Laboratory Assistant, Virology

Laboratory Assistant, Virology

BC Centre for Disease Control

Vancouver, BC

What you'll do

• Receive incoming specimens and requisitions and checks for accuracy and completeness of information such a personal health number, name, date of birth and tests required, assigns laboratory numbers, and assembles into work batches for testing. Contact clients for missing information and make necessary corrections.
• Prepare specimens for testing by performing duties such as staining slides, performing concentration procedures, choosing appropriate primary culture media, inoculating to various media, and placing in incubators in accordance with established 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, dispensing media, and sterilizing by filtration or autoclaving.
• Monitor supplies and equipment, take inventories, consult with users, identify requirements, prepare order requisitions for signature, and maintain related stock control records. Liaise with supervisor regarding problems with inventory and related systems.
• Receive and check orders, verify accuracy of invoices, stock shelves, check stored media/chemicals/reagents for proper storage and dating, and distribute supplies. Contact suppliers to obtain information and to resolve discrepancies.
• Perform administrative support duties such as producing labels, inputting data into computer programs, maintaining patient and specimen information, receiving and relaying phone messages, providing direction to clients and visitors, completing forms, compiling information and statistics, packaging items for shipping, and sorting and distributing mail.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges autostainers, coverslippers and testing equipment as directed by performing duties such as cleaning, and temperature recording. Perform maintenance procedures according to established procedures. Recognize malfunctions in equipment and report these to the lead hand or designate.
• Maintain daily cleaning and disinfection of work areas and equipment according to established schedule and procedure by performing duties such as: preparing fresh disinfectant solutions; wiping bench tops and equipment following established procedures; cleaning centrifuges and testing and maintaining the section safety eyewash and shower according to established weekly and monthly procedures. Perform waste management duties as per standard operating procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Completion of 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.

You will also have

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to deal with others effectively
• Ability to organize work
• Ability to operate keyboard, perform data entry, use word processing and email
• Ability to type 25 wpm
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others
• 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 and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, 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.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (until May 27th 2026)
Wage: $29.27/hour

Location: 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V5Z 4R4
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Rotating, / /
Requisition # 164778E

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

What we do

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is dedicated to preventing and controlling communicable diseases and promoting environmental health for the province of BC.

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

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) 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 BCCDC are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments' unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of May 13th, 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at or . Please note regular business hours are Monday - Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.