Medical Laboratory Scientist

• Christchurch – Canterbury Health Laboratories – Haematology & Surface Markers
• Full-time permanent position working 40 hours per week
• Join us in the largest medical laboratory in the South Island!

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.

About the Role:

Health is a 24/7 service, and Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) is no exception. We are seeking a New Zealand-registered Medical Laboratory Scientist to join our Surface Markers Laboratory (Haematology). The laboratory provides specialist flow cytometry services for Canterbury Waitaha patients and acts as a referral service for other regions across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our focus is the delivery of accurate, timely and clinically reliable results that support patient diagnosis, treatment and monitoring.

You will join a small, experienced and close-knit team working in a varied and fast-paced specialist environment. This role contributes to the diagnosis and monitoring of haematological malignancies and other specialist investigations through high-quality flow cytometry testing. You will work closely with the Core Haematology team, Haematologists and the wider Canterbury Health Laboratories service.

This is primarily a day-shift position, with working hours determined by the Section Head and Technical Lead according to service requirements. Once appropriately trained and assessed as competent, you may be required to participate in later shifts, on-call arrangements and weekend call-backs. Participation will depend on your experience, competency and the operational needs of the service.

Team accountability

As a member of the Surface Markers team, you will share accountability for:

• Delivering a safe, accurate, timely and patient-focused specialist laboratory service.
• Working collaboratively with the Surface Markers and Core Haematology teams, Haematologists and the wider CHL service to support consistent service delivery.
• Maintaining professional, ethical and culturally safe practice, including meaningful application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
• Meeting quality, accreditation, privacy, health and safety, and document-control requirements.
• Contributing to team capability through training, knowledge sharing, continuous improvement and constructive participation in departmental activities.
• Taking responsibility for personal competence, professional development, wellbeing and reliable performance.

Key responsibilities

• Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga - Lead by example by showing respect, kinship, generosity and care for the people we work with and the people we serve, including their whānau and communities. Show the same respect and care for their information, experiences and stories.
• Technical - Perform specimen preparation and flow cytometric analysis across a range of specimen and assay types, including but not limited to lymphoma and leukaemia diagnosis and monitoring, CD34+ stem-cell enumeration, fetomaternal haemorrhage estimation and investigations for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.
• Delegated laboratory operations - Contribute to the daily operation of the laboratory within delegated authority and in line with organisational goals, approved procedures, professional scope and legislative requirements.
• A high-quality service - Perform specimen processing, data analysis, technical interpretation and result reporting to a consistently high standard. Adhere strictly to approved laboratory methods and quality requirements, recognise abnormal or potentially critical results, and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Laboratory information system - Use the laboratory information system accurately, responsibly and securely to enter data, manage worklists, access results and complete reporting requirements.
• Routine laboratory duties - Perform specimen preparation, testing, data interpretation and reporting, together with first-line troubleshooting of tests and equipment relevant to the laboratory’s operation. Complete daily start-up, shutdown, maintenance and all required internal quality-control tasks.
• Quality assurance - Participate as a working member of the Quality Group (EQG) to support continued accreditation to ISO 15189. Follow laboratory quality procedures and contribute to external quality assurance, non-conformance reporting and continuous improvement.
• Training - Engage with team members to support a consistent approach to laboratory methods and quality standards. Assist with the training and competency development of new and developing staff when delegated by the Technical Lead.
• Safety - Observe all Health New Zealand safe-work procedures and instructions. Maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment, and promptly identify, contain and escalate safety or quality risks.
• Skills and professional development - Work actively with management to maintain competence, broaden technical skills and pursue relevant professional development opportunities.
• Kaitiakitanga - Act as a responsible guardian of laboratory resources and work with the wider CHL service to identify practical ways to reduce waste and minimise adverse environmental impacts. 

Skills and experience

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• A relevant graduate qualification in medical laboratory science, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand.
• Current registration as a Medical Laboratory Scientist with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate with an appropriate scope of practice.
• At least three years of substantial Haematology experience, with proven record of regular rostered morphology sign-off duties.
• Experience in Surface Markers or flow cytometry testing is desirable. Applicants with strong Haematology experience and the ability to develop specialist flow cytometry capability will also be considered.
• Sound knowledge of laboratory quality systems, quality control, accreditation requirements and safe laboratory practice.
• The ability to perform accurate technical work, recognise when escalation is required and exercise sound judgement within professional scope and delegated authority.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to work accurately and efficiently in a busy clinical laboratory.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• A patient- and client-focused approach, with demonstrated reliability, initiative, confidentiality, adaptability and personal accountability.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equitable health outcomes, continuing professional development and constructive team participation.

Why Join Us:

Opportunity to contribute to the delivery of world-class healthcare services.

• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

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.

Apply now

Share