Toxicology Technologist

Role Responsibilities

Are you a highly detail-oriented laboratory professional who thrives on scientific problem-solving and takes pride in producing accurate, defensible results that support the administration of justice?

As a Toxicology Technologist with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), you will play a critical role in death investigations by conducting specialized toxicological analyses on biological samples and other evidence. Your work will help determine the presence and concentration of alcohol, drugs, metabolites, and other toxic substances that may have contributed to a death under investigation. The results you generate may be relied upon in legal proceedings and court testimony, making accuracy, integrity, and attention to detail essential to success in this role.

 In this position, you will:

• 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 ideal candidate will bring:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, engineers, and service technicians.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, high-volume laboratory environment.
• Sound problem-solving and troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve analytical or instrumentation issues.
• A commitment to health, safety, and quality standards in all aspects of laboratory operations.
  
  

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

• 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

Required: Two-year technical diploma in a related field (e.g. Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Chemical Technology, Laboratory Research, Biotechnology) plus four years of related experience in a busy laboratory.

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.

Special Considerations: This position is being advertised at the current classification's minimum recruitment standards. If the position cannot be filled at the Technologies 5 classification level, the hiring manager may consider candidates who meet the qualifications for a lower classification and salary as a temporary underfill.

Assets

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• A Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) Diploma.
• Experience extracting and purifying drugs and other toxins from biological samples or chemical solutions.
• Experience working in a laboratory environment and adhering to health and safety regulations while handling chemicals, biological materials, and specialized equipment.
• Knowledge of, and experience using, 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 through the interpretation of liquid and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry chromatograms.

Cover Letter Preference: In your cover letter, please clearly describe why you are a strong candidate for this position, highlighting the transferable skills and experience you have developed through your current and past professional roles. Your cover letter will be evaluated for clarity, communication skills, and attention to detail. Applications submitted with a cover letter will be given preference.

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

Notes

Position Information:

• Vacancy: One permanent, full-time position
• Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 8:15 am – 4:30 pm (36.25/week)
• Location: Medical Examiner Building 7007 – 116 Street N.W, Edmonton, Alberta
• 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 criminal records check (CRC).

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 we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.