Job Description / Duties

Job Summary
As a core member of the Ottawa Fertility Centre’s (OFC) Management Team, the Laboratory Director is under the direct supervision of the OFC Partners. The Laboratory Director works in partnership with the leadership team to ensure effective and efficient use of financial and human resources while ultimately being responsible for the overall administration and management of the laboratories.

The Laboratory Director works with the leadership team, all physicians and staff to ensure that the Centre meets or exceeds standards and regulations associated to an ART Lab and reproductive medicine like the CPSO, Health Canada, and Accreditation Canada. The Laboratory Director serves as the scientific advisor to the medical staff of the Centre. She/he participates in the training and education of all learners concerned with the science of assisted human conception.

The Laboratory Director oversees research activities inside the lab, and directs the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) laboratory services that are critical to the success of the Centre’s programs of assisted human conception. To this purpose, she/he provides direction and supervision of all ART laboratory staff, and develops and maintains education and training programs for ART laboratory staff.

Key Responsibilities

1. Participates in ensuring the Centre meets standards of licensing and accreditation as well as all applicable Federal, provincial and regulatory agencies by:

• Working with the leadership team to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable standards and licensing requirements;
• Monitoring changes to licensing, accreditation and public health standards impacting the ART laboratory services;
• Liaising will relevant organizations on inspection and accreditation issues related to the delivery of ART laboratory services;
• Liaising with other ART laboratories to improve the Centre’s accreditation and licensing audit performance;
• Working with the leadership team to provide reports in support of licensing and accreditation processes;
• Implementing recommendations from accreditation and licensing agencies pertaining to the delivery of ART laboratory services.

2. Provides scientific leadership and maintains a research & innovation program to optimize assisted human conception services and improve patient care in the Centre by:
• Participating in the training and education of all learners concerned with the science of assisted human conception;
• Maintaining professional and technical knowledge by attending national/international meetings, educational workshops, reviewing professional publications and relevant textbooks/materials
• Participating in the Centre’s weekly Journal Club;
• Actively participating in the Centre’s research committee;
• Ensuring compliance with existing research ethical guidelines and standards;
• Acting as a resource person for research for staff and learners;
• Conceiving and directing laboratory research and innovation projects;
• Collaborating with other research scientists in ART related research projects;
• Collaborating with medical staff and other research scientists in submitting applications for research funding;
• Working with the Finance Director to optimize research tax credits;
• Presenting and publishing research and innovation findings.

3. Oversees ART laboratory activities to ensure delivery of assisted human conception services by:
• Establishing services to be offered by the laboratory;
• Evaluating clinical usefulness of new laboratory tests and procedures;
• Reviewing usefulness of laboratory tests and procedures currently provided by the laboratory;
• Formulating and implementing new laboratory tests and procedures;
• Establishing costs of laboratory services;
• Interpreting reports of laboratory results;
• Providing consultations to laboratory staff of other centres regarding tests/procedures performed in the laboratory;
• Reviewing patients' history and results of tests/procedures in order to offer an opinion about the medical significance of clinical laboratory data.

4. Develops and implements a quality management program for the ART Laboratory and ensures adherence to standards by:
• Formulating and maintaining accurate administrative and technical laboratory policies and procedures manuals;
• Maintaining laboratory methodologies in compliance with current Canadian and Ontario guidelines and regulations;
• Formulating, implementing and evaluating external and internal quality assurance & quality monitoring programs for the laboratory;
• Maintaining computer information systems to process and interpret laboratory results;
• Selecting and monitoring key performance indicators;
• Reviewing laboratory reports to ensure accuracy;
• Performing regular reviews of laboratory process outcomes and reporting the results of these reviews to the Centre’s leadership team;
• Ensuring technical and clinical quality in all aspects of laboratory operations.

5. Directs laboratory staff to ensure achievement of clinical goals and objectives by:
• Coordinates day-to-day operations, management, organization and supervision of the laboratory staff;
• Scheduling laboratory staff, and approving leaves;
• Developing and directing training programs for laboratory staff;
• Promoting continuing education programs for laboratory staff;
• Ensuring a safe workplace for laboratory staff;
• Maintaining appropriate emergency and disaster plans for laboratory staff;
• Keeping laboratory staff informed of new scientific or technical innovations;
• Setting priorities and motivating staff to excel in their performance;
• Participating in the hiring and performance appraisals of laboratory staff;
• Providing appropriate scientific and technical information to the laboratory staff;
• Maintaining quality control, ongoing performance and proficiency monitoring programs;
• Ensuring proper inventory of laboratory consumables and equipment;
• Troubleshooting all aspects of laboratory operation;
• Troubleshooting analytical problems.

6. Acts as a quality assurance consultant on matters relating to the performance of blood chemistry assays on the Centre’s patients.

7. Performs other related duties and contributes to special projects, as required.

8. Performs work in accordance with relevant provincial and federal legislation (Ontario Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, AODA, etc…) and participates in any training when required.

9. Follows Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and the Policies and Procedures at OFC

10. Safeguards all confidential information obtained and/or used during the course of work and takes reasonable precautions to protect the privacy of clients, co-workers, physicians, and management.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Qualifications and Experience

• Doctorate (PhD) in biomedical sciences in a field related to mammalian reproduction from an accredited university required
• Two years of post-doctorate training in reproductive biology
• A minimum of 5 years as a laboratory director or supervisor in Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies
• Certified and accredited by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society as a Clinical Laboratory Director
• Extensive hands-on experience in all aspects of Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies
• Experience working in an unionized environment considered an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of principles of human infertility, reproductive biology (embryology, andrology, gametogenesis), reproductive endocrinology, assisted reproductive technologies, and cryopreservation.
• Extensive knowledge of planning, design and implementation of procedural systems, laboratory instrumentation, methodology and safety; statistics and computer applications (word processor, spreadsheets, graphics, statistics).
• Extensive knowledge of existing regulations and legislation regarding human assisted conception.
• Extensive knowledge of the operations of an ART laboratory, quality and risk management, and improvement principles and practices.
• Basic knowledge of pharmacology, biochemistry and microbiology as they relate to assisted human conception.
• Basic understanding of budgetary and resource management processes.
• This position requires continuing study of new trends and developments in assisted reproductive technologies.
• Competent oral/written communication in English is required, while these skills in French are an asset.
• Comfortable in and skilled at teaching, training, and presentation to large groups.
• Supervisory skills and ability to lead and motivate others.
• Effective interpersonal relations with acute listening, observation, and team building skills.
• Highly organized, results driven, self confident, self awareness and self motivation
• Effective time management and change management skills.
• Strong cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills and decision making.
• Proven ability to develop, implement and evaluate laboratory tests and procedures.
• Strong ethics, accountability and integrity.

Salary: TBD based on experience

Contact Information

Danielle Groulx HR Manager
dgroulx@conceive.ca
613-686-3378, ext 211

Employer Profile

Delivering care as the Ottawa Fertility Centre since 1994, the practice today comprises 7 full-time physicians who are leading specialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Specialists work collaboratively with an extensive cross-disciplinary team of nurses and assistants, embryologists, andrologists, laboratory technicians, sonographers, patient care and operational staff. Our vision is:
To be a national leader in assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes, offering exceptional patient experience delivered by passionate and committed staff. Our mission is to: Invest in the right technology, infrastructure and research. Be accountable for accessible inclusive care & involve patients in decision-making. Commit to comprehensive evidence-based medicine & services. Offer exceptional learning programs & maintain strong community partnerships. Value OFC staff members for their expertise and dedication. Our values are: Our patients’ physical safety, emotional health and experiences. Teamwork, wellbeing & satisfaction of our staff. Science, quality, and innovation. Respect, transparency & ethical behaviour. Compassion & commitment.