Lab Technician II - QC - Day Shift

1.0 FTE, full-time rotating 8-hour shift role (10:00 AM – 6:30 PM) with a rotating weekend schedule, located at Stanford Blood Center, 3373 Hillview Ave, Palo Alto, California.

About the role

Prepare clinical specimens for laboratory testing. Receive, accession, aliquot, and process specimens. Set up, maintain, troubleshoot, and assist in validation of instruments. Take quality control measurements, including environmental, equipment/software, and product quality controls.

Responsibilities

• Prepare clinical samples and products for testing, including accessioning and processing, following laboratory protocols.
• Set up instruments (programming instructions, specimen and reagent placement, and labware) for automated laboratory tasks.
• Maintain instruments, including reagent replenishment, cleaning, and other required actions.
• Perform additional tasks assigned by Supervisor or Laboratory Director, which may include but not be limited to:
  • Prepare reagents for the lab, as requested.
  • Change equipment supplies when needed.
  • Document and transcribe quality control measures, including environmental readings for lab, equipment function checks, and isolation quality control.
  • Train back-up staff as necessary.
  • Recommend necessary changes for better workflow and coordinate implementation with supervisor.
  • Respond to emergency staffing situations as requested.
  • May be assigned to assist or substitute for other Level I or II lab technicians, Lab Assistants, or other staff.
  • Order, receive, and stock supplies, and perform laboratory maintenance.
• Maintain sample inventories, including receipt, processing, storage, and disposal of samples when necessary.
• Update computer databases for sample storage and fix errors in data entry.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• 2 years of college education in biology or related field strongly preferred.
• 1 year of relevant laboratory experience required.

Skills

• Strong attention to detail to find discrepancies or missing information, arrange instruments correctly, or handle samples accurately.
• Ability to notice potential or actual problems and take initiative to correct them.
• Must learn and use complex computer systems for specimen tracking, labeling, and worksheet generation.
• Knowledge of computer use including moderately advanced Microsoft Excel (beyond simple data entry).
• Experience with operating laboratory instruments such as automated measurement instruments.
• Critical thinking and ability to implement corrective actions when needed.
• Must be able to understand and apply laboratory policies and procedures; must adhere strictly to established protocols.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Physical Demands

• Occasional Sitting.
• Frequent Walking, Standing, Bending, Hand Use, Repetitive Motion Hand Use, Grasping, Fine Manipulation, Pushing and Pulling, Reaching (above shoulder level), Twisting and Turning (Neck and Waist).
• Occasional Squatting, Kneeling.
• Seldom Climbing, Crawling.
• Frequent Vision (Color, Peripheral, Distance, Focus).
• Frequent Computer use.
• Frequent lifting of 0 - 10 lbs.
• Occasional lifting of 11 - 20 lbs, 21 - 30 lbs.
• Frequent carrying of 0 - 10 lbs.
• Occasional carrying of 11 - 20 lbs.

Working Environment

• Frequent Working around equipment and machinery.
• Occasional Exposure to dust, gas, fumes, or chemicals.
• Seldom Exposure to excessive noise, extremes in temperature, humidity or wetness, walking on uneven ground, working at heights, operation of foot controls or repetitive foot movement.
• Occasional Use of special visual or auditory protective equipment.
• Frequent Working with biohazards such as blood-borne pathogens, hospital waste, etc. (Blood Borne Pathogens Category I - Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues).

Pay

Generally starting at $44.59 - $50.05 per hour. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.