The Department Of Laboratory Medicine At St. Michael’s Hospital (SMH) Provides Comprehensive Testing For Patients Across All Disciplines Of Laboratory Medicine. Currently a Number Of Methodologies Are Being Performed Including, Real Time PCR, Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), And Methylation Assessment, Among Others. The Molecular Laboratory Seeks To Expand And Enhance Its Functionality In Order To

• Provide cutting edge molecular based diagnostic services with increased capacity, breadth of testing and decreased turnaround times;
• Improve test utilization and cost effectiveness;
• Stimulate and foster the development of research initiatives across the department.
• Expand testing to include Next Generation Sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore
• Perform bioinformatics analysis of sequencing reads and help clinicians (e.g. pathologists) in variant calling to aid clinical decisions .

Responsibilities

• Uses subject matter expertise on the theoretical and technical aspects of molecular diagnostic assays to run next generation sequencing for the purpose of somatic genetic testing
• Designs and brings on new commercially available and innovative in-house developed assays;
• Uses a project manager approach because diagnostic assay is approached as a project requiring every new diagnostic assay going involving the following stages: development, validation, optimization and implementation;
• Ensures the development of cutting edge clinical molecular diagnostic assays, that spans a vast array of methodologies, including:
• nucleic acid amplification techniques, e.g., PCR, FISH, nucleic acid sequencing, whole genome sequencing and next generation sequencing;
• development of computer based tools, e.g., software, databases, etc., that can be used to improve and automate data analysis;
• Performs validation, e.g., one time process whereby 4 to 6 different performance characteristics of a diagnostic assay is evaluated, this occurs as a prerequisite to assay implementation
• Performs optimization, which is a process to improve functionality, performance and/or efficiency of a diagnostic assay, involving leading, designing and executing the optimization of currently employed assays, performed on an ongoing basis as new advancements are discovered;
• Performs implementation requiring the preparation of standard operating procedure documents, training of front line staff, involving working with relevant parties to implement new diagnostic assays and/or changes to current employed assays, as a result of optimization;
• Leads the preparation of Standard operating procedures (SOPs);
• Ensures staff are appropriately trained when new assays and changes to existing methods are made;
• Plans, designs and executes independent research projects initiated by and in consultation with the Director;
• Participates in collaborative research projects initiated by anyone other than the Director, for which the laboratory has been asked to participate in.
• Acts as a resource and content expert for laboratory staff, Managers, Directors and Lab Medicine Clinicians, providing the following support, under the guidance of the Laboratory Director and as a subject matter expert for molecular biology involving:
• Solving routine and complex problems, e.g., discerning a weak true positive test result from possible low level contamination; quality control failure, etc.;
• Providing technical expertise to laboratory staff, on how to perform a method on a rarely encountered specimen type; how to conduct a more advanced analysis using instrument software or web based applications, etc.;
• Troubleshooting equipment and/or assay failures, e.g.,
• PCR machine encounters an error and shuts off in the middle of a run;
• Expected positive control sample fails to perform as expected, etc.;
• Acting as the primary point person for reviewing abnormal test results; leading an investigation and providing lab staff, Manager and the Director with input on resolution, reporting results to Clinicians, in a timely manner;
• Identifying and assisting in the improvement of work flow processes for better efficiencies, e.g., improving the turnaround time for a particular assay; streamlining a method to improve productivity and decrease workload, etc.
• Perform bioinformatics analysis of sequencing reads and help clinicians ( e.g. pathologists) in variant calling to aid clinical decisions .
• Acts as the subject matter expert and technical resource lead for the laboratory requiring regular engagement in activities that maintains and grows knowledge/expertise, requiring:
• Participating in local, departmental and institutional research days, grand medical rounds, Rodderick Ross day, Lab medicine and pathology research day at U of T and other institutions, e.g., conferences, workshops and webinars, as guided by the Director;
• Reviewing PubMed/Medline literature on a regular and frequent basis to maintain up to date knowledge of clinical and technical advancements that may improve operating efficiencies, assay performance and clinical service;
• Engaging in a network with colleagues in the community and beyond to share experiences/ knowledge and cooperatively address challenges, e.g., assisting in the training of staff for a ‘partner’ health centre that is interested in learning a methodology employed in the lab; going to a ‘partner’ health centre to learn and adopt a methodology/expertise that is of interest to the lab; participating in on-line list serves, etc.;
• Shares knowledge with others, including Technologists, Technicians, Managers, Operations Leads, Directors, Clinicians and to a lesser extent the community, requiring:
• Organizing and providing teaching/education sessions, e.g., lunch and learns, presentations, etc., as assigned, for Medical Lab Technologists (MLT) Students, Medical Residents, Laboratory Staff, Managers, Operations Leads, Directors and Clinicians;
• Organizing and providing hands-on teaching/demonstration sessions to Technologist Students, Medical Residents and laboratory staff;
• Preparing and presenting project findings at departmental meetings, rounds, conferences;
• Preparing and presenting on a topic by literature review, as assigned, to various groups ranging from laboratory staff to primary care clinicians at UHT.
• Train MLTs on basic initial bioinformatics tasks
• Leads, designs and executes the optimization of currently employed assays, as new advancements are discovered in an effort to improve the performance and efficiency of diagnostic assays, which will positively impact patient care while potentially reducing operational costs, in consultation with the Director;
• Maintains involvement in process reviews arising from incidents filed in the safety and learning system, as well as involvement in the development/implementation of plans for corrective actions, as required, in order to prevent such incidents reoccurring;
• Contributes to the preparation of policies, processes and procedures within the Quality System in order to ensure effective operation/compliance with all ACDx laboratory accreditation requirements;
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives, as requested by the Director, e.g., tracking, analyzing and providing recommendations to improve turnaround time to reporting results of a particular test for which delays have been noted;
• Participates in the development of an environment where standards are continually examined against best practices.

Qualifications

• Completion of a recognized Masters of Science Degree in Molecular Biology or a related field required; completion of PhD an asset; with a Proficiency in Microsoft Office required;
• Certificate of registration from the College of Medical Laboratory Technology of Ontario (CMLTO) an asset.
• Experience training staff and/or education/experience giving lectures, workshops, etc., required;
• Strong organizational and time management skills required;
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills with a focus on ability to communicate and interact effectively with individuals from a diverse background, i.e., lay-expert, in molecular biology
• Knowledge of and hands on experience using nucleic acid primer/probe design applications and sequence analysis tools required; hands on experience working with advanced bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis and programming applications an asset
• ACD/ISO accreditation standards;
• Two (2) years recent training/work experience in molecular biology required, with experience working in a clinical diagnostic molecular laboratory an asset;
• Technical expertise in molecular biology methodologies including, but not limited to, nucleic acid extraction methods, primer and probe design, real-time-PCR, immunoblotting, RFLP analysis, FISH and cytogenetics required;
• Technical expertise in nucleic acid sequencing modalities including, but not limited to, Sanger sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing required;
• Demonstrated ability to develop, perform, interpret and troubleshoot molecular based assays required;
• Ability to be self-directed and adaptable to new technologies and processes required;
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and make decisions based on knowledge/experience required;
• Ability to demonstrate procedures to laboratory staff, Fellows/Residents and other students required;
• Ability to work well under pressure, prioritize issues/workload and complete assigned tasks required;
• Strong work ethic required;

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.