Medical Laboratory Scientist | West Coast
- West Coast – Greymouth – Laboratory Services
- Full-Time, Permanent position (80 hours per fortnight)
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.
Are you a passionate Medical Laboratory Scientist looking to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative and patient-focused laboratory environment?
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Medical Laboratory Scientist to join our Laboratory Services team as a Technical Specialist in our core laboratory. This role offers the opportunity to apply your scientific expertise across a broad range of laboratory disciplines while contributing to the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services that support patient diagnosis, treatment, and care. Experience in microbiology and/or blood bank would be desirable.
Working within a multidisciplinary laboratory, you will play a key role in ensuring the provision of accurate, timely, and reliable laboratory results while supporting quality improvement, professional development, and service excellence.
Your primary working days will be Monday to Friday, with participation in a 24/7 roster, including weekends, public holidays and on call duties.
About the Role
The Technical Specialist provides the leadership of a laboratory section or subsection with the collection, receipt, registration, preparation, investigation and laboratory analysis of samples of human biological material to support patient diagnosis, management and treatment.
You will work collaboratively with laboratory colleagues, clinicians, and external stakeholders to ensure the delivery of safe, efficient, and high-quality diagnostic services. You will also contribute to staff development, quality systems, continuous improvement initiatives, and the ongoing success of an IANZ-accredited laboratory service.
Key Responsibilities Include
Professional and Technical Leadership
- Provide strong technical leadership across relevant service areas.
- Supervise, guide, and support staff to ensure high performance and accountability.
- Actively participate in training programmes, including competency sign-off and onboarding of new staff.
- Delegate tasks effectively to optimise team performance and workflow.
- Support and monitor staff training and development plans.
- Oversee SOP and document review in relevant areas.
Routine Laboratory
- Participates across all areas of the laboratory operations
- Performs a variety of duties in the laboratory, including collection, receipt, preparation, investigation and laboratory analysis of samples to support patient diagnosis, management and treatment.
- Ensure the delivery of an efficient, well-organised laboratory service.
CPD and professional development
- Maintain competence within the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) scope of practice.
- Undertake relevant CPD activities to maintain Annual Practising Certificate (APC).
- Actively participate in and contribute to staff training and development initiatives.
Client Service and Communication
- Clients receive polite, courteous, and prompt responses to their requests or enquiries.
- Client feedback is documented and notified to the Laboratory Manager at the earliest opportunity.
- There is no discrimination in the standard of service to all staff and clients.
- Offer accurate and informed advice on test interpretation to laboratory users
About You
You are a qualified Medical Laboratory Scientist who is committed to excellence, quality outcomes, and continuous learning. You enjoy working as part of a team, thrive in a dynamic laboratory environment, and are passionate about contributing to positive patient outcomes.
Essential Requirements
- Registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and hold current APC.
- The ability to maintain a high professional standard in line with the competence standards for MLS practitioners
- Experience working within an IANZ accredited laboratory
- Have a working knowledge of Laboratory Information Systems
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Able to maintain confidentiality and use discretion.
- Able to work unsupervised and prioritise workloads.
- Able to work cooperatively and efficiently to meet deadlines.
- Possess effective interpersonal skills.
- Be accountable and reliable.
- Have the ability to initiate and facilitate open communication with staff.
- Be client focused and committed to quality outcomes.
- Be committed to teamwork and have the ability to delegate, consult and build an effective work team.
- Possess excellent organisation and time management skills.
- Have the ability to supervise and train staff.
- Be able to write and collate technical documents.
- Be culturally sensitive, with an understanding of the Principles and Articles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- A minimum of 5 years experience in a diagnostic laboratory, preferably with some leadership experience
- Experience in a multi-disciplinary laboratory
- A keen attitude to grow and develop within the role
- Ability to question and show an inquisitive mind to challenge the routine to find better pathways forward.
Working at Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.
How to Apply
To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers’ portal. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kerri McCarthy at Kerri.McCarthy@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.