Careers in Quality

Clinical Laboratory Geneticist

Cancer Genetics & Genomics Laboratory

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Regular, Part-time/Full-Time (up to 1.0 FTE)

BC Cancer

Vancouver, BC

The Cancer Genetics & Genomics Laboratory (CGL) is seeking motivated Clinical Laboratory Geneticists with demonstrated expertise and interest in cancer genetics. Candidates must hold a PhD in Genetics or related field, and be certified in both cytogenetics and molecular genetics by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) and/or the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) although candidates who have completed their training but are awaiting certification will also be considered.

BC Cancer provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia in partnership with regional health authorities to deliver a range of cancer services, which include prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. It operates six regional cancer centers in Vancouver, Surrey, Kelowna, Victoria, Abbotsford and Prince George, and conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer. BC Cancer is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), which plans, manages and evaluates specialty and province-wide health care services across BC. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. These include: Patients first, Best Value, Results matter, Excellence through knowledge and openness to possibilities.

CGL is the province’s only full service oncology focused genetics laboratory. As currently staffed, CGL has a core complement of approximately 40 individuals comprising the full spectrum of laboratory professionals from MLAs to laboratory geneticists and pathologists. As a core service within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the laboratory harnesses the diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic power of genetics to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cancer within the province. CGL is first and foremost a service lab and central to the laboratory’s mission is the diagnosis and management of both chronic and acute hematologic malignancies, such as ALL, AML, CML, and lymphoma, as well as variety of solid tumours including lung, colorectal, melanoma, ovarian and prostate. In the constitutional genetics space, the laboratory is responsible for an ever-growing demand for NGS based mutation screens in the context of known or suspected inherited cancer predisposition syndromes.

The successful candidates will have an exceptionally strong background in wet lab genetics, are expected to be independent and critical thinkers who are not shy about pushing the boundaries of laboratory genetics, and genuinely understand, at a base level, what underpins the results being communicated to our clinical colleagues. Qualifications dependent, the successful candidates will be expected to cover the full breadth of tests offered by CGL including FISH and marrow based karyotype analyses, optical genome mapping (in development), capillary electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing as well as amplicon/capture based NGS, QPCR, Q-RTPCR, ddPCR, and dd-RTPCR. 

The successful candidates will be recommended for an appointment within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and will be expected to participate in teaching residents, postgraduate trainees, and undergraduate medical students.

Collaborative research with discovery scientists, oncologists, and industry partners is well established, and all members of our medical staff are encouraged to pursue clinical, translational, or fundamental research related to cancer in addition to their service work.

Participation in departmental/laboratory based quality assurance and quality improvement programs is expected. Candidates are also expected to fully participate in new and/or ongoing tech development initiatives within the laboratory.

Salary and benefits will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Successful candidates will have:

• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

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.
• Salaried Physicians enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Salaried Physicians receive annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• 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.

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

(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 – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

BC Cancer is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. BC Cancer provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia in partnership with regional health authorities to deliver a range of cancer services, which include prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. It operates six regional cancer centres in Surrey, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford and Prince George, along with two research centres that conduct research into the causes and cures for cancer.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) which plans, manages and evaluates specialty and province-wide health care services across BC. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. These include: Respect people • Be compassionate • Dare to innovate • Cultivate partnerships • Serve with purpose.

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

For more information on all that the PHSA has to offer, please visit: http://careers.phsa.ca

For more information about BC Cancer, please visit: www.bccancer.bc.ca

Please send your application, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three referees to:

Ms. Lily Yuen

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Cancer

Telephone: 604-877-6000 ex 672073   Fax: 604-877-6178

Email: lyuen@bccancer.bc.ca

About PHSA

PHSA - The Provincial Health Services Authority #200 – 1333 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4C1

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