Make an Impact Where It Matters Most — Join Us in Powell River, BC!
Calling all Medical Lab Assistants! Ready to bring your skills somewhere they truly make a difference? Come to Beautiful British Columbia, Powell River
We’re inviting passionate, patient-centered professionals like you to be part of something bigger—help shape the future of health care while living on BC’s spectacular Sunshine Coast. Powell River is more than a destination—it’s a lifestyle, a community, and a chance to grow both professionally and personally.
Why This Role, Why Now?
In Powell River, you’re not just processing samples—you’re part of a small but mighty team delivering critical care in a tight-knit community. You’ll work alongside technologists, physicians, nurse clinicians, and fellow lab professionals who are all driven by the same goal: to deliver world-class diagnostics and compassionate care where it’s needed most.
Whether you’re a new grad eager to jump in or a seasoned Medical Lab Assistant ready for a lifestyle change, you’ll find a home here—with support, opportunities to grow, and a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives every single day.
Why you’ll love working with us in town of Powell River Regional District of qathet as a Medical Lab Assistant
- Grow your career – Develop your skills in a supportive environment with strong local leadership and a collaborative team of healthcare professionals.
- Make a real impact – Deliver essential, high-quality diagnostic care that directly improves patient outcomes in your local community.
- Be part of a collaborative team – Work alongside passionate technologists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals focused on innovation and compassionate care.
- Earn great pay and benefits – Enjoy $31.06/hour and percentage in lieu
- Live the ultimate West Coast lifestyle – Skip traffic, enjoy affordable coastal living, explore outdoor paradise with beaches, trails, hiking, rock climbing in and kayaking after work, experience vibrant arts and cultural festivals, and stay connected with easy ferry access to Vancouver and Vancouver Island
What you’ll do
As a key part of our laboratory team, you will:
- Receive patients and examine test requisition/s to confirm patient demographics are current, checks for physician's signature, enters demographics into Laboratory Information system, prints label indicating patient information such as referring physician, name and test and affixes to requisition. Explain procedure for collection of laboratory specimens and responds to routine inquiries.
- Greet, identify and prepare patients for specified tests; collect blood specimens by performing venipuncture and skin puncture in accordance with established procedures, labels specimens with required information and ensures safe disposal of sharps and other material as required. Perform routine lab tests such as urine tests for protein and/or glucose using colour coded dip sticks.
- Prepare specimens such as blood and urine for analysis. Check specimen identification against requisition, identifies whether additional tests or special testing is required. Separate serum or plasma from cells by centrifugation and prepares blood films by spreading blood specimen onto slide. Forward to Technologist for analysis.
- Receive specimens, spin down and split specimens into different containers, sort and labels for testing, logs data into a computerized database and batches specimens in order of established priorities for distribution to applicable area. Store analyzed specimens and discards outdated specimens as directed in accordance with established facility procedures.
- Arrange for the shipment of specimens to referral laboratories. Complete forms, packages specimens in accordance with safe procedures and regulations outlined in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. Contact courier, air transport or alternate carriers.
- Perform routine electrocardiogram testing where required; explains procedure to patient, attaches electrodes to patient and operates electrocardiograph in accordance with established procedures. Check results for normal/abnormal readings, monitors and documents data such as position of patient, physical reactions and number of leads used to assist physician in interpreting data.
- Answer telephones, take and relay messages, pages laboratory and medical staff as required, relays test results, slots patients into available appointments and makes arrangements for patient testing. Respond to general enquiries from patients, nursing wards or external facilities or refers calls of a specific nature to appropriate personnel.
- Key a variety of data into computerized databases/on-line systems such as billing information and laboratory results; print off various reports, labels, blood collection lists, etc. as required. Sort, file and distribute laboratory reports upon request.
- Maintain work area by methods such as cleaning blood collection baskets, wiping down counters/work benches with disinfectant, identify depleting stock and notifies supervisor for order placements.
- Maintain sufficient levels of stationery supplies according to predetermined levels; identify depleted items, completes internal requisitions to order replacement items, verifies receipt of items by comparing order to purchase order and stocks shelves.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
What you’ll bring
- Grade 12
- Completion of a Medical Laboratory Assistant training program plus one year's recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Typing speed of 25 wpm (Ability to successfully complete the online English and Typing assessment)
- Willingness to live, work and grow your career in Powell River
- Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
Core Competencies
- Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
- Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).
Skills & Knowledge
- Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
- Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
Job Type: Casual, Part-Time
Wage: $31.06 / Hour
Location: 5000 Joyce Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 5R3
Closing Date: Applications Accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: Varying days and start times - 0700-1500, 0730-1530, 0800-1600, 0830-1630, 1200-0800 (Rotating)
Requisition #: 203562E
Ready to Make the Move?
Be more than a Lab Assistant—be a life changer.
Join a team where your career growth, meaningful work, and coastal lifestyle all come together. Whether you’re launching your career or seeking your next big adventure, Powell River is where your impact begins.
Phlebotomists, Laboratory Assistant, Lab Assistant, Medical Lab Assistant and Medical Laboratory Assistants apply now and start living the difference you make—every single day.
To learn more please contact [email protected] or apply online
What we do
Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS), part of Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), is at the forefront of diagnostic testing in BC, operating across 31 sites in the Lower Mainland and Central Coast. From hospitals to specialty labs within Vancouver Coastal Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, Fraser Health Authority, and Providence Health Care, our dedicated teams deliver fast, accurate results that drive critical patient care and medical innovation. Whether detecting diseases, guiding treatments, or supporting groundbreaking research, PLMS plays a vital role in advancing healthcare and saving lives across the province
The Provincial Health Services Authority (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 – Create equity – Be courageous.
Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services
PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.
