Job Summary:

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 Medical Laboratory Technologist, Flow Cytometry prepares and analyses clinical samples for immunophenotyping and cell sorting using flow cytometry. The Medical Laboratory Technologist, Flow Cytometry participates in the maintenance of laboratory equipment, monitoring of inventory and quality assurance/control programs, consults with medical staff on a regular basis with regard to patient testing, and performs routine Hematology testing as required.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Assesses and prepares sample for flow analysis in conjunction with input from pathologists.

2.    Consults with the Pathologist regarding appropriate antibodies to be selected that would aid in the diagnosis of patient clinical samples.

3.    Performs multi-colour flow analysis on clinical samples according to established protocols.

4.    Participates in quality assurance/control programs in the section by performing duties such as: analysis and reporting of results; monitoring quality control; gathering data; preparing process improvement opportunity records; investigating discrepancies; and reporting such to the section head as required.

5.    Maintains laboratory equipment within the Section; including the documentation of daily, weekly and other periodic care and maintenance. Recognizes malfunctions in equipment and initiates corrective action.

6.    Applies principles of universal precautions, biohazard, MSDS and laboratory safety to work environment. Participates in the lab safety awareness projects and maintains a safe and healthy workstation environment by following established safety procedures.

7.    Participates in the maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Section by performing duties such as reviewing existing policy/procedures, providing input and recommendations to the Section Head on new or revised policy/procedures to ensure that these documents are in line with department, Agency, national and international standards.

8.    Monitors supplies and inventory according to established procedures in the section.

9.    Assists in the maintenance of a variety of records and computer databases such as workload statistics through methods such as gathering information, completing analysis and recording information.

10.    Keeps patient welfare and confidentiality paramount at all times by following departmental policies regarding confidentiality and quality care.

11.    Following established standard operating procedures, processes specimens for urgent complete blood counts (CBC) on an automated analyzer and performs procedures such as slide preparation and staining, specimen preparation and dilution for flow cytometry analysis. Communicates STAT and urgent results according to established procedures.

12.    Participates in orientation of technologists, pathology residents, and pathologists by demonstrating procedures and equipment. Participates in competency assessment of critical processes in the section.

13.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Successful completion of recognized competency assessment exam, registration in the field of Hematology in accordance with the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) pathways or current registration with the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science.

• Field of Practice: Hematology.

• Graduation from a recognized program in Medical Laboratory Technology plus three (3) years of recent, related experience with multi-colour flow cytometry or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• 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.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the job.
• Knowledge of and technical competence to perform tests used in the assigned section of the laboratory.
• Knowledge of computerized laboratory information systems.