Head of Department - Histology - Nelson

Head of Department – Histology
Permanent, Full-time
Nelson

Who we are | Ko wai mātou:
Awanui Labs - Nelson (previously known as Medlab South) provides high-quality diagnostic pathology services to the community, healthcare professionals and their patients. Awanui Labs - Nelson is owned by Awanui Group (previously known as APHG), a healthcare company committed to providing facilities and services that deliver exceptional care to its clients.

About the role | Mō te tūranga:
Lead our Histology Department at our Nelson Laboratory and make a real impact in delivering high-quality diagnostic services. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to guide a skilled team, shape departmental processes and contribute to excellence in patient care.

We are looking for a motivated professional who is eager to learn and share new skills, able to work independently and collaboratively. You will be highly organised, detail-oriented, and approachable, with a strong focus on quality and customer service. Accuracy and self-sufficiency are essential to excel in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the receipt, processing, and storage of specimens, ensuring urgent specimens are prioritised appropriately.


• Plan and organise departmental workflow to meet deadline and turnaround times.


• Ensure all testing is performed in accordance with department protocols and methods, maintaining a thorough understanding of the underlying principles and techniques.


• Lead the setup and operation of laboratory equipment, ensuring compliance with departmental procedures.


• Oversee and document equipment checks, calibrations, maintenance, and quality control, recognising issues and escalating them as necessary.


• Ensure effective use of Laboratory Information System (LIS), including generation of work lists and accurate data entry.


• Provide guidance, mentoring, and support to the histology team, fostering a positive team culture that includes continuous learning and quality improvement.
  
  

About you | He kōrero mōu
To be successful in this role you need to have:

• Registered as a Medical Laboratory Scientist with a specialisation in Histology


• Ideally a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a registered Scientist, with strong experience in a histology laboratory environment.


• Experience in a supervisory and/or staff management role.


• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, mentor, and motivate a diverse laboratory team.


• Demonstrated technical expertise in histology techniques, with a strong understanding of laboratory protocols, quality systems, and accreditation requirements.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with team members, pathologists, and other stakeholders.


• Flexibility to work Monday to Friday, with the ability to provide after-hours support when required.

What’s in it for you | He aha mōu:
You will be joining a friendly, high-performing, and forward-thinking team environment. Our laboratory is highly automated and technically advanced, already delivering an outstanding service for patients and healthcare professionals.

Explore excellent opportunities to enhance your skills with our in-house Learning & Development team, ensuring your professional competency and career growth.

If you are passionate about your work, dedicated to quality and want to be part of a friendly supportive team, please click 'Apply now'

Application closes 22 January 2026