Clinical Laboratory Scientist I

About this opportunity:

At Freenome, we are seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist I (CLS I) who will perform high-complexity laboratory testing on patient specimens, performing quality control and quality assurance procedures, and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laboratory requirements. The work requires keeping meticulous and organized records; excellent attention to detail; and the ability to flexibly prioritize multiple tasks and schedules, analysis, and results.

The CLS I will be involved with training, troubleshooting, leading projects, meeting project deliverables, and understanding and implementing laboratory goals. The CLS I must also demonstrate excellent communication skills, proactively communicating team goals and priorities clearly, openly and objectively, and communicating changes, issues and challenges in all directions of the organization.

This role reports to the Supervisor, Analytical Laboratory.

Working Hours:

This position follows one of two schedules, (subject to change based on business needs):

Shift 1:

Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Shift 2:

Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Onboarding training for Shift 2 takes place Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and may last up to two (2) months. Periodic extended hours and weekend rotations may be required for approximately six (6) months.

What you’ll do:

• Perform high-complexity laboratory tests, procedures, and analyses according to the laboratory’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions
• Collaborate with the Development Team and the Automation Team to lead and to execute assay improvement experiments, new assay configurations, and validations
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and document routine preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment according to the laboratory’s SOPs for machines and devices including, but not limited to, the following: centrifuges, freezers, refrigerators, pipettors, incubators, NovaSeq units, Flexmap units, Blue® Washers, Bravo units, Hamilton units, and work cells, as needed
• Review, interpret, and report patient results in the company’s laboratory information management system (LIMS) as assigned
• Independently identify and troubleshoot high-complexity assay problems that adversely affect the test performance
• Perform, review, and document laboratory quality control procedures
• Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications
• Report all quality issues and/or safety concerns to the laboratory supervisor or safety officer
• Train existing laboratory personnel in new procedures and train new laboratory personnel
• Prepare reagents required for testing
• Perform and document reagent qualification per the approved protocols
• Provide direct supervision of the work of unlicensed laboratory personnel during the analytical phase of testing
• Write and review procedures, documents, and forms
• Communicate effectively with coworkers and non-laboratory personnel
• Perform other laboratory duties as assigned
• Assist in sample and process troubleshooting
• Monitor data and process status as needed
• Must haves: Valid California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license (Generalist preferred, CGMBS accepted)
• Bachelor of Arts or Science in Biomedical Laboratory Science, Clinical Science or related field
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laboratory regulations
• Zero to 1 years of Clinical Laboratory experience or equivalent
• Ability to integrate and apply feedback in a professional manner
• Ability to analyze and problem solve complex issues that may impact test performance
• Experience working with laboratory automation such as Hamilton or Bravo liquid handlers
• Flexibility to variable shift start times depending on operational needs
• Nice to haves: Laboratory testing experience preferred
• High volume laboratory experience preferred
• Experience in molecular biology techniques preferred
• Strong automation and computing skills