Clinical Specialist Lab

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Clinical Services, this position provides advice, expertise, applies strategic thinking and results-based methods to ensure that the Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory (DI and Lab) business plan goals and objectives are achieved with a focus on collaboratively developing, implementing, and monitoring DI and Lab standards within, and collaboratively developing, a provincial DI and Lab performance framework.
 
A key focus of the team will be the effective, high quality and safe delivery of DI and Lab across the patient journey in Alberta’s health system. Additionally, the clinical specialists work closely with a team of senior policy advisors and their manager and is also accountable for the effective and timely response to address public and patient questions, interests, and concerns. 
 
The clinical specialists also provide DI and Lab subject matter expertise to a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
 

Responsibilities:  

The clinical specialist provides expert advice on governmental Lab projects and collaborates with other team members to support the development and implementation of programs and operational policies, including management of DI and Lab governmental projects across the province, in relation to the overarching Acute Care Organization (ACO) within the Ministry of Health. Carries out short-term projects or are responsible for a component of a large DI / Lab project or initiative that may impact the branch or division. Focus on research and innovation, reporting, program analysis, legislative and policy analysis, change management, compliance, strategic engagement, stakeholder relations, and communication.

The Clinical Specialist will:
 

• Promote public safety by helping to develop provincial policy to support setting minimum legislated standards and evaluation mechanisms to assure performance standards are met.
• Provide knowledge and technical advice for the Executive Director (ED) and Director in response to requests from the Minister, Premier, Cabinet, MLAs, AHS, Covenant Health, professional colleges, unions, emergency department staff, physicians, and leadership, municipalities, boards, Ministerial appointed boards/committees, other Federal/Provincial departments/agencies.
• Provide recommendations to the ED and Director on funding new DI and Lab service requests and models of care.
• Stay current on existing and emerging DI and Lab issues to conduct literature reviews and jurisdictional scans and provide recommendations/observations via written reports, and audio/visual presentations.
• Incorporating best scientific evidence, consult on proposed and existing legislation, policies, and standards. 
• Provide interpretation and explanation of current legislation to stakeholders. 
  • The diversity of the position is such that the clinical specialist must be able to answer or act on multiple questions based on several different pieces of legislation.

Role Responsibilities Contd.

• Identify, evaluate, and support innovative DI and Lab strategies, programs, and initiatives.
• In consultation with key stakeholders, maintain DI and Lab reporting of key metrics including performance benchmarks as wait times.
• In consultation with the Director, meet/consult with internal and external stakeholders to assist in program development from a ministry perspective.
• Meet tight timelines in varied and changing workflow environment.
• As advised by the Director, provide representation and input to special projects in various ministries, divisions, branches, and units as required.
• Draft briefing notes, letters, memos, and other forms of communication that require the subject matter expertise of a clinical specialist.
• Remain competent in professional practice.
• Review, update, and develop administrative forms and supporting manuals.
• Identify performance measures and indicators.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
 

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

• Systems Thinking: The QPP DI/ Lab specialists work closely with other QPP staff members on the policy, standards and reporting in the unit. Systems thinking is a critical competency that allows translation of specialists licensing and compliance, frontline experience, and stakeholder engagement efforts to be applied to a broader policy framework.
• Create Problem Solving: Acute care is the largest and most complex sector of the health system. As such, the QPP DI/ Lab unit is required to routinely re-evaluate its approach to complex problems and potential solutions.
• Agility: The work and priorities of the DI/ Lab unit are dynamic and subject to frequent change. The DI/ Lab unit is a small team with provincial obligations requiring clinical specialists to be flexible and adaptable. 
• Develop Networks: -The DI/ Lab facilities are crucial areas that provide linkage between the primary care and acute care for most patients by providing screening, assessment, or confirmatory testings. Due to high demand, system bottlenecks are seen. As such, the QPP DI/ Lab is required to routinely re-evaluate its approach to complex problems and potential solutions.

Qualifications

University degree in a related field (Nursing, Medical, Reg. Health Provider Med Lab Science/ DI education and experience may be considered.) plus 4 years experience.
 

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Combined related experience and education will be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.
 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.
 

Knowledge:

- Strong working knowledge of diagnostic imaging and lab practices and services locally, nationally and internationally
- Diverse clinical experience as a regulated healthcare provider
- Strong working knowledge of computers and information technology systems
- A strong working knowledge of Alberta's integrated healthcare system
- Working knowledge of Alberta's legislation and policy related to health systems and acute care

Skills:

- Experience in leadership roles and functions
- Experience working with governments (municipal, provincial and federal)
- Experience conducting research and critical appraisals of evidence
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
- Strong critical analysis skills
- Conflict resolution skills
- Project and time management skills
 
Abilities:

- Able to work independently in an unsupervised (remote) environment 
- Able to work effectively as a team member
- Ability to lead projects and provide clear, concise updates to leadership
- Establish positive working relationships with varied stakeholders
 
Additional:

- Registered healthcare provider, plus 3-5 years of progressively more complex management and leadership responsibilities.
- Minimum of Bachelor's degree is required.
- Masters level training is preferred
- Equivalent education and experience may be considered.

Notes

This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week.
 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.
 

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).
 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.
 

What we offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx 
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits    
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreements.
• Leadership and mentorship programs