Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Company : IWK Health

Req ID: 205935 
Department/Program: Laboratory Medicine, Medicine, Quality & Safety 
Location: Halifax  
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100% FTE)  x 1 position(s)
 Start Date:
Union Status: Non-union, Management/Non Union Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $91.577 - $110.7125 /hour
Closing Date: September 5, 2025 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

**Successful candidates may be eligible with relocation assistance of up to $5,000 for those who qualify. In turn, a Return of Service for two (2) years will be required**

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 Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine at the IWK comprises a large and diverse group of highly trained professionals across several specialized areas including pathology, genetics and biochemistry.

The Clinical Genomics Division provides full-service integrated molecular and cytogenetic testing for the Maritime Provinces and acts as a referral site for institutions outside the region. In collaboration with the Maritime Medical Genetics Service and other clinical partners, the Clinical Genomics Division ensures timely and clinically actionable results required for appropriate patient care.

In conjunction with providing timely quality care, the division also believes in fostering positive relationships in education and research. The Clinical Genomics service has built partnerships with many research groups and provides teaching opportunities for Dalhousie University undergraduate students, graduate students, medical school students, residents and fellows, as well as clinical placements for students from the Michener Genetic Technology program.

The Division of Clinical Genomics in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at IWK Health in Halifax Nova Scotia, is seeking a clinical laboratory scientist with certification in genetic and genomic diagnosis (GGD), or with dual certification in cytogenetics and molecular genetics. IWK Health is a large tertiary care teaching hospital affiliated with Dalhousie University, and the major referral center for pediatrics and prenatal care in the Maritimes. The Clinical Genomics Laboratory is a full service combined cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic testing facility that provides cytogenetics services for hematologic neoplasia solid tumor, and constitutional

testing, and molecular services for all inherited prenatal, pediatric and adult disorders for the Maritime Provinces. It is the only site accredited by the Children’s Oncology Group to perform chromosome analysis on pediatric leukemia samples in the Maritimes.

The successful applicant will join a team of four medical and clinical laboratory scientists providing genetic testing using state of the art technology in this comprehensive genetic testing services laboratory.

Responsibilities include:

· Shared coverage for triage, review, interpretation, reporting and consultation of both cytogenetic and molecular test requests.

· Experience in interpretation and reporting of karyotypes, FISH, microarray, and NGS data is expected.

· Additional responsibilities will include participation in development and implementation of new technology, and involvement in laboratory quality assurance program and other administrative duties.

· Interpret and draft clinical reports for genetic abnormalities, from the single nucleotide to the whole chromosome level, identified by various methodologies

· Provide consultation to healthcare practitioners regarding laboratory testing particularly as it relates to the management of patients and their families with genetic disorders

· Assume the day-to-day responsibilities for the operation and standards of a genomic diagnostic laboratory.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an academic position in the Department of Pathology at Dalhousie University, which includes teaching activities for undergraduate and graduate students, fellows and residents, as well as research opportunities.

Hours of Work

Monday – Friday; 75 hours bi-weekly

Your Qualifications

· Ph.D. in Genetics or related field and certification (or qualified for certification) by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists in Genetic and Genome Diagnostics (GGD), molecular diagnostics, or cytogenetics, or equivalent certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics. OR:

· M.D. with residency training in Pathology, Pediatrics, or Medical Genetics and certification (or qualified for certification) by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists in Genetic and Genome Diagnostics (GGD), molecular diagnostics, or cytogenetics, or equivalent certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics

· Applicants must be CCMG or ABMG certified (or board eligible) in Cytogenetics and/or Molecular Genetics. Candidates with single certification in Molecular or Cytogenetics will also be considered, as well as those eligible to write CCMG exam by 2026. Previous experience in a Cytogenetics and/or Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory in a tertiary care health center is an asset.

· Ability to identify and interpret abnormalities from the single nucleotide to the whole chromosome level

· Ability and experience in preparing clinically useful reports, including appropriate follow up recommendations, for a variety of molecular genetics and/or cytogenetic test results

· Knowledge and experience in quality management in a genomics laboratory, including new technology implementation and validation

· Experience in research related to human genetics or experience with genetic variant curation and interpretation of clinical relevance.

· Experience writing and editing scientific materials for external audiences.

· Data management expertise (including scientific, genetics/genomic and/or medical data)

· Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills

· Proven excellence working in a team environment with strong interpersonal, communication and conflict resolution skills.

· Demonstrated ability to collaborate, develop and maintain effective relationships within healthcare teams.

· Demonstrated time and stress management skills while maintaining competence in a fast-paced work environment.

· Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to the principles of patient and family centered care.

· Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to patient and staff safety at IWK Health

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Color, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, and/or 2SLGBTQIA+. Please self-identify on your application.

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.

Potential candidates are invited to submit an application by clicking 'Apply Now' per below. Please include a letter of interest and CV.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing.

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