Clinical Lab Scientist I

Quest Diagnostics

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Lab Scientist I performs clinical laboratory testing in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. The role is based in San Juan Capistrano, California, with a Thursday-to-Monday schedule from 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM. The pay range is $40.00–$56.44 per hour. Employees may be eligible for a shift differential of 10% for some or all second-shift hours and 15% for some or all third-shift hours. Salary offers consider relevant skills, training, experience, education, certifications, market factors, and organizational factors. Successful candidates may also be eligible for annual performance bonus compensation. The position performs moderate to highly complex clinical tests, evaluates specimens and results, prepares and evaluates reagents and controls, and maintains laboratory equipment and quality systems. It also includes troubleshooting, documentation, training and supervision of unlicensed staff as needed, communication with coworkers and customers, participation in quality improvement activities, and compliance with safety, environmental, infection-control, and confidentiality requirements. Continuing education must meet California state licensure requirements. The role requires a bachelor's degree in medical technology or another life or physical science from an accredited college or university, and a current state Clinical Laboratory Scientist license where required. Required direct laboratory experience is zero to three years. Physical duties may include lifting and carrying items, repetitive tasks, frequent grasping, reaching and fine manipulation, and prolonged sitting or standing. Color-vision testing is required for technical functions involving detection or rating of color intensity.

Requirements

Zero to three years of direct experience in a laboratory setting.
Bachelor's degree in medical technology or another life or physical science from an accredited college or university.
Current state Clinical Laboratory Scientist license where required, such as in California.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to lift and carry objects frequently weighing 1–10 pounds, occasionally weighing 11–25 pounds, and seldom weighing 26–50 pounds; objects over 50 pounds must not be lifted or carried without assistance.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks, frequent simple grasping, reaching and fine manipulation, and to sit and/or stand for long periods.
Good eye-hand coordination.
Ability to pass color-blindness testing when entering or transferring into technical functions requiring detection of, or rating the intensity of, colors.
Ability to use required personal protective equipment and comply with health, safety, environmental, and infection-control procedures.

Nice To Haves

Strong typing skills are desirable.
Other automation skills are helpful.

Responsibilities

Independently perform moderate to highly complex clinical tests in accordance with required procedures and policies.
Perform newly introduced laboratory tests requiring defined skills.
Prepare or oversee preparation of reagents, media, stock solutions, standards, and controls; test new reagents or controls and evaluate their usefulness.
Determine whether specimens are acceptable for testing under established criteria.
Calculate results using testing data through manual or computerized procedures and enter results accurately.
Review computer reports for accurate laboratory result reporting and follow analytical schedules to maintain turnaround times.
Evaluate routine and complex analyses before releasing patient reports; respond appropriately to critical, unusual, or unexpected results and document actions taken.
Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, instrument performance checks, and required linearity, accuracy, and precision checks.
Perform quality control and calibrations at the appropriate frequency, evaluate results, and determine whether results can be released.
Select and evaluate control materials using established criteria and initiate corrective action when test systems fail to meet criteria.
Accurately perform and record proficiency testing and detect and correct technical or operational problems.
Notify the supervisor and contact manufacturer or field service support when additional assistance is needed.
Track and label reagents and supplies accurately, and maintain a safe and neat work area.
Communicate effectively with staff, managers, suppliers, and internal and external customers; participate in staff and assigned Quality Improvement meetings.
Take on additional business-related responsibilities or projects as delegated, including evaluating techniques and procedures, method comparisons, cost analysis, reference ranges, technical procedures, productivity, and key results measures.
Follow company procedures and guidelines for safety, environmental protection, and infection control; collect and dispose of waste in proper receptacles and use required personal protective equipment.
Maintain integrity and honesty when handling confidential information.
Provide direct and constant supervision to unlicensed staff as necessary, train staff in routine and complex procedures, and support training programs where applicable.
Maintain professional growth and development through continuing education that meets California state licensure requirements.
Answer phones, transfer calls, or take accurate messages.
Comply with health and safety policies, procedures, and practices, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Day 1 medical, supplemental health, dental, and vision coverage for full-time employees working 30 or more hours.
Well-being programs.
Annual no-cost health assessment program.
Blueprint for Wellness healthyMINDS mental health program.
Vacation and Health/Flex Time.
Six holidays plus one “MyDay” off.
FinFit financial coaching and services.
401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service.
Employee stock purchase plan.
Life and disability insurance, with a buy-up option.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Annual incentive plans.
Matching gifts program.
Education assistance through MyQuest for Education.
Career advancement opportunities.
Potential annual performance bonus compensation.
Potential second- or third-shift differential.