Clinical Laboratory Technical Specialist

United Urology Group•Beltsville, MD

2d•$90,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Technical Specialist plays a key role in performing, reviewing, and reporting clinical diagnostic testing to support providers, including urologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, and advanced practice providers, in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease. Working under the direction of the National Laboratory Director and in collaboration with the Medical Director and Laboratory Operations Manager, this position supports clinical chemistry, immunoassay, hematology, microbiology, and molecular diagnostic testing, with a primary focus on Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics. The Clinical Laboratory Technical Specialist serves as a senior technical resource within the laboratory, particularly in the Microbiology and Molecular departments and is responsible for ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance, quality performance, and operational efficiency across assigned laboratory disciplines. This role requires advanced clinical laboratory expertise, sound independent judgment, and the ability to effectively troubleshoot instrumentation, assay performance, and workflow-related issues while maintaining the highest standards of patient care and laboratory operations. Key responsibilities include performing and overseeing moderate- and high-complexity testing; ensuring the accurate, timely processing, analysis, and reporting of patient specimens; and maintaining compliance with established laboratory procedures, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. The position is also responsible for performing and monitoring quality control, quality assurance, calibrations, maintenance, proficiency testing, and corrective action activities to support optimal laboratory performance and reliability. In addition, the Clinical Laboratory Technical Specialist supports daily laboratory operations and continuous improvement initiatives through participation in assay and instrument evaluations, validations, verifications, workflow optimization, SOP development and review, staff training, competency assessments, and implementation of process improvements designed to enhance operational efficiency, turnaround times, and overall laboratory quality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or related scientific field required.
ASCP certification (MLS/MT, M(ASCP), MB(ASCP), or specialty certification) required.
Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a high-complexity clinical laboratory, preferably in Microbiology and/or Molecular Diagnostics.
Strong knowledge of CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission, and applicable microbiology and molecular regulatory requirements.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
Strong strategic thinking skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Excellent organizational, analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal, stakeholder, and vendor management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to thrive in ambiguous situations.
High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced laboratory environment.

Nice To Haves

Previous lead technologist, technical specialist, validation, or assay implementation experience preferred.
Experience with microbiology and molecular instrumentation, automation platforms, middleware, and laboratory information systems preferred.
Familiarity with EMR/LIS systems and laboratory integrations is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Supports the Laboratory Operations Manager with scheduling efforts and workflow design in all clinical pathology departments.
Perform routine and complex clinical chemistry, immunoassay, hematology, microbiology, and molecular diagnostic testing in accordance with established laboratory procedures and regulatory standards.
Process, culture, identify, and work up bacterial, fungal, viral, specimens using manual and automated methodologies.
Perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing and ensure accurate interpretation and reporting of results.
Perform molecular diagnostic testing including nucleic acid extraction and quantitative PCR.
Accurately analyze, interpret, verify, and report patient results within established turnaround times.
Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot clinical pathology instrumentation and equipment.
Perform quality control, quality assurance, calibration, maintenance, and proficiency testing activities.
Review and recognize abnormal, critical, or unusual findings and escalate appropriately according to laboratory policy.
Maintain accurate and complete documentation in compliance with laboratory procedures and accreditation requirements.
Assist with specimen processing, workflow prioritization, and daily operational coverage across assigned laboratory sections.
Adhere to all laboratory safety, infection control, biosafety, and HIPAA requirements.
Participate in contamination prevention practices and maintain clean molecular workflow environments.
Serve as the technical subject matter expert for assigned microbiology and molecular diagnostic assays, instrumentation, and workflows.
Lead and support validation, verification, correlation, reference range, and implementation studies for new microbiology and molecular assays, instrumentation, and software systems.
Develop, review, revise, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, competency materials, and technical documentation.
Investigate and resolve technical issues, assay failures, contamination events, instrument performance concerns, and quality deviations.
Monitor quality assurance indicators, quality control trends, contamination monitoring, and corrective/preventive action activities.
Support regulatory inspections, audits, and accreditation activities including CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission, and other applicable agencies.
Ensure compliance with molecular and microbiology-specific regulatory and biosafety standards.
Provide technical training, competency assessments, and continuing education support for laboratory personnel.
Collaborate with laboratory leadership, pathologists, practice physicians, IT, and vendors regarding assay implementations, workflow optimization, and operational improvements.
Assist with evaluation and optimization of laboratory workflows, utilization practices, automation opportunities, and turnaround time improvements.
Support middleware, LIS interface testing, and instrument connectivity activities related to microbiology and molecular platforms.
Participate in reagent evaluations, inventory management, supply oversight, and vendor coordination.
Assist with development and implementation of laboratory quality improvement initiatives and process standardization efforts.
Support troubleshooting and escalation management for complex patient cases and technical issues.