Public Health Technologist, Bacteriology and Mycology

Public Health Technologist, Bacteriology and Mycology - Vancouver British Columbia

Casual Position

The Technologist performs technical procedures involved in the Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory. The Technologist isolates, identifies and subtypes bacteria, yeast, viruses and other pathogens from specimens using biochemical, serological and molecular methods. Performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing, evaluates and verifies results, and prepares related reports.

Why You’ll Love This Opportunity

• Live & Work in BC’s Lower Mainland- Enjoy the best of both worlds - world-class healthcare facilities, diverse communities, and unparalleled access to mountains, ocean, transit, and international travel. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant city living or family-friendly neighbourhoods, the Lower Mainland offers flexibility for every lifestyle.
• Grow Your Career in a Collaborative, Quality-Driven Team- Work alongside a close-knit team of Technologists who are skilled, who value quality assurance, continuous improvement, and shared expertise.
• You’ll be supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow.
  
  

What You’ll Do

• Participates in day-to-day work activities in Bacteriology and Mycology by testing clinical and other specimens using various microscopy methods, bacterial culture, mycology culture, mass spectrometry and nucleic acid techniques, and evaluating and verifying results according to established procedures.
• Identifies cell types, bacteria, fungi and yeast, using the Gram stain, fluorescent microscopy and molecular techniques and reports results using the results to interpret specimen quality and various pathological processes.
• Identifies and subtypes pathogens by serotyping and molecular techniques such as PCR, next generation sequencing and other methods.4. Performs bacterial culture, judge bacterial growth both qualitatively and quantitatively, and, using a variety of techniques, determines the significance of the culture results5. Performs susceptibility testing and uses available resources to accept results or perform additional testing if necessary; recognises when to report or suppress susceptibility testing results.
• 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, Site Supervisor, Laboratory Operations Manager, or Program Head/Medical Microbiologist 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 clinical results and troubleshoots specimen adequacy 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) 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, clerks, medical lab assistants and technologists.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

What you bring

• Successful completion of recognized competency assessment exam and registration in the field of Clinical Microbiology in accordance with the Canadian Alliance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Regulators (CAMLPR) pathways, or certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).
• One (1) year of recent related Microbiology (biological science) experience including experience in a research based laboratory or an equivalent combination of education, training and recent related experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services contexts found in the foundational documents 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 - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
  
  

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness 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.).
  
  

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong technical expertise with exceptional attention to detail
• Demonstrated knowledge of with molecular techniques and susceptibility testing.
• Excellent organization, communication, and collaboration skills
• Ability to organize and priortize workload.
• Ability to deal effectively with others.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
  
  

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: Casual

Wage: $38.93 to $48.59 / Hour + Benefits in lieu depending on the position

Location: 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4

Closing Date: Applications accepted until filled

Hours of Work: 0815-1630/0915-1730 Rotating. You may be required to work nights, days, evenings and weekends depending on the nature of the position and the department needs 

Requisition # 206598E

What We Do

Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS), part of Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), is at the forefront of diagnostic testing in BC, operating across 31 sites in the Lower Mainland and Central Coast. From hospitals to specialty labs within Vancouver Coastal Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, Fraser Health Authority, and Providence Health Care, our dedicated teams deliver fast, accurate results that drive critical patient care and medical innovation. Whether detecting diseases, guiding treatments, or supporting groundbreaking research, PLMS plays a vital role in advancing healthcare and saving lives across the province

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 – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the 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 internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date November 19th 2026. 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 internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. A Help Desk Representative will respond to your inquiry within 1-2 business days.