South Australian Public Service
JOB & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Title of Position:
Scientist/Senior Technologist
Administrative Unit:
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Division:
Internal Medicine Service
Classification Code: MeS2/TGO3
Department: Thoracic Medicine
X
X
Permanent
Temporary
Other
Position Number:
Position Created:
Term 6 months
Part-Time
Job and Person Specification Approval
All excluding senior positions
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CEO or delegate
.../.../...
……………….................................
.../.../...
Commissioner for Public Employment
JOB SPECIFICATION
1. Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to the organisation's goals
(its expected outcome and how it is achieved.)
The Sleep Disorders Laboratory provides a full range of tests for sleep disorders and is
respected as a high quality provider of these services throughout Australia. In collaboration
with senior staff, the Medical Scientist/Senior Technologist oversees the efficient operation of
the laboratory, which includes the scientific and technical activities, supervising scientific and
technical staff and being involved in the formulation of policies, procedures and documentation.
In addition to routine provision of services at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Laboratory
operates three other services in which the Scientist/Senior Technologist has a supervisory role:
o Diagnostic services in regional areas of South Australia and the Northern Territory.
o A home diagnostic program utilising innovative diagnostic modalities.
o A substantial pharmaceutical clinical trials unit which generates revenue to support
medical training positions and research activities.
The Medical Scientist/Senior Technologist has particular responsibilities in ensuring the
continuing quality of all services provided and the maintenance of a focus on the needs of the
service within an environment that provides a high quality service for the patient.
2. Reporting/Working Relationships (To whom the person reports, staff for whom the
person is responsible, and other significant connections and working relationships
within the organisation).
The Scientist/Senior Technologist is a member of a multi-disciplinary team comprising scientific,
technical, medical, nursing and administrative staff.
The Scientist/Senior Technologist is responsible for the day-to-day work of the laboratory
including supervision of approximately 4 technical and scientific staff and provides direction to
nursing staff on a day to day basis.
The Scientist/Senior Technologist is responsible to the Chief Medical Scientist, Thoracic
Medicine.
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3. Special Conditions (Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements etc.)
The position is temporary until August 2009 and part-time 22.5 hrs/week over three days.
Flexibility in relation to hours worked is required.
Some out of hours work is required to accommodate the needs of a night-time diagnostic
service. Intra- and interstate travel is required to provide services in regional areas of South
Australia or the Northern Territory. Required to attend and participate in relevant meetings and
staff development/education activities as appropriate.
4. Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities (Group into major areas of
responsibility/activity and list in descending order of importance).
Perform a variety of sleep tests and analyse data from sleep studies using computerbased measurement systems. This includes:
 Performing polysomnography, multiple sleep latency tests and maintenance of wakefulness
tests;
 Performing home-based sleep studies including patient instruction, set-up and data analysis;
 Performing specialised tests that may draw upon other standard procedures but require
modification to meet special needs;
 Analysing data from sleep tests to produce a report for the reporting physician
 Adapting existing protocols to suit the investigation at hand; and
 Applying techniques from other laboratories or the scientific literature to design new or
improved testing protocols.
Providing day to day supervision within the Sleep Disorders Laboratory. This involves:
 Supervising scientific and technical staff, ensuring that they follow relevant procedures;
 Providing direction to nursing staff involved in laboratory function;
 Alerting management to workload and resource issues to ensure an efficient and effective
service;
 Implementing best practice human resource principles including performance appraisal,
competency measurement and in service training for junior staff;
 Monitoring of staff leave; and
 Designing and implementing staff rosters.
Assisting the Chief Medical Scientist to ensure that service provided on a day to day
basis is of the highest quality and responsive to the needs of patients and referring
doctors. This includes:
 Ensuring that both the Quality Management and Technical Requirements of the Quality
System are implemented;
 Ensuring laboratory procedures meet the requirements of professional and regulatory
bodies;
 Being responsible for the performance and reporting of internal audits, non-conformances
and corrective and preventive actions;
 Optimizing delivery of testing, reporting and advisory services to clients;
 Recognizing problems and developing effective solutions;
 Reviewing patient reports from the laboratory to ensure delivery of the highest quality in
testing and reporting;
 Ensuring that plant and equipment is maintained to a high level.
Organise sleep studies at remote locations. This includes:
 Liaising with decision makers at remote locations to arrange for sleep studies to be
conducted and ensuring that resources are available;
 Coordinating the resources involved in providing sleep studies at remote locations, including
arranging transport of staff and equipment and accommodation at remote locations;
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 Overseeing procedures for referral, scheduling and rostering of patients and staff at the
remote locations;
Contribute to an efficient and high quality clinical trials function within the Sleep
Laboratory. This includes:
 Supervising the clinical trial coordinator in the conduct of research protocols according to
strictly defined protocols within the principles of Good Clinical Practice;
 Supervising staff involved in aspects of the clinical trials activity, particularly those related to
the performance of sleep studies;
 Coordinating staff and other resources required for the conduct of the clinical trials;
 Assisting the clinical trials coordinator in the invoicing and receipt of funds related to the
clinical trial; and
 Maintaining oversight of the financial viability of the clinical trials function and advising
management of potential issues.
Involved in research and development programs in the Sleep Disorders Service. This
includes:
 Active participation in research programs in the area of sleep disorders including
interdisciplinary research;
 Attendance at and participation in local, national and international scientific and clinical
meetings;
 Providing data and advice on presentations for colleagues attending local, national and
international meetings. and
 Participating in seminars, conferences and discussion groups;
Involved in teaching and educational activities within the Sleep Disorders Service. This
includes:
 Providing education in sleep laboratory procedures and aspects of sleep medicine to
medical, scientific, technical, nursing, research or administrative staff in aspects of sleep
medicine, particularly laboratory functions;
 Providing advice to medical staff, nursing staff and other laboratories and health
professionals on technical and scientific aspects of diagnostic procedures in the area of
Sleep Disorders;
 Presenting talks or lectures in areas of special expertise to the laboratory, the department or
professional organisations and;
As a professional scientist/technologist, embracing a laboratory culture that applies
scientific rigour and is responsive to current trends in sleep medicine. This involves:
 Applying scientific principles to all aspects of laboratory function;
 Being aware of the scientific literature in relevant areas;
 Analysing and reviewing relevant literature for application to laboratory practice;
 Use of literature resources to maintain a high level of awareness within the laboratory of
current developments in the area of polysomnography and sleep physiology;
 Liaising with colleagues to improve existing practice;
 Establishing functional relationships with other sleep services to share expertise and
establish professional networks; and
 Representing the laboratory in professional organisations.
To ensure that staff and other persons in their work area are safe from risks to health
and safety by:
 Carrying out responsibilities as detailed in organisational occupational healthy, safety and
injury management (OHS&IM) policies and procedures;
 Implementing and monitoring relevant OHS&IM policies and procedures within their work
area;
 Identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing, monitoring and maintaining hazard
control measures in consultation with staff and relevant committees;
 Participating in OHS&IM planning;
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 Providing staff with the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to
effectively and safely carry out their work;
 Maintaining relevant OHS&IM documentation; and
 Consulting with health and safety representatives, committees and staff on changes to the
workplace which have the potential to impact on health and safety.
Contribute toward the provision of a healthy, safe and equitable working environment by
adhering to the principles and standards of Equal Employment Opportunity Legislation
which;
 Ensures employees are recruited, selected, trained, transferred and promoted solely on the
basis of merit without regard to age, marital status, physical disability, intellectual
impairment, pregnancy, race, sex or sexuality;
 Ensures all employees in the workplace are treated in a fair and equitable manner; and
 Identifies and eliminates discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace.
As required, achieve other outcomes commensurate with this classification level.
Acknowledged by Applicant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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..../..../...
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION:
For Appointment at MeS2, a degree in Science or Applied Science or Associate Membership of
the Australian Institute of Medical Laboratory Scientists.
For Appointment at TGO3, a certificate in Medical Laboratory Science or equivalent.
PERSONAL ABILITIES/APTITUDE/SKILLS:
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Thoroughness and attention to detail
High level of organisational skills to efficiently achieve required tasks
A flexible approach to work to meet competing demands and high workloads
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact with junior and senior staff
EXPERIENCE:
 Experience in a patient laboratory environment.
 Experience in the use of complex monitoring equipment, especially in the area of
physiological monitoring and the measurement and interpretation of EEG (electroencephalogram).
KNOWLEDGE:
 Knowledge of respiratory physiology, sleep medicine or related area.
 Knowledge of patient laboratory procedures
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DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION:
A tertiary qualification in a professional area of relevance to the Sleep Service.
Achievement of qualification as a Board Registered Polysomnographic Technologist.
PERSONAL ABILITIES/APTITUDE/SKILLS:

High level skills in use of computers including word processing, spread sheets and data
bases for data analysis and document preparation..
EXPERIENCE:
 Experience in the performance and analysis of polysomnography (sleep studies)
 Experience in quality assurance within a laboratory or medical environment
KNOWLEDGE:
 Knowledge of national and international quality standards in sleep medicine or related area.
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