Clinical Laboratory Associate

Company : IWK Health

Req ID: 188488 
Department/Program: Precision Medicine,  Diagnostic Services & Maritime Medical Genetics 
Location: Halifax  
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100% FTE)  x 1 position(s)
 Start Date: ASAP
Union Status: Non-union, Management/Non Union Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $37.6098 - $47.0122 /hour
Closing Date: Open Until Filled  (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

This is not a designated position, however, preference will be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, and/or 2SLGBTQIA+. Please self-identify on your application. 

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

The Clinical Genomics Division is an integral component of the IWK Maritime Center for Precision Medicine. This division provides the only inherited molecular genetic and cytogenetic testing service for Nova Scotia, with referral services to much of the Maritime provinces. In collaboration with the Maritime Medical Genetics Service and other clinical partners, the Division ensures timely and clinically actionable results required for appropriate patient care. 
 
Accountable to the Manager, Clinical Genomics, the Clinical Laboratory Associate provides technical support in the development and implementation of new technology for future clinical adoption. The CLA will work with laboratory Medical and Scientific staff developing and carrying out research projects, including assistance with grant submissions, REB applications, and presentation/publication of results.
The Clinical Laboratory Associate is also responsible for working with complex genetic data, utilizing bioinformatics tools and pipelines to ensure accurate and reliable outcomes. They will actively participate in troubleshooting and problem-solving efforts related to instrumentation, software, and workflows.  Additionally, the CLA is responsible for conducting regular biosafety audits and ensure compliance with safety regulations, oversee laboratory reagent inventory management, and manage and document research-related equipment maintenance schedules.
 

Hours of Work

Monday - Friday; 7.5 hour days

Your Qualifications

• A university degree in Medical Sciences, or advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in biomedical research
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in clinical laboratory research with a comprehensive understanding of next-generation sequencing (NGS), NGS/WES/WGS data analysis, genetic data analysis, and/or bioinformatics is required 
• Experience working with human genetics data (whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, or targeted gene panels) in research or clinical setting (preferred)
• Understanding of clinical laboratory processes, including quality control, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance is an asset
• Understanding of bioinformatics, data analysis, and programming languages
• Experience with biosafety regulatory compliance audits will be considered a strong asset.
• Proven experience with development and validation of novel genomic methodologies will be considered a strong asset.
• Experience writing and editing scientific materials for external audiences
• Data management expertise (including scientific, genetics/genomic and/or medical data)
• Exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to analyze complex data, identify issues, and develop solutions
• Proactive and self-motivated approach to work, confident to assume independent work and to actively seek support when required
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical information to scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Ability to liaise and network with other health professionals within other provincial health jurisdictions
• Competencies in other languages an asset
   

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Management/Non Union  bargaining  unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.