Laboratory Attendant 1

Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion is seeking a Laboratory Attendant 1 at the PHO Hamilton Laboratory to support routine laboratory operations and sample handling. The role involves handling specimens, maintaining logs, and assisting with equipment and materials as needed.

Qualifications include a high school diploma and familiarity with lab safety procedures; you will work within a PPE-compliant environment and may perform data entry in LIS/LRMA systems.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of medical terminology and laboratory safety procedures.
• Familiar with laboratory information systems and MS Office products.
• Proficient computer skills for automated equipment and basic record keeping.

Responsibilities

• Receives and transports samples to appropriate areas.
• Opens, sorts and packs specimens; maintains logs and inventory.
• Performs glassware washing and preparation for sterilization.

Skills

Laboratory safety

MS Excel

WHMIS knowledge

Data entry

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Office suite (Word, Excel)

Job description

Laboratory Attendant 1 Location: PHO Hamilton Laboratory, 250 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton, ON Department: Hamilton Laboratory.

Role

To provide laboratory attendant services in support of laboratory operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Receives pre-packaged samples and transports to appropriate laboratory areas.
• Receives, opens and distributes mail and faxes.
• Picks up bio-hazardous waste and packages for disposal according to safety standards.
• Completes logs and records as required (i.e. eyewash, spill kit, bench cleaning etc.).
• Opens, sorts and racks specimens upon receipt.
• Washes glassware including loading, operating and unloading equipment.
• Prepares clean glassware for sterilization, i.e. capping tubes.
• Sorts and restocks clean glassware and other laboratory related inventory (e.g. gloves, labels etc.).
• Operates and performs minor maintenance on equipment (e.g. dishwashers, material lift, Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC)).
• Completes logs for temperature monitoring and alerts supervisor/delegate when out of range.
• Prepares solutions (i.e. bench top cleaner - 70% ethanol or bleach products).
• Delivers/receives laboratory supplies from supply chain.
• Receives and records lot numbers of incoming supplies either electronically or in log book.
• Reviews and records inventory numbers on logs and alerts appropriate supervisor/delegate when there is a need to order.
• Packages materials/samples for delivery to onsite and regional laboratories.
• Archives samples in designated areas.
• Prints barcode labels, checks specimen bags to ensure all samples have been removed, replaces sponges/racks etc. in the bags.
• Maintains filing systems as required including filing of requisitions daily; locating requisitions (in PDF) as requested by other laboratory staff.
• May provide data entry and scanning of laboratory requisitions into the Laboratory Information System (LIS) and other software (e.g. Excel, Access) and Public Health Ontario (PHO) systems (e.g. Laboratory Result Management Application (LRMA)).
• Assists with scanning, searching for requisitions not scanned and records storage process.
• Trains and orients new team members as assigned.
• Performs other duties or projects as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of medical terminology and laboratory safety procedures to provide a range of laboratory services in support of operations.
• Knowledge of computer systems, familiarity with laboratory information systems, MS office products such as Word and Excel.
• Proficient computer skills necessary to work with automated, computer driven equipment.
• Knowledge of general laboratory safety procedures to provide laboratory attendant services.
• Knowledge of operation procedures for equipment i.e. glassware washing machine, ultrasonic tank, material lift.
• Familiar with WHIMIS requirements to ensure adherence to standards.
• Knowledge of computer systems for basic record keeping.
• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to liaise with peers in order to seek direction on requirements.
• Written communication skills to complete basic logs.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma.

Attributes and Competencies

• Regular requirement to lift up to 10 kgs.
• Regular requirement to perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning flasks and tubes and to stand for extended period of time.
• Requires physical activity such as walking, lifting, stretching, bending.
• Works within a Laboratory environment which contains hazardous and infectious materials, odors, noise generated from automated analyzers, some temperature extremes, such as walk in fridges and freezers.
• Works shifts as assigned.
• Works within well established procedures for a Laboratory Attendant and within PHO Lab Standard Operating Procedures.
• Recognizes the potential hazard of samples being delivered and seeks guidance as required.
• Situations not covered by specific instructions or detailed SOP are referred to supervisor.

Duration

Contract (Fixed Term), 4 month(s) Hours of Work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week.

Compensation

Compensation Group: Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Compensation Range: $26.87 - $28.34.

Posting and Closing Dates

Posting Date: 08-31-2026. Closing Date: 09-11-2026. Please note: applications will be received no later than 11:59pm on the date preceding the closing date as indicated on the Job Requisition.

Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.

PHO is committed to ensuring equity in employment.

Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals.

Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to [e-mail].

Once an applicant has been selected for an interview, they can inform PHO about any accommodations they may require at any stage of the interview process.

Public Health Ontario (PHO) is an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of all Ontarians and reducing inequities in health. We link public health practitioners, front-line health workers and researchers to the best scientific intelligence and knowledge from around the world. With our partners in government, public health and health care, we provide the scientific evidence and expert guidance that shapes policies and practices for a healthier Ontario.

PHO has locations across Ontario, including 11 laboratory sites.

We’re committed to ensuring equity in employment.

Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals.

Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to [e-mail].

For more information, visit publichealthontario.ca.