Clinical Laboratory Associate

Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health•Halifax, NS

5d•CA$46 - CA$56•Onsite

About The Position

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 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.

Requirements

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
Understanding of bioinformatics, data analysis, and programming languages
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

Nice To Haves

Experience working with human genetics data (whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, or targeted gene panels) in research or clinical setting
Understanding of clinical laboratory processes, including quality control, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance is an asset
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.
Competencies in other languages an asset

Responsibilities

Provides technical support in the development and implementation of new technology for future clinical adoption.
Works with laboratory Medical and Scientific staff developing and carrying out research projects, including assistance with grant submissions, REB applications, and presentation/publication of results.
Works with complex genetic data, utilizing bioinformatics tools and pipelines to ensure accurate and reliable outcomes.
Actively participates in troubleshooting and problem-solving efforts related to instrumentation, software, and workflows.
Conducts regular biosafety audits and ensures compliance with safety regulations.
Oversees laboratory reagent inventory management.
Manages and documents research-related equipment maintenance schedules.