Technical Supervisor - Histotechnology

Job summary

The Technical Supervisor oversees daily histotechnology laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and rigorous quality control. They provide leadership to unionized staff, manage workloads, and contribute hands-on technical expertise in specimen preparation and testing.

Job details

Department: LSD AHL HistotechnologyThis position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) General Purpose With the mission of working together toward a healthier future, the Animal Health Laboratory provides high-value analytic and diagnostic services for the agricultural, food and veterinary sectors. Under the general direction of the supervising Veterinary Pathologist, the Technical Supervisor oversees the day-to-day technical operations of the Histotechnology laboratory while ensuring compliance with rigorous accreditation standards. The ideal candidate not only brings sound knowledge of and experience with histotechnology procedures, but is a highly skilled operations manager and people leader with a proven track record of advancing service delivery. Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent coordinates and supervises the activities of the Histotechnology lab staff while fostering an environment that promotes teamwork, productivity and continuous improvement. The incumbent in this position will be responsible for prioritizing and scheduling workload and resources; trouble-shooting and resolving issues within the lab section; conducting regular lab section meetings; providing effective leadership and supervision to a unionized employee work group including conducting performance reviews, recognizing achievements and appropriately addressing performance related concerns in consultation with the supervising Veterinary Pathologist. Additionally, the Technical Supervisor will: write SOPs and work instructions; identify training needs, schedule training programs and ensure that all applicable SOPs and health & safety regulations are adhered to; utilize their technical expertise through the hands-on provision of a wide range of testing services; provide quotations for contract work; monitor QC and resolve issues brought forward through the non-conformance reporting process (CAPA), in order to support continuous improvement of client services. The Technical Supervisor also contributes to daily Histotechnology activities in the laboratory, including: receiving, recording and preparing tissue specimens for microscopic examination, including embedding tissues in paraffin, cutting sections, and staining slides; specialized techniques, and special (histochemical) staining requirements, including immunohistochemistry; maintaining stock of tissue controls; maintaining quality control by investigating and correcting unsatisfactory test results; preparing reagents used in routine and special techniques; assisting with method development projects; filing and retrieving slides and blocks; preparing summaries and special reports; providing technical guidance and instruction to colleagues, students and staff; maintaining adequate inventory supplies; investigating and resolving client service issues; and maintaining laboratory cleanliness and safety. Requirements Three-year Community College program with Medical Laboratory Technologist certification or equivalent, 4 years related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven leadership and supervisory skills (preferably within a unionized environment), with a demonstrated ability to motivate and guide teams in a high-volume laboratory with tight, client-driven deadlines. Ability to effectively trouble-shoot and resolve issues. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. Excellent client service skills and experience managing a diverse group of internal and external clients. Thorough knowledge of laboratory quality systems (e.g., ISO 17025) and accreditation requirements including: the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD); the Standards Council of Canada (SCC); and the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA). Superior administrative, organizational and supply management skills. Familiarity with laboratory information systems and basic laboratory accounting is needed. Rabies immunization is required. Employee Type: Regular Position Number: 10482109 Classification: P&M FT- Band 05 Professional/Managerial Salary Bands The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade. At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. Posting Date: 10/02/2026 Closing Date: 10/16/2026

What you’ll do

The Technical Supervisor oversees daily histotechnology laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and rigorous quality control. They provide leadership to unionized staff, manage workloads, and contribute hands-on technical expertise in specimen preparation and testing.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a three-year community college program with Medical Laboratory Technologist certification or equivalent, along with at least four years of related experience. Proven leadership skills, familiarity with laboratory quality systems, and the ability to resolve complex technical and client service issues are required.

Listed skills

• Team Leadership · Preferred
• Quality Control · Preferred
• Conflict Resolution · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Inventory management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Histotechnology
• Laboratory management
• Team leadership
• Quality control
• SOP development
• Immunohistochemistry
• Specimen preparation
• Conflict resolution
• Problem-solving
• Accreditation compliance
• ISO 17025
• Laboratory information systems
• Performance management
• Staff training
• Inventory management
• Tissue Preparation
• Leadership Effectiveness
• Method Development
• Supervision
• Animal Health
• Supply Management
• Motivational Skills
• Accounting
• Corrective And Preventive Action (CAPA)
• Cleanliness
• Customer Service
• Client Services
• Medical Laboratory
• Conflict Resolution
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Pathology
• Leadership
• Embedding
• ISO/IEC 17025
• Problem Solving
• Operations Management
• Operations
• Performance Review
• Paraffin Tissue Processing
• Technical Supervision
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Scheduling
• Filing
• Diversification (Investing)
• Rabies
• Quality Control
• Teamwork

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Management & Leadership
• Science & Research
• Administrative
• Histotechnologist
• Clinical Laboratory Manager
• Research and Development Managers
• Medical and Health Services Managers

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