Position: Medical Laboratory Assistant
Employment Type: Permanent. Full-Time and Part-Time positions available
Compensation: $21.00–$24.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, plus 4% vacation pay, comprehensive benefits, and a pension plan.
Work Environment: Inclusive, innovative and supportive, with a dynamic team leading the way in building trusted, forward-thinking healthcare partnerships
Work Location: Onsite (Don Mills/Eglinton)
Operation Focus: Specimen Management, Client Care & Communication, and Quality Management
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our team and provide essential support in specimen management and client care across multiple business lines. This position is ideal for candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, high-impact clinical environment and are passionate about quality, precision, and patient-centered care.
Key Areas of Responsibility
As a Medical Laboratory Assistant, you will support laboratory operations through accurate specimen management, testing, client and provider communication, and administrative support.
- Review, log, scan, accession, label, and track orders and specimens.
- Identify and follow up on potential issues with orders, specimens, and demographic information, escalating changes as required.
- Assess, sort, organize, store, and prepare specimens for testing or transport.
- Package and ship specimens to suppliers, including international suppliers, and coordinate the return of specimens to clients as required.
- Monitor pending and released specimen lists in Copia and for HL7 clients and suppliers.
- Document non-conformances and relevant communications in accordance with established procedures.
- Record and communicate messages and follow-up requirements accurately.
- Prepare and distribute laboratory supplies, including empty boxes, according to established schedules and requests.
- Support kit management activities at the ILS bench, as trained.
- Perform blood collection, laboratory testing, calibration, and quality control, as required.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, reagents, inventory, and supplies.
- Enter and maintain accurate data in the Laboratory Information System (LIS), including provider and participant information.
- Communicate with clients, healthcare providers, participants, and call centres, including reporting critical or urgent results.
- Perform accurate transcription and data entry of laboratory and clinical information as required.
- Prepare kits and complete routine administrative tasks, including scanning and faxing.
- Follow all safety, quality, and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Participate in quality system and quality improvement initiatives.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
- Perform other duties as trained and assigned.
Hands-on Experience Needed to Excel in This Role
- Specimen handling, sorting, preparation, storage, and data entry in a laboratory or healthcare setting.
- Experience using laboratory instruments and equipment and performing testing according to established procedures.
- Performing quality control, calibration, and routine laboratory equipment maintenance.
- Using Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and standard office software.
- Experience with accurate transcription and documentation of laboratory or clinical information.
- Managing multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting turnaround times.
- Knowledge of different specimen types and their appropriate handling requirements.
- Ability to work effectively across multiple laboratory workstations and adapt to changing priorities.
Qualifications
Education & Certification:
- Medical Laboratory Assistant college program or equivalent scientific program.
- Certification by MLPAO is required; new graduates who are eligible for certification are welcome to apply.
- Knowledge of medical terminology is required.
Experience:
- Up to 3 years of experience in a laboratory environment is preferred.
- Experience with specimen collection and blood collection is preferred.
- Experience with specimen management, including receiving, accessioning, sorting, preparing, storing, and tracking specimens, is preferred.
- Previous customer service experience in a healthcare or laboratory setting is preferred.
- Experience with data entry and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) is required.
- Experience with transcription and accurate documentation of laboratory or clinical information is preferred.
Key Competencies
- Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Strong service orientation and commitment to patient-centered care.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills in English. French language proficiency is an added bonus.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate professionally with clients, healthcare providers, participants, and colleagues.
- Good computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and laboratory information systems.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while meeting turnaround times.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple laboratory workstations.
- Reliability, punctuality, and a strong commitment to quality, safety, and confidentiality.
Additional Requirement
- Ability to perform tasks requiring manual dexterity, including using both hands for data entry, specimen handling, blood collection, and other laboratory activities. This is a bona fide occupational requirement.
Why Join Us?
At In-Common Laboratories (ICL), we are dedicated to transforming lives through innovative healthcare and community support services.
- Meaningful mission with real health sector impact.
- Collaborative, supportive executive leadership and work environment.
- Opportunities to make an immediate impact, optimize operations, and expand your expertise.
- Work with cutting-edge IT tools and systems that shape service delivery.
Selection Process Transparency
- Artificial intelligence is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants.
- This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Equal Opportunity & Accessibility
- ICL is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request.
Apply to: hr@iclabs.ca (Email subject Line: R202609-SM)