JR101934

Manager, Virus Detection, Molecular Diagnostics DNA

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

Department: Molecular, Virus Detection and Genomics Core

The Role:

The Laboratory Manager will coordinate and supervise clinical laboratory diagnostic, environmental, outbreak, surveillance, consultative and support services in the Molecular and Virus Detection Department at the PHO Laboratory in the Toronto laboratory site.

Take ownership to initiate and participate in the development, validation, continuous improvement and troubleshooting of laboratory methods and processes, in alignment with the PHO Laboratory Quality Management System.

Provide leadership to all staff and manage in a manner that motivates, guides and directs employees to the realization of PHO values, goals, objectives and performance expectations; ensures a work environment that promotes staff participation, team work and positive employee relations.

Key Responsibilities-

• Provides technical oversight and leads day to day operations to deliver a variety of public health laboratory services, i.e. diagnostic testing, reference testing, quality assurance, customer service and outreach, non-clinical support services, etc.
• Identifies and manages laboratory responses on matters of public health importance such as potential and actual outbreaks, unusual urgent and critical situations.
• Ensures implementation and compliance to all technical, regulatory, safety and accreditation requirements (e.g. Accreditation Canada Diagnostics (ACD), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canadian Association for Analytical Laboratories Inc. (CALA), Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)), policies, processes and procedures and that all staff are trained appropriately.
• Manages staff, congruent with PHO internal policies and procedures, professional standards, collective agreements and other relevant standards, legislation or regulations; setting clear responsibilities and objectives, evaluates performance, advises on training needs, participates in recruitment and selection of staff, deals with employee and labour relations issues in partnership with Human Resources partners.
• Manages and implements annual operating and capital budgets to meet program delivery goals.
• Provides input into operational planning and policy development in relation to system wide public health laboratory issues.
• Responsible for continuous quality improvement as a member of PHO Laboratory Quality Management team and participates in the development, implementation and monitoring of quality assurance and performance measures.
• Works with contract managers to prepare appropriate procurement documentation for RFX processes for procurement of equipment, goods and services e.g. courier, preventative maintenance etc. Provides oversight for the evaluation and participates in vendor debrief sessions.
• Provides and supports outreach and customer service/client management to partners, clients, members of the public and stakeholders, e.g. public health units, hospitals, Long Term Care facilities, physicians, laboratories, clinics, academic partners, etc. to promote and maintain high quality reliable laboratory services.
• Analyzes and comments on administrative and statistical reports on lab operations (e.g. Workload report to inform resource planning and allocation.
• Provides input into monthly financial variance report. Draws conclusions and forecasts future budgetary requirements.
• Participates on appropriate committees and work teams to advance PHO Laboratory activities and foster broad stakeholder input and participation, where appropriate, e.g. public health units, hospitals, Long Term Care facilities, physicians, laboratories, clinics, academic partners, etc.

Knowledge and Skills-

• Knowledge of principles and practices of testing, including molecular methods, in a public health laboratory setting in order to provide technical oversight and lead day to day operations to deliver a variety of public health laboratory services.
• Knowledge of PHO Laboratory programs, standards, policies, applicable legislation, and current issues affecting operations to recommend policies and improvements, and contribute to long/short term planning.
• Knowledge of the measurement indicators and collection tools and quality management tools needed to ensure that the testing program or service is operating efficiently and effectively. Leadership, team building and client relations management skills to develop and foster positive employee relations and client/stakeholder partnerships.
• Organization skills including priority setting and workload management to manage multiple concurrent issues and projects and provides direction to the reporting staff.
• Computer skills and good understanding of software including word-processing, database, spreadsheet, project management, presentation, e-mail, and Internet applications in order to analyze information, prepare reports, and establish/utilize tools which support the analysis and monitoring of operations.
• Knowledge of the PHO Laboratory Code of Conduct, Workplace Violence Prevention Policy, and Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

Education and Experience-

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in health related sciences and/or related field.
• A practising and active registration with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) (active without conditions and in good standing) is required to co-ordinate clinical laboratory diagnostic services in the PHO Laboratory.
• A minimum five (5) years' experience in a laboratory setting.
• A minimum of three (3) years of responsible leadership experience in management and or supervisory position in a unionized workplace.
• Experience with the public health sector will be an asset.
• Molecular Experience is preferred.

Attributes and Competencies-

• Interpersonal skills to provide technical consultation and advice to staff, physicians, other health care providers, and private laboratories on the application of methodologies and the interpretation of laboratory analyses.
• Oral communication skills to lead team meetings, conduct training and demonstrations, or perform presentations for clinical laboratory staff or other PHO/PHO Laboratory or visiting external professionals.
• Written communication skills to prepare corrective action reports, method or equipment evaluation/validation summaries, contribution to scientific publications based on research performed, procurement documents (RFI, RFB) or quality management documents including Standard Operating Procedures and job aids.

Duration: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week

Compensation Group: Manager

Posting Date: 09-15-2025

Closing Date: 09-30-2025

Please note:

Note: Internal candidates will be considered first.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to move forward in the recruitment process 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.

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_Inquiries@oahpp.ca. 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.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $85,000.00-$120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Paid time off
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person