October 17, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 1 of 6

IDENTIFICATION

Department Position Title

Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Medical Laboratory Assistant

Position Number(s) Community Division/Region(s)

17-11036 Yellowknife Laboratory Services/Stanton

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Medical Laboratory Assistant collects, sorts, processes and distributes laboratory samples and maintains patient results within the Laboratory of Stanton. They work in accordance with established laboratory practices and philosophy and objectives of the NTHSSA to ensure that medical and other professionals have the test results necessary to diagnose, treat and manage disease.

SCOPE

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) is the single provider of all health and social services in the Northwest Territories (NWT), with the exception of Hay River and Tłı̨chǫ regions, covering 1.2 million square kilometers and serving approximately 43,000 people, including First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and non-aboriginals. Health and social services includes the full range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services and social services including family services, protection services, care placements, mental health, addictions, and developmental activities, delivered by more than 1,400 health and social services staff.

While the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency (TCSA) will operate under a separate board and Hay River Health and Social Services Agency (HRHSSA) will in the interim, the NTHSSA will set clinical standards, procedures, guidelines and monitoring for the entire Northwest Territories. Service Agreements will be established with these boards to identify performance requirements and adherence to clinical standards, procedures, guidelines and policies as established by the NTHSSA.

October 17, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 2 of 6

Under the direction of the Minister of Health and Social Services, the NTHSSA is established to move toward one integrated delivery system as part of the government’s transformation strategy. Stanton Territorial Hospital is an accredited facility, located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT). Stanton is the referral center for approximately 43,000 NWT residents and 5,900 residents from the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut. Stanton provides health care services to adults and children on an inpatient/outpatient and outreach basis in order to restore health with dignity. Stanton maintains a tobacco free environment within the building and throughout the property, recognizing the health hazards associated with tobacco in the workplace, both to smokers and non-smokers alike. Located within Stanton and reporting directly to the Supervisor, Laboratory Services, the incumbent works as one of 5 Medical Laboratory Assistants in the specimen processing/receiving area of the Core Laboratory, microbiology and satellite laboratory striving to maintain a consistent flow of laboratory samples and reports, in and out of the Laboratory. The incumbent rotates on weekly basis to the provide collection services at the off-site collection site located at Yellowknife Primary Care Centre. The Laboratory consists of 5 Laboratory Technologists - Microbiology, 7 Laboratory Technologists - Core Laboratory and 3 Technologist II's. These services are provided on a seven-day per week rotational basis, 06:30 hrs. – 23:00 hrs. In addition to providing laboratory services to Stanton the Core Laboratory Section provides services to:

• 3 hospitals within the Northwest Territories; • 21 Health Centres located in the NWT; • medical clinics Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA)

and Stanton • the Department of H&SS-Office of the Chief Public Health Officer's Office; • a variety of businesses located in the north including but not limited to mining, private

contracting and public works. The Laboratory Assistant provides services to 100 inpatients and outpatients daily, ranging from low to high risk, handles and sorts 200 referred in laboratory samples daily and prepares for transportation of 100 samples daily to a southern laboratory. RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Collects laboratory samples and performs diagnostic tests, such as glucose point of care testing on patients as part of the health care team. • Collect blood using a closed collection system (e.g. Vacutainer system), needle with

syringe, and/or micro-collection techniques following standard precautions. • Provides instructions to patients on the proper collection of biological samples to

achieve quality or results.

October 17, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 3 of 6

• Performs electrocardiograms (ECGs) following established standards of practice. • Prepare samples for analysis (e.g. inoculates samples to grow microorganisms for

medical laboratory technologists to analyze). • Instrumentation preparation (e.g. Vitek microorganism analysis). • Prepares slides for Gram staining and performs staining of slides. • Other related duties as required by the Laboratory Supervisor. • Prepare biological samples for transportation to southern referral laboratories,

adhering to established International Dangerous Goods Regulations. • Sorts and distributes biological samples collected within Stanton and Yellowknife

Primary Care Centre (off-site collection site) as well as biological samples referred in from other health facilities within the NWT using established standards of practice.

• Assist the Laboratory Supervisor to maintain and order inventory required for the laboratory.

• Performs laboratory equipment monitoring, cleaning and maintenance, such as glucometers, ECG machine, centrifuges and refrigerators.

2. Access a computerized database of patient files to enable the distribution and

tracking of patient results/reports. • Distribute reports to nursing units, health centers, hospital and clinics, • Verify "referred out" testing invoices, and • Provide clerical support functions to the laboratory (i.e., faxing, photocopying),

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

The majority of the incumbent's time (4 - 7 hours/day) will be spent providing direct hands on patient contact collecting biological samples. This will involve standing in awkward positions, bending over patients and work benches and walking to nursing units to collect samples which may cause significant levels of physical stress on the incumbent. In addition, the incumbent will be packaging samples which involves lifting and moving boxes and packages ranging from small to large. Environmental Conditions

The incumbent works with and is continuously exposed (4 - 7 hours per day) to infectious agents such as biological samples, human waste, unpleasant odors, sharps, chemicals and toxic or corrosive agents used during the performance of duties which can lead to headaches, nausea or ill health. Within Stanton Laboratory there is a significant amount of "white noise" resulting from a large number of fans and loud equipment which may cause headaches and distraction within the work unit.

October 17, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 4 of 6

Sensory Demands

Short but frequent periods of concentration are required for the obtaining and packaging of biological samples. Due to the nature of the work (i.e. collecting blood) the incumbent must have a developed sense of touch in order to locate the vein and accurately insert a needle. Mental Demands

Within the health care setting there is a significant lack of control over the work pace, with frequent interruptions and unrealistic demands (i.e. collect and or deliver samples in unreasonable time frame) that may lead to mental fatigue or stress. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Basic knowledge of laboratory medicine with a focus on core laboratory functions, principles, and standards of practice including venipuncture, ECGs, medical terminology and the ability to operate and understand complex sample preparation and collection processes in order to basic analyte testing preparation, aid medical laboratory technologist and assist medical and non-medical professionals in advising patients for testing preparation

• An ability to operate computerized and mechanical laboratory equipment in order to do set up for analysis of biological samples.

• Knowledge of and an ability to input and retrieve information from Laboratory Information Systems.

• An ability to operate desktop computers in order to produce written documents (word- processing), send and receive electronic mail and conduct research over the internet.

• The incumbent must be able to communicate effectively. This includes being able to get one's point across to both medical and non-medical individuals.

• The incumbent must be aware of the importance of confidentiality and be able to keep personal and medical information private and confidential at all times.

• An ability to manipulate small samples an ability to quickly recognize atypical laboratory findings and initiate the appropriate action.

• Knowledge of education principles related to adult learners in order to develop and deliver subject specific training and development.

• The incumbent is exposed to emotionally disturbing situations and is expected to remain calm, controlled and professional, regardless of the situation and demonstrate care and compassion to the client/patient and other members of the health care team.

Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by:

This level of knowledge is typically acquired through the successful completion of a recognized Medical Laboratory Assistant Program at a minimum of a certificate and registration with the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Sciences (CSMLS) as a Medical Laboratory Assistant. Incumbent must maintain active registration with the Canadian Society

October 17, 2017 GNWT Job Description Page 5 of 6

of Medical Laboratory Science as a Registered Medical Laboratory Assistant throughout the term of employment. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Stanton Territorial Hospital Requirements Within Stanton, all health care providers must be able to acquire within a reasonable time frame and remain current with the following mandatory certifications:

• Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS)• N95 Fit Testing• Internet and E-mail application• Fire training• Privacy and confidentiality• Emergency Response Codes• Glucometer Certification• Infection Control Training• Workplace Bullying• Transport of Dangerous Goods

Position Security (check one)

☐ No criminal records check required ☐ Position of Trust – criminal records check required ☒ Highly sensitive position – requires verification of identity and a criminal records check

French language (check one if applicable)

☐ French required (must identify required level below) Level required for this Designated Position is:

ORAL EXPRESSION AND COMPREHENSION Basic (B) ☐ Intermediate (I) ☐ Advanced (A) ☐

READING COMPREHENSION: Basic (B) ☐ Intermediate (I) ☐ Advanced (A) ☐

WRITING SKILLS: Basic (B) ☐ Intermediate (I) ☐ Advanced (A) ☐

☐ French preferred

Aboriginal language: To choose a language, click here.

☐ Required ☐ Preferred