Toxicology Technologist

Role Responsibilities

The Office of the Medical Examiner is looking to fill a permanent Toxicology Technician position. The Toxicology Technicians will conduct toxicology analysis to detect, identify and accurately quantify alcohol, drugs, and other toxins in biological (ante-mortem and/or post-mortem) samples and occasionally drug paraphernalia material for the purpose of determining their direct and indirect involvement in fatalities under investigation.

Position Overview:

• Extract and purify drugs and other toxins from blood, tissues, and paraphernalia.
• Identify and quantify drugs, drug metabolites and other toxins by interpreting liquid and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry chromatograms.
• Accurately prepare analytical standards and controls.
• Perform mathematical calculations and construct calibration graphs.
• Perform routine maintenance on specialized equipment.
• Adhere to Health & Safety regulations by safely performing all duties and handling all chemicals and equipment, as required.

The successful candidate will:

• Have knowledge and experience in quality control procedures and safe handling of potentially infectious biological specimens.
• Possess good communication skills (both verbal and written) and be able to liaise with engineers when required.
• Be meticulous and pay careful attention to maintain a high level of accuracy.
• Be able to manage a heavy workload.

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

APS Competencies

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 – Observes and understands the larger impact of the role on the organization and anticipates change.
• Agility – Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks and identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same.
• Drive for Results – Works to exceed goals and partner with others to achieve objectives of the branch. 
• Build Collaborative Environments – Facilitates open communication and leverages team skills and knowledge of others. 

Qualifications

A technical diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology and a minimum of 4 years related experience. Equivalencies that will be considered are Chemical Technology and/or Laboratory Research and Biotechnology

Equivalencies may be considered:
Degree and a minimum of 2 years related minimum experience.

Required:

• Experience in extraction and purifying drug and other toxins from blood, tissues, and paraphernalia.
• Experience adhering to Health and Safety regulations required in a laboratory setting performing all duties and handling chemicals and equipment. 
• Medical Laboratory Technology diploma.

Assets:

• Knowledge and experience in the use of LC-MS and/or GC-MS techniques for the quantification of drugs in biological specimens.
• Experience identifying and quantifying drugs, drug metabolites and other toxins by interpreting liquid and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry chromatograms.
• Post graduate experience working in a busy medical (or similar) laboratory. 

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.

Notes

Hours of work:  Monday – Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25/week).

Positions currently available: One (1) permanent position.

Location: Medical Examiner Building 7007 – 116 Street N.W. Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5R8.

The environment at OCME is fast paced and can be emotionally charged. Postmortem examinations are completed on-site, and the candidate needs to be aware and be prepared to work in this type of environment.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

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.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• 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 agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.