Quality Control Lab Tech II

Job Title: Quality Control Lab Tech II

Department:  Lab Services - Quality Control

Starting Pay: $25.25 per hour

Are you passionate about making a real difference in your community? Are you looking for a job where you can contribute to a meaningful cause and grow professionally? If so, San Diego Blood Bank invites you to join our dynamic & diverse team dedicated to the mission of saving & improving lives through blood and biotherapies.

WHY CHOOSE SDBB?
At San Diego Blood Bank, we provide Southern California regional hospitals with a wide range of blood banking services. These include blood collection, component preparation, plateletpheresis, plasmapheresis, leukapheresis, washed blood, frozen blood, autologous storage, designated donation services, and a reference laboratory. San Diego Blood Bank’s Cord Blood Banking Program provides lifesaving stem cell transplants to patients worldwide.

Founded in 1950, San Diego Blood Bank has been an important institution in the San Diego community for decades. Today, SDBB is continuing to grow to meet the changing needs of our healthcare community.

 San Diego Blood Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization also operating as Southern California Blood Bank. We serve hospitals in San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange Counties. We are the primary blood provider to Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and the safety net for hospitals in our region. Every year, more than 150,000 units of blood provided by San Diego Blood Bank are transfused into patients of all ages, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds throughout Southern California. These patients are struggling with life-threatening medical conditions including cancer and other blood disorders, severe burns, organ transplants, emergency surgery, trauma, childbirth complications and more.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Summary)

Under minimal supervision and direction of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Quality control Lab Technicians perform manufacturing processes in a highly regulated environment—from receipt of unprocessed apheresis platelets, through maintaining accurate records of finished components in preparation to distribute to available inventory. The QC lab technicians test products across the three stages of production (before, in-process, and final) to ensure the high quality and maximum efficacy of blood components.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE (Key Responsibilities)

• Perform essential laboratory responsibilities according to established procedures.
• Support the SDBB safety, GMP and Quality Plan.  Adheres to GMP guidelines. 
• Safely operate laboratory equipment in accordance with established SOPs
• Obtain samples for product QC testing and further manufacturing
• Perform donor and product quality control evaluations
• Perform sterility testing on apheresis platelets and operate Bact/ALERT instrument
• Perform pathogen reduction process using illuminator instrument
• Operate Hematology analyzer to manufacture platelets using large volume delayed sampling and pathogen reduction methods.
• Perform pH analysis using pH Meters
• Perform residual WBC testing using Fluorescence Microscopy method
• Perform routine equipment QC and maintenance.
• Evaluate, gather data, trend, and assess results
• Assist in training new personnel and other staff members. 
• Assist in laboratory paperwork documenting information accurately and completely in a timely manner.
• Complete all tests required for each product
• Initiate and participate in the investigations and assess any potential impact on product quality. Conduct retesting of product as needed to support quality investigations
• Participate in research projects.
• Participate in department meetings and educational programs.
• Communicate with production personnel and Quality Assurance department
• Must be detail oriented, well organized and display good time management skills.
• Integrity and discretion - ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to perform under pressure and work under stressful situations. 
• Assist with validations, special projects, and new process developments.
• Monitor supply inventory levels and assist with material ordering.
• Understand and adhere to the policies and standards as developed as part of the San Diego Blood Bank Compliance Program.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Working Environment  

• Normal laboratory environment with biohazard precautions. 
• May be exposed to blood or bodily fluids that may be capable of transmitting diseases.
• May be exposed to chemicals that may be hazardous. 
• May be called on to work or attend meetings at other than routinely scheduled hours. 

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand or sit long hours.
• Must be able to work on a computer 4 – 8 hours a day.
• Must be able to communicate clearly.
• May be required to lift to 40 pounds.

Equipment Used

• General office equipment (computer, printer, fax, copy machine).
• Various software systems (Blood Establishment Computer System, Quality Management System)
• Laboratory equipment, including, but not limited to:
• Centrifuges.
• Heat sealers.
• Scales.
• Refrigerators/incubators.
• Sterile Connection Devices.
• BacT/ALERT 3D analyzer.
• Hematology cell counter.
• Illuminators.
• ADAM rWBC analyzer.
• pH Meter.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Minimum Qualifications)

• Organized and able to efficiently prioritize and handle multiple tasks at one time to provide a productive workflow.
• Professional communication both written and oral, which is clear and precise.
• Must be detail oriented, well organized and display good time management skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure and work under stressful situations. 
• Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain professional relationships.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science Degree required.

Experience:

• New Hires/Current Staff: Educational requirements required.

Skills:

• Organized and able to efficiently prioritize and handle multiple tasks at one time to provide a productive workflow.
• Professional communication both written and oral, which is clear and precise.

BENEFITS FOR YOU

We take care of you, while you take care of others. As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive benefits help you in balancing home and work. With our resources and perks, you have amazing possibilities at the San Diego Blood Bank including:

• Employees working 30 or more hours per week are eligible for employer sponsored health benefits (Medical, Dental, & Vision plans)
• Earn up to 120 hours of paid vacation in your first year.
• 7 paid Holidays + 1 personal holiday provided annually.
• 40 hours of paid sick time provided annually.
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match starting on your first day.
• Employee Assistance Program - Free for employees and their families
• Service Awards and recognition.

The San Diego Blood Bank is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.