Working as a clinical laboratory scientist or a laboratory nurse at the Diagnostic Center

Our genetics laboratory is the largest in Finland. We conduct approximately 57,000 tests every year for cytogenetics and molecular genetics related to cancer and congenital diseases. We also perform personalized pharmaceutical diagnostics.

Independent work in multidisciplinary teams

We work in multidisciplinary teams, which include laboratory nurses, biomedical laboratory scientists, practical nurses, ward secretaries, geneticists, chemists, laboratory supervisors, physicians, bioinformaticians, and clinical experts. Our work is independent, but we value excellent skills in team work and interaction. 

With us, you can work in a versatile manner in cytogenetic or molecular genetic studies using the latest laboratory technology. You can further your skills in your specific areas of interest or become an all-round expert. 

In the HUSLAB building, we work on two different floors mainly on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In the mornings, we go to the inpatient wards for sampling, which brings versatility and variety to the work.

An evolving and growing science

Our work is innovative and challenging. Genetics is a highly evolving and growing science, so development efforts are part of our everyday work. 

Due to the growing number of samples, we are working to automate our work with robotics. Manual work and data analysis run alongside the automated tasks.

Clinical physiology

At clinical physiology, we conduct examinations to determine diagnoses, assess the effects of treatment, and to determine a person’s capacity to work and withstand procedures.

We conduct the following studies:

• gastrointestinal studies,
• cardiorespiratory performance measurements,
• lung function tests,
• bone mineral studies,
• echocardiograms and
• resting and long-term ECGs
• examinations of the autonomic nervous system,
• polysomnographies and
• special tests regarding blood pressure and arterial circulation.

Nuclear medicine

In the nuclear medicine units, we take images of body functions by injecting a radioactive tracer into the patient. We also perform radionuclide therapy. 

Our work consists of:

• cannulation,
• preparation of radioactive tracers in a clean room and dispensing them into syringes,
• injection of the tracer into the patient,
• performing exercise tests,
• taking gamma or PET camera images,
• performing kidney function tests; and
• analysis of blood samples. 

We also perform lung function tests using inhaled radioactive carbon particles.

We treat patients from toddlers to the elderly. Isotope studies may also be performed on infants. At the heart of our work is patient guidance during the studies and assessment of the reliability of results and images. 

Daytime work in a multidisciplinary work community

Our work in the clinical physiology and nuclear medicine units is multidisciplinary. We have physicists, nurses, physicians, and secretaries. Depending on the role, we work either independently or as members of a team. Good work atmosphere, flexibility and wellbeing at work are important to us in achieving our operational goals. Our work is a day job.

Our work is diverse and we value the strengths of each other and those of all our professions. With us, you can develop your skills through a variety of responsibilities and training provided by the employer. In your work, you will also be able to further your understanding of human physiology and nuclear medicine.

Interaction skills are important in our work, and patient encounters provide experiences of success.

Multiple units in the HUS area and South Karelia

The clinical physiology units are located in the Hyvinkää, Jorvi, Meilahti and Peijas Hospitals and Park Hospital and the South Karelia Central Hospital. The nuclear medicine units are located in the Meilahti Hospital Area, Jorvi Hospital and the South Karelia Central Hospital.

We are committed to complying with the SFS-EN ISO 9001:2015 standards. With regard to accredited activities, we comply with the SFS-EN ISO 15189:2013 standards.

At clinical neurophysiology, we examine the central and peripheral nervous system. We perform examinations to determine diagnoses and assess the effects of treatment. 

Our patients range from infants to the elderly. At the heart of our work is patient guidance during the studies, performing the studies, and the assessment of the reliability of test results. 

Clinical neurophysiology examinations include:

• EEG (Electroencephalography)
• MEG (Magnetoencephalography)
• Sleep studies (extended and concise polysomnography)
• Wakefulness tests (MSLT, MWT, Josler, Actigraphy)
• operating room monitoring
• ENMG (Electroneuromyography) and ENEG (Electroneurography)
• Evoked potential studies (VEP, SEP, MEP)
• QST (quantitative sensory testing).

We also implement rTMS treatments. Some studies are only conducted at specific units. 

Daytime work in a multidisciplinary work community

Our work in the clinical neurophysiology units is multidisciplinary. We have physicists, nurses, physicians, and secretaries. Depending on the task, we work either independently or as members of a team. 

Good work atmosphere, flexibility and wellbeing at work are important to us in achieving our operational goals. As a rule, our work is a day job. In the sleep laboratory units at New Children’s Hospital and Jorvi, we also work during the nights on weekdays.

Our work is diverse and we value the strengths of each other and those of all our professions. 

Interaction skills are important in our work, and patient encounters provide experiences of success.

Working with us allows you to develop your skills

With us, you can develop your skills through a variety of responsibilities and training provided by the employer. In your work, you can also further your knowledge on the operation of the human brain and the nervous system. 

The clinical neurophysiology units are located at Hyvinkää, Jorvi, Raseborg, Meilahti, Peijas and Porvoo Hospitals and at New Children’s Hospital and South Karelia and Kymenlaakso Central Hospitals.

The clinical chemistry laboratories are located in connection with hospitals in the Helsinki, Uusimaa, South Karelia and Kymenlaakso areas and in the Meilahti Hospital Area and the HUSLAB building. 

We work in an automated laboratory, in special hematology and special chemistry laboratories, sample logistics and sample reception, as well as a blood center and the area’s hospitals’ clinical chemistry laboratories that also carry out microbiological studies. Clinical chemistry laboratories serve customers 24/7. 

Versatile work in a multidisciplinary work community

Work in a clinical chemistry laboratory is versatile and we work in multidisciplinary work communities. As a biomedical laboratory scientist, you work in sampling and analytics. You will work as an expert in preanalytics and clinical chemistry analytics. The job content ranges from analysis with large chemistry analyzers to point-of-care testing and checking samples with a microscope, to customer service in taking samples.

In clinical chemistry laboratories, you can further your knowledge in areas such as chemistry, hematology, blood center operations, and excretion and secretion studies. According to your competence level, we also have responsibility and development tasks.

Clinical chemistry laboratories are a flexible workplace where you can work in all different life situations. For a biomedical laboratory scientist, the clinical chemistry laboratory provides opportunities to grow into a true multitalent employee or further your skills in areas of special interest and through various positions of responsibility. Your interests and passions are the most important driver of your professional growth.

The active and cheerful team at the clinical microbiology, i.e. the bacteriology and virology and immunology responsibility units, is responsible for laboratory studies in bacterial and viral diagnostics and laboratory studies related to autoimmune diseases. Our laboratory facilities are located in Meilahti, Helsinki. 

The research methods we use are modern and versatile. In addition to assays with analyzers, we also perform some of our laboratory testing by hand. You will have extensive opportunities to utilize your interests and expertise in our units. It is also possible to further your skills in more special studies conducted only in our units in Finland.

Multidisciplinary work community

We work in multidisciplinary teams, both as a team and also independently when needed. In addition to the approximately 60 laboratory nurses or biomedical laboratory scientists working in the bacteriology and virology and immunology units, the clinical laboratory scientists, ward secretaries, hospital microbiologists and physicians are also involved in the day-to-day operations of the units. 

Our laboratories serve customers 24/7. On weekday mornings, we participate in sampling on inpatient wards. During on-call hours, our operations cover the most clinically important tasks. We strive to be flexible in addressing different life situations of our employees, and we offer plenty of possibilities for deciding on your work shifts.

The Pathology Laboratory of the Diagnostic Center in Meilahti is Finland’s largest pathology laboratory and one of the largest in Europe. We are an accredited laboratory (SFS-EN ISO 15189:2013) and we continuously improve the quality of our operations. Work in our pathology laboratories is multidisciplinary, innovative, and challenging.
 
Our laboratories are located in Meilahti at the facility of the University of Helsinki and in the HUSLAB building, at the new premises of the Jorvi Hospital, and at Hyvinkää Hospital. We also have separate laboratories at Kymenlaakso Central Hospital in Kotka and South Karelia Central Hospital in Lappeenranta. 

Versatile daytime work

Approximately 160,000 samples are processed and examined annually in the Uusimaa pathology laboratories. As a large operator, Meilahti’s Pathology Laboratory provides a versatile understanding of the pathology laboratory process and competence for laboratory professionals. 

Our work tasks include the processing of tissue and cell samples and various tasks related to the pathology laboratory process. We also visit inpatient wards for sampling in the mornings. Obductions are performed in Meilahti and Jorvi. We work on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

We have increased the degree of digitization in our operations gradually. As the sample volumes increase, we will automate our work, but we will also retain some manual work. In addition, we organize various types of training for our staff and for collaborators outside our own units.

The Meilahti Laboratory acts as a central laboratory

The Meilahti Pathology Laboratory functions as a so-called central laboratory and we receive samples from all over Finland for processing and testing. At Meilahti Pathology, we work together in seven individual teams. 

In addition to a general pathology laboratory in Meilahti, we have a large immunohistochemistry laboratory, and a neuropathology laboratory and electron microscope. 

Pathology in Meilahti also includes the national organ transplantation and hematology laboratory. 

Meilahti pathology has approximately 100 healthcare and other professionals, most of whom are biomedical laboratory scientists. In addition, our employees include ward secretaries and obduction preparators, as well as about 55 pathologists and several hospital cell biologists. Approximately 120,000 samples are examined annually at Meilahti.

Multiple laboratories outside Meilahti

Pathology laboratories in the hospitals in Jorvi, Hyvinkää, Kymenlaakso and South Karelia perform comprehensive basic pathology including immunohistochemistry. 

Jorvi employs 19 healthcare and other professionals and five pathologists. Approximately 28,000 samples are processed annually at Jorvi pathology. 

Hyvinkää pathology has 13 healthcare and other personnel and three pathologists. The samples processed annually total approximately 15,000. 
 
There are 12 healthcare and other staff members and two pathologists in Kymenlaakso. Kymenlaakso pathology examines and processes a total of approximately 16,000 histological and cytological samples every year. 
 
The South Karelia Pathology Laboratory performs comprehensive basic pathology including cytology, immunohistochemistry, and obduction activities. The pathology staff includes a total of eight biomedical laboratory scientists and preparators, two part-time pathologists, a ward secretary, and an obduction preparator. Approximately 16,000 samples are processed annually at South Karelia pathology.

In customer service and sampling work, you can work in both specialized healthcare and primary healthcare facilities. Depending on the location, the work includes customer service and sampling on hospital wards or in outpatient clinics, at health center laboratories or separate laboratory sampling points (such as Kamppi, Oulunkylä, Iso Omena, Järvenpää, Lohja, and Vuosaari) or in local sampling service points.

Sampling is the most visible part of laboratory activities for customers and patients. We value a customer-oriented mindset and excellent interaction and teamwork skills in a multidisciplinary work community. In all the tasks, it is important that the employee has good oral and written skills in Finnish.

Health center laboratories and local sampling service

Sampling at the health center laboratories is versatile, and our customer ages range from infant to the elderly. In addition to blood sampling, the work may also include: ECG recording or long-term ECG recording, spirometry studies, gynecological sampling, throat and fungal swabs, and providing guidance and instructions to customers. The work also includes point-of-care analytics and pre-processing and forwarding of samples for testing elsewhere.

The local sampling service also visits customers’ homes, different facilities, health centers without a laboratory, and hospital wards. We have units in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Western and Central Uusimaa. 

Daytime or shift work in a multidisciplinary work community

As a biomedical laboratory scientist or laboratory nurse, you are a key expert in pre-analytics and analytics within a multidisciplinary work community. Your expertise is also needed especially for the onboarding of new employees and in operational development projects.

There are approximately 100 sampling points in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Uusimaa, Kymenlaakso, and South Karelia. The westernmost site is in the city of Hanko and the easternmost in Virolahti. Work can be daytime work, two-shift or three-shift work depending on the unit.