Laboratory Assistant

Canadian Blood Services; San Juan de Terranova; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A national health organization in St. John's, Newfoundland, is looking for a part-time Laboratory Assistant to support their Distribution/Production team. Key responsibilities include preparing and processing blood components, maintaining documentation, and assisting in lab operations. Candidates should have completed secondary education and have relevant lab experience. This role offers flexible shifts and various employee benefits. Join us to make a difference in saving lives.

Benefits

20 vacation days

Premiums according to agreement

Employee discounts

Wellness program

Qualifications

• 1+ year laboratory work experience or equivalent education.
• Experience in food processing, pharmaceutical or biologics manufacturing is an asset.
• Ability to follow instructions, prepare accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, produce, and modify blood components.
• Assist in the lab with sorting specimens and recording results.
• Receive and dispatch blood components to hospitals.
• Perform routine maintenance of equipment for safety and quality.

Skills

Laboratory functions knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Completion of secondary education

Post-secondary background in science

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a part-time Laboratory Assistant to join our dynamic Distribution/Production team in St. John's, Newfoundland.

The Distribution/Production team is responsible for supporting Canadian Blood Services by performing duties in manufacturing, releasing, and distributing blood products including the processing of whole blood collections to the final products.

Responsibilities

• Your up-to-date resume.
• We recommend you save a copy of the job posting for reference throughout the recruitment process.

• Drawing on your knowledge and experience in laboratory functions, you will prepare, produce and/or modify all blood components, and maintain proper storage of whole blood and blood components.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills will be used to assist in the lab by performing duties such as sorting banks, opening specimens, writing worksheets, and recording results, under the close supervision of a Supervisor.
• Utilizing your knowledge and understanding of blood components distribution, you will receive orders, select, issue, dispatch and may be assigned to pack blood components and fractionation products to hospitals according to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Your attention to detail will be utilized in preparing available inventory, issue and outdate counts of blood and components on a daily basis.
• Using your excellent organizational skills, you will be involved in preparing donor samples for testing, preparing individual plasma units of various types, completing paperwork and preparing shipment of units to the fractionation plant.
• Applying your ability to be proactive and ensure excellence, you will perform routine preventative maintenance of equipment and work areas to ensure safety and quality of blood products.
• Drawing on your knowledge and experience in laboratory functions, you will receive, assess and produce whole blood, apheresis platelets and plasma into requested blood components.
• Utilizing your attention to detail, you will record temperatures of refrigerators, freezers, incubators, and environmental conditions in the laboratory.
• Using your excellent organizational skills, you will be involved in the maintenance of appropriate documentation and records related to inventory in compliance with Canadian Blood Services operational procedures and work instructions.
• Applying your ability to be proactive and ensure excellence, you will perform routine maintenance of equipment and work areas to ensure safety and quality of blood products.

Desired education and skills

• Completion of secondary education and minimum 1 year laboratory work experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A post-secondary background in science is preferred.
• Technical skills including MS Office, and the ability to learn systems and programs, as required.
• Must have good oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to follow instructions precisely, prepare and maintain accurate records, and carry out repetitive tasks.
• Experience in food processing, pharmaceutical or biologics manufacturing is a strong asset.

What we offer you

• 20 vacation days, prorated based on hours worked.
• Premiums paid according to the collective agreement.
• Employee discounts, wellness program, professional resources.

What you can expect

• Shifts/hours will vary. You must be flexible to accommodate assigned shifts which are based on operational needs. Shifts include days, evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays. May be required to be on call.
• Physical requirements for the role include the ability to lift weight up to 10 kg (22 lbs).

This position must meet the Trustworthiness and Reliability Verification requirements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and is subject to criminal records and employment verification checks.

Diversity and inclusion play a vital role in ensuring health equity for patients across Canada. We are committed to reflecting Canada’s population in our organization and fostering an environment where all employees can be their authentic selves, with equal opportunities to succeed and contribute.

If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply by providing your up-to-date resume. This could be your first step towards a meaningful and inspiring career. Come to work each day knowing that you save lives.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those considered for an interview or those invited to participate in an assessment will be contacted. Applicants who require accommodation should discuss their needs with us.