Laboratory Assistant Grade 3 - Molecular Pathology
MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000
At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE
Laboratory Assistant Grade 3
Full Time, Ongoing Role - 80 Hours per Fortnight
• Parkville location, with multiple public transport options available
• Salary range $66K + salary packaging + super + 5 weeks annual leave
• Monthly ADO's
The Molecular Pathology Laboratory in the Department of Pathology is looking for a laboratory assistant to join our team to support the molecular diagnostic service. The ongoing full-time position presents an exciting opportunity to gain invaluable experience in this rapidly growing field.
You will support the Molecular Pathology Laboratory to provide the highest quality of molecular services to the patients of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and its external clients through the provision of day-to-day laboratory support. A regular day will see you involved in:
• Routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and coordinating pipette calibration.
• Managing laboratory inventory including performing regular stocktake, monitoring stock expiry and rotation, receipt of deliveries, restocking of laboratory areas.
• General laboratory duties including waste management, workstation decontamination, and preparation of reagents and chemicals.
• Specimen receipt, accessioning and filing.
Victorian Department of Health has endorsed the initiative to restructure existing public pathology by bringing together laboratories into pathology networks operating under a lead health service. Pathology services from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital will transition to a single pathology service. This creates an exciting opportunity to strengthen the scope, scale and reach of pathology services across the Parkville precinct to benefit all Victorians. This role will transition to the new pathology service which will be led by Melbourne Health.
Remuneration as per Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administrative Workers (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021-2025. Grade 3: $65,754 (full-time equivalent - to be prorated for Part Time). To be discussed with Hiring Manager.
Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relevant key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.
Hiring Manager: Georgina Ryland
Contact Number: 03 8559 6607
Email: georgina.ryland@petermac.org
Applications Close: 11:59PM Thursday 23 October 2025
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Position Summary
To support the Molecular Pathology Laboratory to provide the highest quality of molecular services to the patients of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and its external clients. This position does not require a technical knowledge in any specific area. Key duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and coordinating pipette calibration.
- managing laboratory inventory including performing regular stocktake, monitoring stock expiry and rotation, receipt of deliveries, restocking of laboratory areas.
- general laboratory duties including waste management, workstation decontamination, and preparation of reagents and chemicals.
- specimen receipt, accessioning and filing.
Enterprise Agreement
Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administrative Workers (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021-2025
Classification or Salary Range
IV18 - IV9
Immunisation Risk Category
Immunisation Category A
Key Relationships
| Internal | Clinicians, genetic counsellors, researchers, and pathology scientists |
| External | Clinicians, external clients and institutions |
Skills
Essential Requirements
- Professional approach to patient pathology service confidentiality
- Good attention to detail
- Demonstrable ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
- Demonstrable skills in communication
- Demonstrable experience in MS Office products and Internet
Desirable Requirements
- Demonstrable understanding of pathology and medical terminology
- Demonstrable understanding of laboratory procedures, safety protocols, and quality best practices
- Prior experience working in a diagnostic pathology laboratory
- Prior experience with pathology LIMS
Key Accountabilities
| Key Accountabilities | Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators |
| 1. Performs general laboratory duties | • Laboratory duties performed daily including reagent preparation, waste disposal, reagent & consumables restocking, maintaining laboratory tidiness. • Administrative duties as required. |
| 2. Laboratory inventory management | • Stocktake, ordering and receipt of laboratory reagents & consumables. |
| 3. Maintenance of equipment | • All equipment general maintenance (including pipette sendout) performed and recorded in accordance with equipment and procedure manuals. • Coordination of pipette calibration and servicing (work with external contract for efficient send out and return of units). |
| 4. Database entry of patient requests/information into pathology laboratory systems | • Prompt and accurate data entry. Uses relevant pathology-related programs, packages and functions to keep track of and complete tasks effectively and efficiently. |
| 5. Sourcing and receipting of pathological specimens for testing from external laboratories | • Accurate and timely request, follow up and distribution upon receipt of pathological materials. |
| 6. Screens incoming telephone calls and directs telephone enquiries | • Ensures phones are covered at all times and refers calls appropriately. |
| 7. Prioritises work in response to departmental needs | • All tasks completed within appropriate and specified time frames. |
| 8. Work practices are in accordance with the laboratory quality systems and procedures | • Ensures that work practices are in accordance with the laboratory quality systems and procedures at all times. • Ensures that laboratory documentation is up to date at all times. • Works cooperatively with the Quality Manager. |
| 9. Recognises and reports any laboratory problems to senior scientific staff | • Seeks the advice of the senior scientific staff to solve any technical problems in the laboratory. |
| 10. Works as part of a team | • Communicates and cooperates with co-workers to ensure work is completed within appropriate timeframes. |
| 11. Conduct is ethical | • Acts in accordance with Institute ethical guidelines and those established by relevant bodies including NATA, NPAAC, RCPA. • Patient confidentiality and privacy is protected. |
| 12. Work is performed safely | • Ensures that all work practices are safe and conform to Institute OH&S guidelines and standards. |
| 13. Professional approach to work | • Acts in accordance with Institute policy in all matters. |
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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.