Medical Laboratory Scientist (Provisional)

• Christchurch – Canterbury Health Laboratories – Haematology
• Full-Time, Permanent position working 40 hours per week 11:30 am - 08:00pm, Monday to Friday

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. Health is a 24/7 business and Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) is no exception!

About the Role:

We’re seeking a highly motivated, newly graduated Medical Laboratory Scientist to join our busy Laboratory, based primarily within Haematology. In this provisional scope role, you will work alongside experienced scientists and receive dedicated, on-the-job mentoring to develop your skills in full diagnostic testing, blood counts, morphology and coagulation, as well as supporting basic chemistry and specimen services as and when required. Upon successful completion of your provisional period and registration, you will transition to a fully qualified MLS.

As a member of the Haematology Team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality medical laboratory services. You will collaborate closely with the Core Laboratory Team, wider CHL team, and the communities we serve to build trust, foster common understanding, and promote shared ownership of healthcare initiatives. Our primary focus is to provide the best service possible for the care of the patient.

Your primary working hours will be 11:30–20:00 within Haematology. You may be required to participate in other shift including weekend and public holiday when needed with additional coverage for Specimen Services and Core Biochemistry as required. You will also be rostered into Biochemistry and Specimen Services every 4–6 weeks, or as needed, to maintain competency and support ongoing skill development.

Team accountability: As a member of the Haematology Team, this role has shared accountability for:

• Engaging with the Core Laboratory Team, the wider CHL team, the people of the Canterbury and West Coast districts and the wider Health New Zealand systems to build trust, common understanding and shared ownership.
• Providing a world class medical laboratory Service.
• Performing a variety of duties in the routine areas of the laboratory, including basic troubleshooting, result interpretation and reporting.
• Contribute to 24/7 shift including weekend and public holiday if required.
• Doing the right thing, being and staying well and valuing everyone.
• Providing a laboratory service that adheres to quality and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga - To lead by example by showing respect and kinship, generosity, and care for the people we work with and who services, their whānau and communities. To also show respect and care for their information and stories
• Technical - Responsible for the operational performance and daily operation of the Laboratory within delegated authority and in line with organisational goals and legislative requirements
• A high-quality service - Supervise and perform manual & automated assays for measuring a range of different sample types
• Laboratory information system - Knowledgeable and responsible for their own operation and use of the laboratory information system to register patients, input data and access results.
• Routine laboratory - Responsible for performing a variety of duties in the laboratory, including basic troubleshooting of tests and equipment relevant to the laboratory’s operation.
• Quality assurance - Participate as a working member of the Quality Group [EQG] to maintain accreditation to ISO 15189
• Training - Engage with team members to provide a consistent approach to quality standards.
• Safety - Observe all Te Whatu Ora safe work procedures and instructions
• Skill and professional development - actively work with management to increase skill sets and potential professional development opportunities
• Kaitiakitanga - The Medical Laboratory Scientist to act as a guardian with engagement from wider CHL to continuously develop ways to decrease waste that can have an adverse effect on the environment.

About you

Skills and Experience:

To be effective and succeed in this role it is expected the person will have the following proven capabilities, qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) or a recognized equivalent science degree with experience in Haematology of a diagnostic laboratory.
• Eligibility for registration (or currently registered) with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand (MSCNZ) in a Provisional Scope of Practice.
• The ability to maintain a high professional standard in line with the competence standards for MLS practitioners.

• Strong attention to detail, excellent time management, and a high capacity for learning.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high professional standards and competence.

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. 

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kerri McCarthy at Kerri.McCarthy@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.

Position description Apply now

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