Medical Laboratory Scientist

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury is seeking a New Zealand-registered Medical Laboratory Scientist to join the Surface Markers Laboratory (Haematology) in Christchurch. The role focuses on flow cytometry testing, clinical correlation and joining a close-knit team in a high-demand environment.

The position is day-shifted with potential for later shifts, on-call and weekend work based on service needs and assessed competency.

Qualifications

• Relevant graduate qualification in medical laboratory science or equivalent.
• Current NZ registration and Annual Practising Certificate with appropriate scope.
• Minimum three years Haematology experience and morphology sign-off duties.
• Experience in Surface Markers or flow cytometry desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform specimen preparation and flow cytometric analysis for haematology tests.
• Deliver accurate, timely results and maintain quality control.
• Collaborate with Haematology, Core Haematology and CHL teams.
• Adhere to ISO 15189 and safety requirements.

Skills

Haematology experience

Flow cytometry

Morphology sign-off duties

Communication skills

Education

Medical Laboratory Science degree

Tools

Laboratory quality systems

ISO 15189

Job description

Christchurch - Canterbury Health Laboratories ' Haematology & Surface MarkersFull-time permanent position working 40 hours per week

Join us in the largest medical laboratory in the South Island!Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role:

Health is a 24/7 service, andCanterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) is no exception. We are seeking a NewZealand-registered Medical Laboratory Scientist to join our Surface MarkersLaboratory (Haematology). The laboratory provides specialist flow cytometryservices for Canterbury Waitaha patients and acts as a referral service forother regions across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our focus is the delivery ofaccurate, timely and clinically reliable results that support patientdiagnosis, treatment and monitoring.

You will join a small,experienced and close-knit team working in a varied and fast-paced specialist environment.

This role contributes to the diagnosis and monitoring of haematologicalmalignancies and other specialist investigations through high-quality flowcytometry testing. You will work closely with the Core Haematology team,Haematologists and the wider Canterbury Health Laboratories service.

This is primarily a day-shiftposition, with working hours determined by the Section Head and Technical Leadaccording to service requirements. Once appropriately trained and assessed ascompetent, you may be required to participate in later shifts, on-callarrangements and weekend call-backs. Participation will depend on yourexperience, competency and the operational needs of the service.

Team accountability

As a member of the SurfaceMarkers team, you will share accountability for:

Delivering a safe, accurate, timely and patient-focused specialistlaboratory service.

Working collaboratively with the Surface Markers and CoreHaematology teams, Haematologists and the wider CHL service to supportconsistent service delivery.

Maintaining professional, ethical and culturally safe practice,including meaningful application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

Meeting quality, accreditation, privacy, health and safety, anddocument-control requirements.

Contributing to team capability through training, knowledgesharing, continuous improvement and constructive participation in departmentalactivities.

Taking responsibility for personal competence, professionaldevelopment, wellbeing and reliable performance.

Key responsibilitiesManaakitanga and Whanaungatanga - Lead byexample by showing respect, kinship, generosity and care for the people we workwith and the people we serve, including their whānau and communities. Show thesame respect and care for their information, experiences and stories.

Technical - Perform specimen preparation and flow cytometric analysis across arange of specimen and assay types, including but not limited to lymphoma andleukaemia diagnosis and monitoring, CD34+ stem-cell enumeration, fetomaternalhaemorrhage estimation and investigations for paroxysmal nocturnalhaemoglobinuria.

Delegated laboratory operations - Contribute tothe daily operation of the laboratory within delegated authority and in linewith organisational goals, approved procedures, professional scope andlegislative requirements.

A high-quality service - Performspecimen processing, data analysis, technical interpretation and resultreporting to a consistently high standard. Adhere strictly to approvedlaboratory methods and quality requirements, recognise abnormal or potentiallycritical results, and elevate concerns appropriately.

Laboratory information system - Use thelaboratory information system accurately, responsibly and securely to enterdata, manage worklists, access results and complete reporting requirements.

Routine laboratory duties - Performspecimen preparation, testing, data interpretation and reporting, together withfirst-line troubleshooting of tests and equipment relevant to the laboratory'soperation. Complete daily start-up, shutdown, maintenance and all requiredinternal quality-control tasks.

Quality assurance - Participate as a working member ofthe Quality Group (EQG) to support continued accreditation to ISO 15189. Followlaboratory quality procedures and contribute to external quality assurance,non-conformance reporting and continuous improvement.

Training - Engage with team members to support a consistent approach tolaboratory methods and quality standards. Assist with the training andcompetency development of new and developing staff when delegated by theTechnical Lead.

Safety - Observe all Health New Zealand safe-work procedures andinstructions. Maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment, andpromptly identify, contain and escape safety or quality risks.

Skills and professional development - Work activelywith management to maintain competence, broaden technical skills and pursuerelevant professional development opportunities.

Kaitiakitanga - Act as a responsible guardian of laboratory resources and workwith the wider CHL service to identify practical ways to reduce waste andminimise adverse environmental impacts.

Skills and experience

To succeed in this role, youwill have:

A relevant graduate qualification in medical laboratory science,or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Medical Sciences Council ofNew Zealand.

Current registration as a Medical Laboratory Scientist with theMedical Sciences Council of New Zealand and a current Annual PractisingCertificate with an appropriate scope of practice.

At least three years of substantial Haematology experience, withproven record of regular rostered morphology sign-off duties.

Experience in Surface Markers or flow cytometry testing isdesirable. Applicants with strong Haematology experience and the ability todevelop specialist flow cytometry capability will also be considered.

Sound knowledge of laboratory quality systems, quality control,accreditation requirements and safe laboratory practice.

The ability to perform accurate technical work, recognise whenescalation is required and exercise sound judgement within professional scopeand delegated authority.

Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability towork accurately and efficiently in a busy clinical laboratory.

Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills,with the ability to build effective working relationships acrossmultidisciplinary teams.

A patient- and client-focused approach, with demonstratedreliability, initiative, confidentiality, adaptability and personalaccountability.

Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equitable health outcomes,continuing professional development and constructive team participation.

Why JoinUs:

Opportunity to contribute to the delivery ofworld-class healthcare services.

Collaborative and supportive work environment.

Professional development opportunities.

Competitive compensation and benefits package.

Working at Health New ZealandHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community.

We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.