Technical Specialist Specimen Services, Automation and Laboratory Support Services (ALSS) LabPlus

New Zealand Government; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora’s LabPLUS in Auckland City Hospital seeks a Technical Specialist to provide advanced technical/scientific expertise in the Specimen Services section of ALSS. You will coordinate daily workflow, lead teams, mentor staff and develop procedures to enhance laboratory performance.

This role requires line with Te Whatu Ora values, a current APC, and a track record of quality service delivery in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• Registered Medical Laboratory Scientist with current Annual Practicing Certificate.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a medical laboratory.
• Experience leading teams, managing workflows and maintaining documentation is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to staff.
• Coordinate and oversee daily workflow, resource allocation and staffing to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Develop, review and maintain departmental procedures and documentation.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, process optimisation and service standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Workflow management

Quality documentation

Laboratory instrumentation

Communication skills

Training & mentoring

Education

Medical Laboratory Scientist registration

Tools

Roche automation systems

Job description

New Zealands leading hospital laboratory

Collaborative and supportive work environment

Dedicated friendly team

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

An exciting opportunity is available for a Technical Specialist to play a key role in the Specimen Services section within the Automation and Laboratory Support Services (ALSS) team at LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital. We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic professional to join one of New Zealands largest tertiary hospital laboratories. This position offers a unique opportunity to work alongside multidisciplinary teams on high-impact projects that support service improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.

The successful candidate will provide advanced technical and scientific expertise to support the effective operation of the Specimen Services section. This role is responsible for coordinating and overseeing daily workflow, resource allocation, and staffing to ensure efficient service delivery and optimal laboratory performance.

Key responsibilities include providing technical leadership, training and mentoring staff, supporting professional development, and developing, reviewing, and maintaining departmental procedures and documentation. The role also contributes to quality improvement initiatives, process optimisation, and the ongoing enhancement of service standards. A strong commitment to quality, operational excellence, and customer-focused service delivery is essential.

Rostered shift work is an integral part of this role. Shifts are 24/7 rostered Monday to Sunday and the hours are predominately 8.00am 4.30pm working 40 hours per week.

Click here for Position Description For further information please contact Sujata Hemmady, Scientist Unit Manager [e-mail] or [phone] extn 22123

About LabPlus

LabPLUS is an IANZ accredited medical laboratory and is one of New Zealand's premier laboratories. LabPLUS is part of the state-owned Te Toka Tumai, Auckland. We offer a comprehensive pathology service for Auckland City Hospital, Starship Childrens Hospital, National Women's Health, and the Greenlane Clinical Centre. LabPLUS is also a major referral laboratory for specialised laboratory tests for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Visit our website www.labplus.co.nz for more information.

About the Department

The Automation and Laboratory Support Services (ALSS) Department comprises Specimen Services and Automated Chemistry, providing critical support to laboratory operations across LabPLUS. ALSS is a high-volume, fast-paced service responsible for the pre-analytical processing of specimens for Te Toka Tumai Auckland. Our work includes specimen receipt and dispatch, registration, allocation, and triage, ensuring samples are processed efficiently and accurately to support timely patient care.

The Automated Chemistry section operates state-of-the-art Roche pre-analytical and analytical automation systems, delivering high-quality diagnostic testing services. As a central support service, our team collaborates closely with all departments across LabPLUS and provides a 24/7 operation, ensuring continuous laboratory support for the regions healthcare needs.

Joining ALSS offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment at the forefront of laboratory automation, innovation, and service excellence. For more information on living and working in Auckland click here.

About you

If youre applying for the Technical Specialist position, you should be a registered Medical Laboratory Scientist with a minimum of 5 years experience in a medical laboratory; you will hold a current Annual Practicing Certificate. You will also have relevant experience and skills to perform the tasks outlined above. Experience with leading teams, managing workflows and maintaining documentation would be an advantage.

This role requires a high level of communication skills, and the ability to train staff. You must have a strong attention to detail with a focus on quality and a can do attitude to work in a fast-paced and busy environment. You will lead by example and your values should align closely to the Te Whatu Ora values.

Working at Health New Zealand. Health 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.