Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology, Laboratory

One of Canada's Best Diversity Employers and Greater Toronto's Top Employers for many consecutive years, William Osler Health System (Osler) provides a safe and supportive health care network to grow your career. Osler is nationally recognized for its commitment to patient safety and is Accredited with Exemplary Standing, the highest rating a Canadian hospital can receive. As a major Ontario hospital system, and home to some of the biggest specialty and emergency departments in the country, Osler serves the 1.3 million residents of Brampton, Etobicoke and surrounding communities. We are proud to offer you incredible exposure to best-in-class health care delivery and challenging hands-on opportunities to stay at the top of your game.

A hospital system built for and by the community, we continue to expand our services to meet the needs of a growing population, creating opportunities for increased hands-on skills development, cross-department training and promotional opportunities. Guided by our accomplished senior leadership team, together we are driving our vision of world-class health care inspired by our people and communities.

At Osler, we invest in careers that go beyond where health care professionals like you can achieve their goals and find deep personal and professional fulfillment. Join our team today!


Job Description

Accountabilities:

Receives and unpacks specimens delivered by pneumatic tube system, courier, hospital staff (and outpatients if required)
Registers patient information in computer as needed; accessions specimens; labels, numbers and aliquots specimens as required
Uses positive patient identification to ensure that all requisitions, specimens, sample aliquots are traceable
Applies specimen acceptance and rejection criteria as per established laboratory policies
Enters add-on test requests in computer; retrieves specimens for further testing as required
Answers phone inquiries and provides customer service to resolve issues
Faxes reports according to protocol
Prepares and ships samples to referral laboratories (includes documentation, labelling and packaging) in shipping containers at suitable conditions to maintain specimen integrity
Proper storage and discarding of specimens in accordance with retention policies and biohazard waste protocols
Reagent/stain preparation, reconstitution, and filtering according to procedures
Familiar with COVID-19 sample preparation, including extraction
Ability to run, maintain and troubleshoot COVID-19 specific equipment
Performs quality control testing as required
Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including properly functioning quality controlled automated analyzers as applicable
Reviews outstanding specimen reports (pending lists), and investigates outliers
Transcription of results from worksheets/reports into computer for final verification by MLT
Performs temperature monitoring of refrigerators, freezers and incubators
Maintains knowledge of current policies and procedures in their assigned work area, completes action items, reads work-related emails, attends staff meetings, stays informed, etc.
Understands and actively participates in maintaining the laboratory quality management system
Participates in detecting, reporting, correcting and preventing unexpected occurrences, identifies opportunities for improvement
Completes occurrence reports (DATIX), applies relevant markers and canned text comments
Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Osler policy
Washes glassware, performs general laboratory housekeeping, disinfects benches and equipment
Biohazard waste containment, packaging and storage for pick-up
Receipt of inventory and applies acceptance criteria; records and reports unacceptability
Monitors and maintains inventory
Participates in continuing education activities
Other duties as assigned according to training and scope of practice
May be required to cross-train into other lab areas based on operational need
May be required to attend hospital during off hours to attend to emergency situations

Qualifications
Successful completion of an Ontario secondary school diploma
Graduate of an accredited medical laboratory assistant/technician program
Current certification and registration with OSMT, CSMLS and/or CMLTO voluntary roster
Minimum two years experience in microbiology preferred
Recent experience working and/or clinical placement in a hospital laboratory receiving area required
Knowledge of Meditech, Paradigm and Microsoft Office programs would be an asset
Excellent organization and communication skills
Proven ability to be a team player
Strong multi-tasking and problem solving skills
Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and maintain high level of productivity, competence and professionalism
Must demonstrate Osler's Values of Respect, Excellence, Service, Compassion, Innovation and Collaboration
Excellent attendance, punctuality and work record
Required to travel between and work at all Osler sites
Transport of Dangerous Goods knowledge and training

Additional Information

Hours: Currently days/evenings, nights including weekends and statutory holidays
(subject to change in accordance with operational requirements)

Salary:
Minimum: $31.13 per hour
Maximum:$37.05 per hour

Internal application deadline: [July 2, 2026]

#TPT - 6 months

#LI-SC1

Osler values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources at human.resources@williamoslerhs.ca.

While we thank all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.