Medical Laboratory Scientist | Specialist Service

• Christchurch – Canterbury Health Laboratories - Specialist Service
• Permanent part-time working 32 hours per week Monday to Friday – start and finish times to be arranged with the successful applicant.

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.

Canterbury Health Laboratories is the largest medical laboratory in the South Island which is also a major secondary/tertiary referral centre. We have a modern and well-equipped lab including a good range of specialist equipment. Our laboratory is open 24 hours a day, providing timely results to our clinicians to ensure our patients are getting the right treatment, at the right time.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and dedicated Medical Laboratory Scientist to join the Protein Laboratory within our Specialist Service team at Canterbury Health Laboratories.

In this role, you’ll provide a high-quality laboratory science service — encompassing the collection, preparation, investigation, and analysis of human biological samples — to support the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients. You’ll work within your scope of practice as defined by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand, ensuring that every test and process contributes to excellent patient outcomes and the ongoing pursuit of equitable health across our communities. 

Key Responsibilities

Professional Practice and Development

• Maintain professional competence and a commitment to continuous learning through ongoing CPD and professional development planning.
• Actively participate in training, conferences, and professional development discussions with your Section Head.
• Uphold the highest professional and ethical standards while contributing to a supportive, collaborative team environment.

Laboratory Operations

• Perform a wide range of routine and specialist laboratory tests and analyses.
• Conduct manual and automated assays across various sample types with accuracy and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot test and equipment issues as required.
• Ensure all data is entered accurately in the Laboratory Information System, including patient registration and results management.
• Support the maintenance of IANZ accreditation to ISO 15189, contributing to quality initiatives and audits.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Embrace new ideas, technologies, and process improvements to enhance service delivery.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives that align with Canterbury Health Laboratories’ vision of excellence.

About You

You are a skilled and conscientious Medical Laboratory Scientist with a strong commitment to accuracy, collaboration, and patient-focused care. You thrive in a team setting and take pride in delivering precise, timely laboratory results that support clinical excellence.

Essential Requirements

• Registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high professional standards and meet competence requirements for MLS practitioners.
• Strong understanding (or willingness to learn) of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its significance in healthcare.
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills.
• A strong sense of professional integrity and personal responsibility.

Desired

• Experience working within an IANZ-accredited medical laboratory.
• Proven experience in specialist laboratory disciplines. 

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 career’s 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.