Public Health Technologist Environmental Microbiology

Public Health Technologist Environmental Microbiology – BC Centre for Disease Control

Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services

Vancouver, BC

Effective December 6, 2024, as negotiated in the latest collective agreement, a classification system will be implemented for the HSPBA roles in PHSA, effectively transitioning to a profile-based system. As a result, it may impact this job posting’s job title, job description, and wage range.

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Technologist, Environmental Microbiology, performs routine analysis of water, food, environmental and clinical samples using various techniques to detect surrogate or indicator organisms and infectious disease agents for public health audits and surveillance and for confirmation of food-borne, waterborne and gastrointestinal (GI) disease outbreaks, evaluates and verified results, interprets data and prepared related reports and is responsible for routine quality control and maintenance of equipment and facilities.

What you’ll do

• Participates in day-to-day work activities in the Environmental Microbiology Program by testing drinking, recreational and waste water with membrane filtration, multiple tube fermentation and enzyme substrate procedure for detection and identification of indicator organisms for public health audits and surveillance.
• Performs routine analysis of ready-to-eat food for surrogate or indicator organisms in assessing sanitary quality.
• Participates in food-borne and waterborne disease outbreak investigation by testing food, water, environmental and clinical samples for disease-causing organisms using microscopic, culturing, biochemical, immunological and nucleic acid detection techniques.
• Performs routine examination of stool and vomit samples for Norovirus by RT-PCR procedure in investigation of GI disease outbreaks.
• Prepares stock solutions and reagents following standard operating procedures.
• Responds to requests and inquiries for all referred in tests. Seeks direction as required from the Team Lead, Program Head/Medical Microbiologist, Technical Coordinator, Site Supervisor or Laboratory Operations Manager as appropriate, on customer service issues.
• Performs all related functions required for the production of final reports such as preparing, testing and assessing quality control results prior to release of laboratory results, troubleshoots sample adequacy and prepares dilutions as required according to established procedures.
• Maintains and documents maintenance of laboratory equipment. Recognizes and reports malfunctions in equipment.
• Participates in quality assurance programs for the Analytical Section through methods such as gathering data on turn-around-times (TAT) for test procedures, and monitoring performance and quality indicators. Reports occurrences according to standard operating procedures.
  
• Provides input in the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Analytical Section and making recommendations for changes.
• Assists with information management, such as workload statistics, through methods such as gathering information, completing analysis and recording information.
• Demonstrates routine laboratory procedures to students and technologists.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).
• One year of recent, related experience including experience in a clinical and research based laboratory or an equivalent combination of education, training and recent related experience.

Skills & Knowledge

• Basic knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology and biosafety.
• Demonstrated ability in writing scientific manuscripts an asset and performing literature searches.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot unexpected results.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, manage time, and work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment and use related software.
• Knowledge of basic computer software.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the job.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, 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 September 30, 2025 or until return of incumbent)
Wage: $36.69 - $45.81/hour
Location: 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5Z 4R4
Closing date: Until Filled
Hours of Work: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Rotating Saturday and Sunday shifts, 0830-1630/ 0900-1700
Requisition #: 174348E

What we do

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: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is 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 Government unanimous passing 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 meaningful and lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as we move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as 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.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of November 7, 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 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. 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 internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.