The Department of Pathology seeks a Clinical Laboratory Specialist  who will oversee a variety of complex experimental tests and leads in development of new molecular assays and techniques. This position requires subject matter expertise/knowledge to execute and analyze results. The Clinical Laboratory Specialist performs clinical assay development while multiple tests will be developed in parallel. This role includes independence in reviewing, understanding and applying literature in consultation with pathologists is required and will coordinate with other staff doing developmental work as well as collaborate with technologists who will be performing the test clinically once development has been completed. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Using comprehensive scientific knowledge, maintains both research and clinical diagnostic test environment.
• Performs a variety of complex technical procedures on different specimens, including but not limited to: blood, CSF, respiratory, or formalin-fixed paraffin embedded specimens in the assigned laboratory.
• Maintains divisional compliance with all regulatory standards and adheres to all established QA/QC procedures. Documents results under quality assurance guidelines and provides recommendations to technical staff, ensuring reproducibility of results.
• Follows standard operating procedures for preparing samples developed for molecular assays in support of patient care and research.
• Troubleshoots implementation of new venues or protocols to the lab SOP's. Develops new quality standards for molecular assays.
• Works closely with the Medical Directors to understand their scientific questions/aims, and offer support, implementation, and analysis of any type of molecular assay to reach their goals.
• Performs literature search and review, and orders necessary supplies, in preparation for development.
• Ensures that data is accurately maintained and organized.  Records timelines, status reports, and logs.  Maintains laboratory notebooks.
• Writes SOPs and validation summaries for completed development projects, and assists in manuscript writing.
• Works with laboratory support staff and assists in the training of technical personnel.
• Strictly complies with patient care and confidentiality policies, HIPAA regulations.
• Performs miscellaneous related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• Bachelor's degree, in biology, chemistry, or related field.
• 5 years' experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.
• Master's degree with related graduate research may substitute for some experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree and knowledge of clinical and research testing.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Work produced is subject to precise measure of quantity and quality.
• Attention to detail is critical to the successful performance of this job as it directly affects patient diagnoses or research outcomes.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, see and hear. 
• May sit or stand for prolonged periods and occasionally required to walk. 
• The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, touch, feel, and type.
• May reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch. 
• Prolonged vision requirements including viewing computer screen, paper reports/documents, charts and results.
• Visual acuity is required to distinguish fine gradation of color or structure and closely examine specimens microscopically. Must possess manual dexterity sufficient to work with small instruments and delicate equipment.
• Clinical laboratory environment - Exposure to toxins and infectious agents exist, but potential for personal injury or harm is minimized if established safety and health precautions are followed. Working in laboratory where there may be discomforts due to odors, noise, temperature fluctuations, and working around lab equipment.
• May transport equipment and supplies usually less than 40 pounds from one area to another. May be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with proper training, or precautions/lifting aides.
• In some areas work space is confined; therefore, mobility may be difficult.
• Staff may be required to complete annual competency review, and must insure compliance with Hospital Policy, Laboratory Policy & Procedure, Health, Safety & Environment regulations, and all applicable privacy & confidentiality laws/practices.
• Must be detail oriented, organized, and accurate.
• Many department laboratories operate 24/7 with schedules on day, evening, or night shift.  Rotating schedules which may include weekend work and holiday assignment. Overtime possible when authorized/needed to meet business and patient needs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, knowledge, or abilities required of the position.

JHU Equivalency Formula:  30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience.  Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis.  For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Classified Title: Clinical Laboratory Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MD 
Starting Salary Range: $53,020 - $72,935 annually (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F 8:30am - 5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt  
Location: School of Medicine Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM Pat Pathology Medical Microbiology 
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work.  Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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