology knowledge

Virology knowledge

Training experience

Education

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

General Science degree

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Laboratory Scientist role at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.

Discover life-giving possibilities. Lifeblood is an organisation focused on life giving donations and life changing outcomes, with a commitment to helping you build a fulfilling career with Lifeblood.

About the role

As a Laboratory Scientist, you’ll oversee the scientific aspects of standard work processes and output results in our Testing Laboratories. You’ll take responsibility for the training schedule within the laboratory, promote continuous education, and conduct annual professional development sessions open to Production staff nationwide.

As the subject matter expert in immunohaematology and/or virology, you’ll collaborate with Testing staff to lead investigations into process deviations and contribute to corrective and preventive actions initiated by the Scientific and Technical Services team. You’ll also provide SME support to projects in Testing and participate in reviewing outcomes from quality assurance programs.

A day in the role will include coaching and assessing, promoting ongoing education, coordinating with Production Supervisors to schedule training, conducting off-track sample investigations, and ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures.

Responsibilities include leading deviation investigations, reviewing and approving routine screening results, conducting start-of-day control checks for Alinity and NEO instruments, manual result release for Alinity-I, investigating potential thrombocytopenia cases, participating in the blood grouping discrepancy incident management team, and reviewing manual blood grouping and NEO panel interpretations.

Responsibilities

• Coaching and assessing: provide training and assessments to enhance capability by sharing knowledge and expertise.
• Promote ongoing education in immunohaematology and/or virology.
• Collaborate with Production Supervisors to schedule training.
• Conduct off-track sample investigations and oversee adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Lead deviation investigations where procedure or process failures occur.
• Review and approve routine screening results within agreed timeframes.
• Conduct start-of-day control checks for Alinity and NEO instruments.
• Perform manual result releases for Alinity-I instruments.
• Investigate potential thrombocytopenia cases through microscopic examination.
• Participate in the blood grouping discrepancy incident management team as an immunohaematology scientist.
• Review outcomes of manual blood grouping and NEO panel interpretation.

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor of Biomedical Science with >2 years’ experience (preferred in diagnostic or blood screening laboratories) OR a general science degree with >5 years’ experience (preferred in blood screening laboratories).
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in immunohaematology or virology.
• Experience providing workplace training to staff members.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to train and coach diverse groups across the business.
• Availability to work across a rotating roster Monday to Saturday (7:30 AM to 10:00 PM).
• Availability to participate in on-call roster – Monday to Sunday.

Benefits and Wellbeing

We prioritise employee well-being and celebrate diversity. Lifeblood is recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index employer and is menopause-friendly. You’ll also have access to:

• Ability to purchase additional annual leave
• Salary packaging options up to $15,900 for living expenses and $2,650 for meals and entertainment
• 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Dedicated employee assistance program (Sonder) available 24/7 via app
• Plus, many more benefits

Is Lifeblood your reason? Apply now

We are a 2025 Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to responding to every applicant. You’ll hear from us after your application has been reviewed. For details or adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact the Lifeblood Talent Acquisition team. This vacancy is managed directly by Lifeblood’s Talent Acquisition team; external recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this occasion.

Employment details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Science
• Industries: Hospitals and Health Care