Second in Charge

Second in Charge (2IC) – Haematology
Permanent, Full-time
Mt. Wellington, Auckland

Who we are | Ko wai mātou:
Awanui Labs is a part of Awanui Group, the largest network of human and veterinary pathology laboratories in New Zealand. At Awanui, we're proud to be a national network of 25 laboratories, 150 collection centres, and employers of over 2,200 people throughout Aotearoa. Our team of specialist pathologists, scientists, technicians, phlebotomists, couriers, and shared services personnel deliver a world-class service that together collects, analyses, and reports over 7 million patient results annually.

About the role | Mō te tūranga:
We currently have a leadership opportunity for a high performing Haematology Second-in-Charge located at our Mt. Wellington Laboratory. This is a full-time, permanent of 80 hours a fortnight, position reporting to the Head of Department.

This role provides the opportunity to act as a key support to the Head of Department and the wider Haematology and Blood Bank team, helping to ensure the smooth and effective operation of the sections. As second in charge, you will assist with coordinating daily workflows, supporting Section Heads, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Technicians, and Trainees, and contributing to the ongoing development of Haematology and Blood bank services.

Success in this position requires strong interpersonal and organisational skills, solid haematology expertise, and a commitment to maintaining high-quality diagnostic performance. You will play an active role in supporting staff, facilitating communication, contributing to service improvement initiatives, and ensuring reliable, efficient, and consistent operations across the department.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Department in daily Haematology operations.
• Maintain bench competency and provide technical support.
• Assist with rostering, workflow planning, and staff development.
• Provide guidance and training to Scientists, Technicians, and Trainees.
• Ensure accurate and timely Haematology testing.
• Support quality control, instrumentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Assist with resource and equipment management.
• Contribute to process improvements and departmental projects.
• Collaborate across the network to maintain consistent practices.
• Participate in on-call duties if required.

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

• Registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand as a Medical Laboratory Scientist with a relevant specialisation and a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to support and guide teams while fostering a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
• Experience providing leadership or supervision within a technical team, with a focus on quality systems, efficiency, and supporting staff development.
• Experience contributing to KPI monitoring and operational improvements in a laboratory setting
• Minimum of 7 years' experience in Medical Laboratories with significant Haematology experience.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in Haematology with a thorough understanding of laboratory protocols, instrumentation, and best practice.
• Commitment to high-quality diagnostic service, strong communication, and effective collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Experience supporting quality systems and a sound understanding of Health and Safety requirements.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Patient-focused and committed to ongoing professional development for self and supporting the development of others
• IT proficiency, including Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), Word, and Excel
• Eligibility to work in New Zealand.
  
  

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 4 January 2026