Full job description

Laboratory Assistant - Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, Abbotsford British Columbia

LM Labs

The Laboratory Assistant performs specimen collection, preparation and testing and performs related clerical functions.

What you’ll do

• Collects blood and other specimens and labels with relevant information according to Fraser Health policies. This includes sweat collections, breath collections, capillary gases, venous and capillary blood samples, and other specimens as required. Assists in the collections of fine needle aspirations by providing clerical support.
• Prepares specimens for analysis by centrifuging, aliquoting, and distributing specimens by priority including Microbiology, Pathology and Cytology specimens and assisting with gross exams. Stains, mounts, and labels slides.
• Performs clerical duties as required including computer data entry for patient information and tests. Communicates test results to designated parties and handles inquiries from other health team members.
• Cleans, operates and maintains equipment such as temperature checks on fridges, incubators, autoclaves and water bath. Informs appropriate staff of problems with equipment as per established procedure.
• Prepares reagents, media, and specimen collection material and distributes as required. Receives, stores and ships specimens and other materials. Prepares, handles, and transports specimens for preanalytical
• and post-analytical storage, including discarding specimens as per accepted protocols.
• Loads specimens for analysis on barcode enhanced automated and semi-automated equipment only.
• Performs laboratory tests such as urine dipsticks and glucose tests using urinalysis machines and glucose meters. Performs simple tests such as occult blood and pregnancy tests. Plates microbiology specimens.
• Maintains a clean and safe work area according to established policies and procedures including stocking adequate levels of supplies at workstations.
• Assists with clerical functions such as counting inventory and notifying appropriate staff of inventory levels as per procedure.
• Schedules and books appointments and enters and verifies patient registration information as required.
• Provides assistance as required by performing ECG testing by attaching electrodes to patients and operating equipment according to standard procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Completion of Grade 12, successful completion of a recognized Lab Assistant training program
• One year’s recent, related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within LM Labs contexts found in the foundational documents 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 - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Core Competencies