Production Unit Manager, PET Radiopharmacy - BC Cancer - Vancouver

Production Unit Manager, PET Radiopharmacy

BC Cancer

Vancouver, BC

The PET Radiopharmacy Production Unit Manager (Production Unit Manager) is responsible for coordinating/supervising staff and overseeing the preparation of clinical Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals, such as 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), which are prepared for clinical human use by the Functional Imaging Department to diagnose and study cancer. 

The primary duties involve supervising the Radiochemists and Cyclotron Operators and coordinating the daily radiopharmaceutical production activities as required and dictated through the clinical PET facility’s patient scanning schedules. The Production Unit Manager is also responsible for coordinating quality control of the product. Duties include tracking the preparation of chemical compounds used in the synthesis of the radiopharmaceuticals, including the maintenance of equipment and inventory of production materials. The Production Unit Manager will also be responsible for the development and maintenance of a provincial radiopharmaceutical distribution program inclusive of establishing shipping routes and planning/fulfilling supply orders.

What you’ll do

• Supervise and coordinate the work activities of designated radiopharmacy staff/students by scheduling workflows, establishing priorities, providing guidance and technical advice, hiring staff, determining orientation/training needs, managing staff performance, and monitoring overall operations to ensure all departmental standards and performance expectations are being met or exceeded.
• Develop, maintain, and supervise the logistics of radiopharmaceutical production and delivery between the PET Radiopharmacy, PET imaging centres, and other radioisotope suppliers as necessary to meet clinical requirements.
• Maintain radiation safety documentation, report to the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) regarding radiation safety in the clinical production facility, and work with the RSO to develop/update radiation safety procedures as needed for the continued growth and development of the Centre.
• Develop and implement departmental safety and security policies and procedures in accordance with current regulations regarding radiopharmaceutical laboratory working conditions and the use of biological, radioactive, and chemical materials. Communicate safety information to staff, ensure safety standards are upheld, and maintain related records.
• Coordinate and maintain departmental records to be in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice and other regulatory requirements.

What you bring

Qualifications:

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related science degree.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of recent related experience in a radiochemistry/radiopharmacy clinical or research laboratory with two (2) years related experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Class 7 – Radioactives) certification is required.

• 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 healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer 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, Anti-racism Data 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 leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge 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.).

You have:

• Demonstrated excellent synthetic chemistry skills and a comprehensive knowledge of analytical chemistry techniques and equipment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of radiochemistry product development and radiopharmacy operations.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage and supervise staff/students using leadership, creativity and organizational skills.
• Competency with various computer applications such as office desktop software, laboratory information management systems, and hospital information systems.
• Ability to work well both independently and with others in a team-oriented environment.
• Commitment to beginning and 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.
• 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.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

Salary Range: $88,990 - $127,923. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location: 600 West 10th Ave, Vancouver BC V5Z 4E6

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday; 0800-1600

Requisition Number: 182973E

What we do 

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia. 

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 indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

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.

Attention current employees of PHSA:  

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on May 9, 2025, and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days. 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.