Lead Clinical Lab Scientist

POSITION SUMMARY:

Assists in analyzing specimens and works closely with supervisor to make sure production goals are met.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Verify the proper specimen being analyzed for patients and perform correct tests that need to be completed
• Assists the team in day-to-day lab work according to standard operating procedure with little to no errors
• Follows GLP (good laboratory practice); reports non-conformity of SOPs to supervisor/manager
• Ensures production work is consistently completed in a timely manner.
• Ensures all case samples are processed and accounted for
• Assists supervisor in completing side projects assigned by the manager
• Go to person on the lab floor and when supervisor is not present
• Trains new hires with the current lab processes and assists supervisor in training/implementation of new process changes.
• Assists supervisor and lab trainer in completing competency for staff.
• Train on specialized instructions for instruments/protocols (super users)
• Recognizes and escalates equipment malfunctions; troubleshoots most errors
• Understands the entire lab process and identifies/troubleshoots issues when they arise.
• Ensures new lab changes are implemented properly on the lab floor
• Escalates lab issues and team concerns to supervisor and/or manager. Suggests possible solutions.
• Escalates any discrepancies of team members’ performance to supervisor
• Provides feedback during performance evaluations for team members
• Meets regularly with the Supervisor
• Keeps team morale up and maintains professionalism of team members, including by acting as a role model
• Adheres to departmental expectations
• This role works with PHI on a regular basis both in paper and electronic form and have an access to various technologies to access PHI (paper and electronic) in order to perform the job
• Employee must complete training relating to HIPAA/PHI privacy, General Policies and Procedure Compliance training and security training as soon as possible but not later than the first 30 days of hire.
• Must maintain a current status on Natera training requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+ years of experience as a Medical Technologist or equivalent in a clinical laboratory environment.
• BS/BA degree (or equivalent) in Medical Technology, Biological Sciences, or related field
• Current California CLS license or CGMBS license (Clinical Genetics Molecular Biology Scientist)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, computer, troubleshooting, and pipetting skills.
• Experience in Molecular Biology.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Word processing and data management skills.

Must be able to discern color visually [or be able to evaluate cellular morphology when applicable] and pass applicable screening assessment