Public Health Technologist TB Mycobacteriology:

Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services

Shape the Future of Health Care in Beautiful British Columbia

 

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Public Health Technologist, TB/Mycobacteriology, is responsible for Mycobacteriology isolates and identifying bacteria, from clinical and other specimens, performs biochemical, serological, molecular and other tests on clinical specimens, evaluates and verifies results, and prepares related reports.

What you’ll do  

1. Participates in day-to-day work activities in Mycobacteriology by testing clinical and other specimens using various microscopy methods, culture and nucleic acid techniques in the biological safety cabinets, and evaluating and verifying results according to established procedures.
2. Identifies acid fast organisms using fluorescent microscopy, rapid amplification nucleic acid techniques and traditional mycobacterial culture methods.
3. Prepares stock solutions and reagents following standard operating procedures.
4. Performs culturing techniques for mycobacterial propagation and maintenance of stock cultures.
5. Performs nucleic acid techniques for mycobacterial identification and susceptibility testing and traditional susceptibilities methods.
6. Responds to requests and inquiries for all referred in tests. Seek direction as required from Section Head, Supervisor, Program Head, Laboratory Operations Manager, or Laboratory Director as appropriate on customer service issues.
7. Performs all related functions required for the production of final reports such as preparing, testing and assessing quality control results prior to release of clinical results, troubleshoots specimen adequacy and prepares dilutions as required according to established procedures.
8. Maintains and documents maintenance of laboratory equipment. Recognizes and reports malfunction in equipment.
9. Participates in the overall quality management system including quality assurance programs for the analytical section through methods such as gathering data on turn around times (TAT) for test procedures, and monitoring performance and quality indicators. Reports occurrences according to standard operating procedures.
10. Provides input in the development and maintenance of technical operating procedures (TOP) for the analytical section and making recommendations for change.
11. Assists with information management, such as workload statistics, through methods such as gathering information, completing analysis and recording information.
12. Packs specimens, collects clinical information from incoming requisitions and prepare documentations for dispatch of specimens to reference laboratories.
13. Demonstrates routine laboratory procedures to students and technologists.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

What you bring 

 

Qualifications:

• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology and certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) OR Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or related biological science relevant to the assigned section.
• One year of recent, related experience including experience in a clinical and research based laboratory or an equivalent combination of education, training and recent related experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility. 
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within [insert name of Program Area] contexts found in the foundational documents 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 - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system. 

 

Core Competencies 

 

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety. 
• Awareness 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.). 

 

 

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to utilize sterile techniques and work in the Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC).
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, manage time and work independently
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment and use related software
• Knowledge of basic computer software
• Knowledge of basic PCR skills
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the job

• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.  
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach. 

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.  

 

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Salary Range: $36.69 - $45.81 per hour + Benefits

Location: 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver,V5Z 4R4

Closing Date: Applications accepted until filled

Hours of Work: M-F 0800 -1600, Rotating Late Shift 0830-1630

 

Requisition #187781E

 

What we do :

 

 Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS), part of Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), is at the forefront of diagnostic testing in BC, operating across 31 sites in the Lower Mainland and Central Coast. From hospitals to specialty labs within Vancouver Coastal Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, Fraser Health Authority, and Providence Health Care, our dedicated teams deliver fast, accurate results that drive critical patient care and medical innovation. Whether detecting diseases, guiding treatments, or supporting groundbreaking research, PLMS plays a vital role in advancing healthcare and saving lives across the province 

 

  The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) 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 – Create equity – Be courageous.  

  

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services 

  

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and 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 excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code. 

 

  One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca. 

  

 Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents  including the 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. 

 

ATTN: PHSA Employees: 

 

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at internaljobs.phsa.ca 

 

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of August 28, 2025. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting. 

 

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.