
Lead Laboratory Technician
- Spokane, WA
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Maintains demonstrated proficiency with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
- Performs semen evaluations to screen, process, and preserve for future clinical use.
- Executes an array of laboratory procedures including but not limited to:
- Daily setup of all laboratory equipment and daily QC.
- Intrauterine (IUI) and intracervical (ICI) insemination semen preparation.
- Sample Qualification- post-thaw sample analysis with both manual and automated analysis.
- Preparation of bodily fluid including blood, urine, and semen packing for specimen transport to reference laboratories.
- Executes cryogenic procedures including routine liquid nitrogen storage-tank verifications, internal vial transfers between tanks, vial quality control checks, preparing samples and shipping containers for vial movement.
- Conducts and accurately records all required daily, monthly and yearly quality control checks; responds with corrective action when needed.
- Communicates any errors, accidents or incidents to Management and records in associated tracking and record logs.
- Performs routine cleaning of laboratory equipment.
- Complies with all regulatory, quality assurance, quality control, operating, and safety procedures to audit-ready standards.
- Completes Bi-annual and annual proficiency and competency assessments.
- Participates in the review of standard operating procedures.
- Responsible for aliquoting and maintaining necessary aliquot-inventory levels for all media to maintain production.
- Responsible for lab supply maintenance.
- Performs all necessary opening and closing duties.
- Provides coverage for donor-related tasks such as identification while ensuring privacy and maintaining the utmost professionalism.
- May perform phlebotomy if licensed.
- Responsible for participation in training for new laboratory technicians
- Reviewing and coding of invoices, if applicable
- Leads audit preparation and participate actively in internal audits, if applicable
- Monthly inventory ordering and periodic inventory monitoring
- Leason between Senior Management and lab vendors for basic lab-related questions when lab management unavailable
- Responsible for training new technicians under management direction
- Preliminary Worksheet Review
- Posting and manifest generation
- In depth understanding of requirements for equipment ensuring all equipment is acceptable for use and cleaned per protocol
- Performs as a leader in the laboratory. Available to answer technical questions. Works in collaboration with Laboratory Manager, Laboratory Supervisor and/or Branch Manager in management and oversight of laboratory duties. Responsible for performing competency assessments of Laboratory Technicians.
- In collaboration with Laboratory Manager, Laboratory Supervisor and/or Branch Manager, participates in specimen worksheet review, inventory and supply management, quality control record review, equipment management and preventative maintenance scheduling
- Assures completion and accurate recording of all required quality control (QC) checks and documents corrective action as needed
- Assists with reviews and signs off on potential donor specimen evaluations, as applicable.
- Assists in reviews of reference lab testing and follows up on positive results and/or discrepancies as applicable
- Assists in keeping staff training documents up to date
- If applicable for location, on-call responsibilities may be required.
- Other duties and projects as required.
- Bachelor's degree in science, and six years of experience required; and/or equivalent combination of education and 8-10 years' experience.
- Advanced knowledge of techniques and procedures obtained through prior work experience or education.
- Ability to speak and write English; communicate effectively and professionally with clients and external contacts; read and interpret documents, such as procedure manuals; effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to clients and employees.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals and to compute rate, ratio and percent.
- Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form and deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
- Knowledge of MS Word and Excel
- Phlebotomy certificate desirable but not required
- Phase-contrast microscopy skills; excellent customer service skills; strong attention to details; ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously; high level of interpersonal skills to interact with peers and management; excellent organizational skills; ability to maintain confidentiality; and ability to travel if required.
- Familiarity with laboratory and medical terminology; training in the handling of liquid nitrogen and experience with pipettes and microscopy desirable.
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and depth perception.
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.