Laboratory Assistant, Specimen Receipt and Dispatch - Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS)

Laboratory Assistant, Specimen Receipt and Dispatch

Vancouver, BC

Are you ready to make a difference? The Public Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS) is a cohesive, interrelated laboratory system that supports equity and access, and ensures patient safety through high quality, well coordinated laboratory services.

At our core, we aim to cultivate vibrant communities where everyone can achieve optimal health and well-being right where they live, work, learn, and play.

PLMS is a provincial integrator and a strategic solutions-based organization that leverages partnerships with health organizations and the ministry to improve patient care.

PLMS continues to lead a collaborative effort to achieve the vision of one system of clinical laboratory and pathology service delivery, with a commitment to equity, quality, innovation, and adaptability.

What you’ll do

• Prepare specimens for testing in accordance with established procedures by performing duties such as preparing smears, staining and coverslipping slides, centrifugation, aliquoting (subsampling), and loading samples onto specimen racks.
• Verify that specimens meet acceptable identification criteria and verifies specimen type according to established procedures, sort and assign laboratory numbers to specimens, in priority according to pre-defined criteria, and applies barcode labels according to established operating procedures.
• Prepare culture media and stock solutions by performing duties such as weighing dehydrated media and chemicals, dissolving in water or other solvents, measuring Ph and adjusting as required, and sterilizing by filtration or autoclaving.
• Receive incoming specimens and requisitions and checks for accuracy and completeness of information such as personal health number, name, date of birth and tests required.

Contact physicians or labs for missing information and make necessary corrections.

Process test requisitions by entering patient data into computer systems, issues new patient identification number where required and identifies duplicate record problems, obtain or clarify missing or questionable information, correct errors and omissions in patient demographic data and enters corrections into computer systems.

Enter test requests into the Laboratory Information System (LIS).

• Recycle solvents according to established procedures.
• Respond to requests for test results, faxes same, as required. Forward requests for test interpretation to Medical Laboratory Technologist in accordance with established procedures.
• Receive telephone / fax requests for information and direct requests according to established procedures.
• File and organize records, such as requisitions, statistical information and work schedules.
• Identify and communicate operational issues and computer / equipment related problems to supervisor.

What you bring

Qualifications

Grade 12, successful completion of a recognized Lab Assistant training program plus one year’s recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to type at 25 wpm.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have : Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future.

That’s why we’re focused on your care too offering health, wellness, development programs to support you at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Location : 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V5Z 4R4

Hours of Work : Monday Friday, 14 : 00 22 : 00

Requisition # 169747E, 169748E

What we do

provides laboratory testing at 31 sites across the lower mainland and central coast of BC, including acute care hospital laboratories and specialty laboratories.

PLMS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority () plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province.

Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include : Respect people Be compassionate Dare to innovate Cultivate partnerships Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs :

PHSA and PLMS is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems.

PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and / or persistently marginalized groups identified under the Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level.

We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and / or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at .

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples.

These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities.

PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan : A First Nations Case Study.