Senior Laboratory Technician

START Center for Cancer Research • Fort Worth, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Laboratory Technician, Labs and PK, supports the investigation team in carrying out phase 1 research protocols in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures. Under general supervision, the role performs point-of-care testing and laboratory receiving, processing, handling, storage, and shipping procedures, as well as equipment maintenance and inventory control. The position is based at 900 W Magnolia Ave, Suite 200, Fort Worth, Texas. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an on-call weekend rotation.

The technician manages clinical and research specimens throughout their lifecycle, including assessing acceptability and integrity, processing and preparing samples for shipment, and maintaining accurate records. The role performs authorized laboratory testing, operates analyzers and other equipment, reviews quality control and test results, and escalates concerns or critical findings through established procedures. It also supports study-specific tissue and biospecimen workflows, external laboratory coordination, laboratory quality activities, safety, compliance, and readiness for inspections and audits.

Administrative duties include maintaining study and laboratory documentation, recording data in electronic systems, managing supplies and sample records, and completing shipping and requisition documentation. The role also performs scheduled equipment sanitation and maintenance and participates in on-call rotations for emergency response involving drug and specimen storage and emergency management.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology.
• Two years of experience in a laboratory setting, with a solid understanding of laboratory techniques and safety protocols.
• Experience in data management.
• Experience in logistics and operations.
• Experience with electronic medical record programs and laboratory information systems.
• General knowledge of medical terminology.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well independently.
• Ability to troubleshoot unplanned situations while meeting established deadlines.
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Office and ability to learn new software.
• Ability to maintain punctuality and good attendance and to work flexible hours to accommodate the clinic patient schedule.
• Ability to perform only testing authorized by the laboratory, the employee’s license, validated procedures, and documented training and competency.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, biological science, chemistry, or a related discipline.
• At least one year of clinical laboratory experience; qualifying clinical training or internship experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical laboratory processes; quality control principles; instrument maintenance; troubleshooting; and accurate result documentation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate specimen labeling, documentation, chain of custody, handling, processing, storage, packaging, and shipment in accordance with protocol, laboratory, and organizational requirements.
• Evaluate specimens against written acceptability criteria and identify concerns that could affect integrity, including hemolysis, clotting, contamination, incorrect labeling, temperature excursions, or insufficient volume.
• Centrifuge, aliquot, process, store, and prepare clinical and research specimens for shipment according to approved procedures.
• Perform CLIA-waived, point-of-care, and other specifically authorized laboratory testing.
• Operate approved point-of-care analyzers and laboratory equipment according to manufacturer instructions and written procedures.
• Review analyzer alerts, error codes, and quality control results; suspend testing and escalate concerns when acceptance criteria are not met.
• Participate in assigned proficiency testing, competency assessments, inspections, audits, corrective actions, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Prepare specimens for external laboratory vendors.
• Enter, document, or transmit laboratory and point-of-care test results according to procedures and assigned system permissions.
• Review results for completeness and identify critical values, abnormal findings, analyzer flags, and concerns requiring escalation.
• Notify the ordering provider or designated licensed professional of critical results or significant findings according to established procedures.
• Document communications, interventions, read-backs, and follow-up actions related to laboratory results.
• Maintain required nursing, laboratory, instrument, testing, and specimen-management competencies.
• Follow applicable laws and regulations, the site laboratory certificate or permit, study protocols, laboratory procedures, and START policies.
• Maintain quality control, maintenance, competency, communication, and testing records as assigned.
• Support readiness for inspections, accreditation reviews, and regulatory audits.
• Maintain supplies, monitor lot numbers and expiration dates, and remove expired or compromised materials from use.
• Follow infection prevention, exposure control, biohazard, chemical safety, privacy, and waste-disposal requirements.
• Stop testing and notify laboratory or clinical leadership when equipment, specimen, quality control, authorization, or patient-safety concerns arise.
• Receive, process, handle, store, and ship biospecimens according to study specifications and applicable requirements.
• Prepare research sample collection supplies according to study specifications.
• Adhere to company SOPs and GLPs and record data in electronic data systems in compliance with them.
• Process and ship tissue specimens according to protocol requirements; coordinate with healthcare providers to receive patient tissue and prepare tissue specimens as required by study protocols.
• Perform Pharmacokinetic Department administrative functions, including work tally records, scanning forms, filing, and sample management documentation.
• Complete study forms, including shipping logs and documentation, sample requisition forms, flow sheets, and sample manifests.
• Sanitize laboratory equipment on daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly schedules and perform and record scheduled equipment maintenance.
• Participate in on-call rotations for emergency response involving drug and specimen storage and for emergency management.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Eligibility for an annual performance bonus, based on role and company results.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage and optional insurance options.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program providing confidential, no-cost support for employees and their families from day one.
• Flexible FSA and HSA plans.
• A supportive environment that values balance, wellbeing, and flexibility.
• A collaborative workplace that supports continuous learning and professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree