Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values, 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 Lead, Biosafety and Biohazard Containment (BBC) leads the BBC Program by providing technical consultation on compliance and regulatory requirements for public health laboratories.  The Lead instructs and trains staff and partners on biosafety and biosecurity processes and protocols.  The Lead partners with Laboratory leadership to manage the technical, operational and quality management systems of the Containment Level 3 (CL3 programs). The Lead helps develop and supports the safe operation of the provincial CL3 and all Containment Level 2 laboratories, including the extensive education and training components. The Lead develops, coordinates, establishes, evaluates and helps administer the Biosafety Program including obtaining necessary Health Canada, as well as provincial and international, accreditation, certification or other mandated requirements, and provides internal (all BCCDC PHL Programs) and external leadership in biological and laboratory safety to other laboratories in the province in addition to other individuals or organizations such as Public Health. The Lead builds relationships with provincial, territorial and federal partners to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Maintains and sustains safety compliance of facilities with regulatory requirements and best practices including Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Containment Standards by ensuring all public health laboratory personnel are adequately trained in and knowledgeable in procedure and processes for safe handling of risk group 2 and 3 pathogens by working in conjunction with Team Leads to implement any regulatory and best practice changes.
2. Coordinates the day to day biosecurity and biosafety work activities to ensure technical resources meet operational and response level requirements in all containment laboratories, according to operational guidelines, policies and procedures.  Ensures these policies and procedures are followed at all times. Provides leadership to technical and clerical staff on practice and operational issues through problem resolution.
3. Develops training protocols and/or instruction material for all BCCDC PHL programs in biological safety-related areas such as WHMIS, TDG, fire safety, chemical and biological spill responses, biological safety cabinet use and radioisotope safety for all lab staff. Evaluates training requirements and liaises with management and supervisory personnel to coordinate introduction of new skills/procedures including leading annual refresher training and updates as needed.
4. Provides guidance regarding safe handling, storage and disposal of infectious agents and biological materials to all public health laboratory personnel. Coordinates responses to laboratory systems failures with building maintenance personnel.
5. Acts as a representative and liaison to coordinate the BCCDC PHL response in a Bioterrorism (BT) or biological hazard event, participating in Health Canada’s Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) for Risk Group 4 pathogens, and participating in Ministry of Health, PHSA and BCCDC Emergency Operations Command Centers as required by providing biosafety and biohazard laboratory information and input to public health emergencies.
6. Assists the Public Health Laboratory Director, the Provincial Health Officer and other public health policy makers, in formulating and applying policies and procedures required for compliance with municipal, federal, provincial and other regulations such as Worksafe BC, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Diagnostic Accreditation Program (DAP), College of American Pathologists (CAP).
7. Participates in the planning and training of personnel on biosafety practices and procedures by developing material, arranging for in-services and implementing training sessions to ensure consistent practices. Promotes continuous learning among staff by identifying learning opportunities such as workshops, conferences, articles, textbooks and other resources. Oversees biosafety risk assessments and recommends appropriate containment level and procedural modifications when required. Evaluates and monitors a comprehensive waste disposal program, including the management of infectious waste.
8. Coordinates the health surveillance program where required, e.g. TB screening, CL3 mandatory surveillance by identifying indicators and test frequencies. Coordinates audits of the laboratory safety program by monitoring indicators, identifying issues, recommending changes, and drafting action plans to address deficiencies. Liaises with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to coordinate applications for export and import of Human Pathogens permits.
9. Provides first point of contact for biosafety emergencies (accidental spills, personnel contamination, CL3 issues), including on call for provincial and national emergencies. Ensures best practices, and coordinates the implementation of emergency procedures for biohazardous incidents (spills, equipment failure, etc.).
10. Participates in developing operational guidelines, policies and procedures to ensure that the standards for quality are maintained, related to the biocontainment program. In conjunction with the Team Leads, develops and monitors workload and performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of the departmental operations.
11. Coordinates the annual performance verification and systems testing of the Containment level 3 (CL3) laboratories in order to maintain certification by PHAC and CFIA by reviewing existing materials and procedures, determining time frames for reviews, facilitating meetings, and coordinating with Team Lead and other team members as required to obtain input. Leads the development and implement of emergency response plans for CL3.
12. Assists the Team Leads with budget preparation by collecting and collating data and provides input into establishing priorities within the program; monitors labor and non-labor costs to ensure that expenditures are within the assigned budget.
13. Coordinates biological material transfer agreements between Laboratories and outside facilities and colleagues requesting biological material from BCCDC PHL.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Successful completion of recognized competency assessment exam and registration in the field of Clinical Microbiology in accordance with the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) pathways, or current registration with the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science OR Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or related biological science relevant to the assigned section plus minimum of five (5) years of recent, related experience, including two (2) years of experience providing training and coaching or an equivalent combination of education, training and recent related experience.

• Field of practice: Microbiology.
• Training in biological safety.
• Transport of Dangerous Goods (6.2) training.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated current knowledge of containment level 3 programs and applicable statutes, Regulations and guidelines, e.g. Worksafe BC, municipal fire code, federal Biosafety guidelines, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Transport of Dangerous Goods, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emergency response procedures including fire, earthquake, chemical or biological spills and personal protective equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and provide instruction and guidance to staff.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and community health care partners, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated planning, organizational, leadership and supervisory skills.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and familiarity with internet resources.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment.