Medical Laboratory Scientist - Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Microbiology

Seattle Children's Hospital•Seattle, WA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Scientist – Clinical & Molecular Microbiology role delivers high-complexity diagnostic testing and seamless cross-coverage across both laboratory sections. Designed for an experienced scientist, this position independently performs culture-based organism identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics, and Sanger sequencing for complex bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Beyond routine testing, the role drives daily operations—including specimen processing, result verification, quality control, instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting—while ensuring strict compliance with CAP, CLIA, and regulatory standards to support continuous, high-quality patient care. Perform moderate- to high-complexity clinical laboratory tests in an assigned department of the clinical laboratory to provide physicians with rapid and accurate laboratory test results.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Eligibility for Certification by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education or a National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies (NCHCA). Common credentials are granted by ASCP, NCA or AMT.
State Certifications are also acceptable.
Must obtain certification within six months of hire.
As per the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), for Clinical Lab Scientist performing moderate or high-complexity point-of-care testing, a copy of a diploma or transcript of the highest level of academic achievement must be on record with Human Resources upon hire.
For personnel trained outside of the U.S., records of diploma/transcript must provide documented equivalency evaluation by a nationally recognized credentialing agency.

Nice To Haves

3–5 years of progressive experience in Clinical Microbiology, with extensive hands-on expertise in both classical microbiology, including culture-based diagnostics, organism identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and molecular microbiology, including PCR and other molecular diagnostic methods.

Responsibilities

Performs culture-based organism identification
Performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Performs molecular diagnostics
Performs Sanger sequencing for complex bacteria, fungi, and viruses
Drives daily operations including specimen processing, result verification, quality control, instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting
Ensures strict compliance with CAP, CLIA, and regulatory standards
Perform moderate- to high-complexity clinical laboratory tests in an assigned department of the clinical laboratory to provide physicians with rapid and accurate laboratory test results.