Technical Specialist – Molecular Diagnostic Genetics, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital

• New Zealand’s leading hospital laboratory
• 1.0 FTE position
• Dedicated friendly team

Ko wai mātou | Our Organisation

At Health NZ | Te Toka Tumai we are committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and providing culturally safe care. We value role modelling manaakitanga as demonstrated by Ngāti Whātua in the gifting of their whenua on which our hospitals stand. We aspire to having a workforce reflective of the communities we serve and achieving equitable outcomes for all.

LabPLUS is an IANZ accredited medical laboratory and is one of New Zealand's premier laboratories. LabPLUS are part of the state-owned Health NZ | Te Toka Tumai. We offer a comprehensive pathology service for Auckland City Hospital, Starship Children’s Hospital, National Women's Health, and the Greenlane Clinical Centre. LabPLUS is also a major referral laboratory for specialised laboratory tests for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Visit our website www.labplus.co.nz for more information. 

The Diagnostic Genetics laboratory provides a comprehensive service using both cytogenetic and molecular genetics techniques enabling us to resolve clinical diagnoses with a genetic component. We analyse pre- and post-natal samples, providing predictive testing, and confirmation of a clinical diagnosis in the management of a spectrum of both malignant and inherited disorders. Our portfolio of tests is constantly being upgraded with a view to reducing turnaround times and enhancing our tests to take into account new technologies and approaches in line with international clinical and research data.

Te whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity

The Diagnostic Genetics department at LabPLUS has a great opportunity for a Technical Specialist in the Molecular Genetics team, specialising in Variant Curation. The Molecular Genetics team provides a service for germline genetic disorders for the greater Auckland region and beyond. The team specialises providing testing for the inherited causes of cancer predisposition, monogenic diabetes, cardiac, metabolic and neurological disorders. The Molecular Genetics team work in a dynamic environment with close clinical interaction, and new test development is always in the pipeline.

The Variant Curation Technical specialist will take a lead role in the oversight and delivery of germline variant curation in the Molecular Genetics team, and help develop variant curation expertise within the Diagnostic Genetics department.

In this role, you will use your specialist technical and scientific skills to oversee the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures and training manuals whilst keeping up to date with changing curation guidelines. You will train and mentor lab staff, and provide technical advice to clinicians. You will also be involved in the validation and implementation of new software relevant to variant curation.

In addition to variant curation activities you will help deliver our routine diagnostic service, maintaining technical and scientific competency within the laboratory, provide help with troubleshooting and attend multidisciplinary meetings. Although this role is based in the Molecular Genetics section of our department, you may be required to work in any section of the Diagnostic Genetics laboratory.

This is a key role for the department and will be supported by the Section Leader of Molecular Genetics and the Scientist Unit Manager of Diagnostic Genetics.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take your career to the next step and work in a fast-paced and supportive learning environment.

To be successful in this role, you should meet the below criteria:

The position would suit if you have:

• A passion for excellent service delivery.
• Experience with project management and assay development.
• A comprehensive knowledge of the ACMG guidelines.
• Experience with variant curation and Next Generation Sequencing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Adaptive nature to thrive in highly dynamic team
• Experience training staff

For more information about this position please contact Pippa Grainger, Scientist Unit Manager, Diagnostic Genetics, LabPLUS on pgrainger@adhb.govt.nz or Rebecca Lopes, Section Leader of Molecular Genetics, Diagnostic Genetics, LabPlus on rlopes@adhb.govt.nz.

Click here to view the position description

Nga Pūkenga Motuhake | Important Skills

To be successful in this role you will have the following skills and attributes:

• Qualified Medical Laboratory Scientist registered with the Medical Sciences Council of NZ and current APC.
• Extensive experience curating germline variants using the ACMG/AMP guidelines and ClinGen VCEP specific criteria.
• In depth knowledge of genetic/genomic technologies including NGS, Sanger Sequencing and MLPA
• A minimum of 3 years experience in a medical laboratory carrying out molecular diagnostic techniques is essential.
• A methodical and organised approach to work with a keen focus on accuracy and data quality.
• Good knowledge of the ISO15189 standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Flexibility to suit the service demands with the ability to prioritise and deliver to deadlines.
• Working knowledge of computer based systems within the context of a Medical Laboratory.

We are a values based and inclusive organisation that is committed to deliver the best health outcomes for our total population. To do this we are working hard to develop a robust and capable workforce that reflects the population we serve. We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds with the necessary capability and who share our values to apply and would greatly value seeing more applicants from our Māori & Pacific communities. Our organisation values diversity, inclusivity and empathy. If you do too, apply now and join us to make a positive difference and to “do your life’s best work at Auckland DHB”. 

He aha ngā painga o tēnei mahi mōu | Why you will enjoy working here

Health NZ | Te Toka Tumai is one of the leading healthcare providers in New Zealand offering a wide range of tertiary and quaternary clinical services to a large and diverse population. We have state of the art facilities and provide our services from three hospitals – Auckland City Hospital, Starship Children’s Health and Greenlane Clinical Centre.

For more information on what we offer, please click here

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please click on the ‘Apply’ tab below and submit your application online attaching your updated CV and Covering Letter. Please submit your application online, outlining your experience and motivation to apply to this role.

For help with your application please email, Aaron Chamberlain, Recruitment Consultant on aaron.chamberlain@tewhatuora.govt.nz quoting ref #ADHB22201

Click here to view details about our recruitment process

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