Laboratory Attendant 1

publichealthontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Health Ontario is seeking a Laboratory Attendant 1 for the PHO Corporate Office & Toronto Laboratory, located at 661 University Avenue, Toronto, ON. The role involves receiving samples, processing them, and maintaining critical logs and inventory in a safety-focused environment.

This full-time position supports front-end processing, requires a high school diploma, and entails lifting up to 10 kg and standing for extended periods. Training and standard operating procedures are provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and laboratory safety procedures.
• Familiarity with laboratory information systems and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Receives and transports samples to laboratory areas.
• Maintains logs and records as required.
• Operates and maintains laboratory equipment.
• Works with glassware washing and sterilization processes.
• Prints labels and manages inventory.
• Performs data entry in LIS and PHO systems.

Skills

Laboratory safety

Medical terminology

Oral communication

Written communication

MS Excel

Lab information systems

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Excel

Access

LRMA (Laboratory Result Management Application)

Job description

Laboratory Attendant 1

Location: PHO Corporate Office & Toronto Laboratory, 661 University Avenue, Toronto, ON

Department: Front End Processing

This posting is to fill a current vacancy.

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), 0 month(s)

Hours of Work

Full time, 36.25 hours per week

Compensation Group

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Compensation Range

$26.87 - $28.34

Posting Date

08-24-2026

Closing Date

09-4-2026

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 HR