Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

Abbott Rapid Diagnostics is part of Abbott’s Diagnostics family of businesses, bringing together exceptional teams of experts and industry leading technologies to support diagnostic testing which provides important information for treatment and management of diseases and other conditions.

The position of Clinical Laboratory Scientist is within our Toxicology Laboratories located at Santa Rosa, CA. The California Department of Health in implementation of CLIA requirements requires that testing of clinical specimens be performed by licensed personnel. This role will be instrumental in meeting regulatory compliance stipulations and providing timely results to our clients.

What You’ll Work On

• Adequately display the knowledge and ability to carry out approved tests to comply with department objectives and state of California and CLIA requirements
• Perform laboratory tests in accordance with laboratory standard procedures, applying knowledge, expertise, and sound judgement in final review and certification of results prior to release.
• Safely handle hazardous materials observing all safety rules and regulations to mitigate underlying risk of exposure to self and others. Promptly report incidents, near misses and chemical spills to EH&S.
• Apply high-quality scientific techniques to challenge test results and prove their accuracy and validity and, ensure they are defensible.
• Review calibration and QC results to ensure they meet specification limits and that appropriate corrective actions are taken to achieve acceptability prior to releasing any donor test results.
• Investigate inconsistent lab results and inform the appropriate group of the observed inconsistencies so that appropriate corrective actions are taken – including halting production if necessary.
• Monitor QC performance for shifts and/or trends and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
• Clean and maintain analytical equipment to manufacturer specifications, assist with troubleshooting as necessary and, calibrate acceptably prior to use per CLIA requirements.
• Maintain proper documentation for calibration, QC acceptance, equipment maintenance, specimen handling, and results certification as required.
• Assist in investigations into specimen handling procedures, analytical testing, production issues and other quality incidents as required by the department manager.
• Assist in the development and approval of Standard Operating Procedures and protocols for the department.
• Provide assistance, supervision, training and support for Unlicensed Testing Personnel and certify their continued competency per state requirements.
• As applicable, attend seminars and obtain training as necessary to maintain and improve professional knowledge and to satisfy continuing education requirements for state of California CLS licensing.
• Follow all new and revised lab procedures as directed by the Department Manager, General Supervisor, Technical Supervisor or Lab Director.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Provides general or direct supervision of Lab General personnel and general Clerical Personnel as required according to lab law and regulations in the absence of the Department Manager, General Supervisor and Lab Director
• Functions as a Technical Supervisor according to CLIA regulations and assists the Quality team with Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement activities consistent with the Laboratory Quality Plan.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science
• Must be licensed by the state of California under BPC, Chapter 3 as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist or Toxicologist or, Chemist)
• Minimum of 5 years of general clinical laboratory experience with knowledge of toxicology
• Must possess strong work ethic with commitment to safety, compliance, and quality
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences and, provide coaching to peers and sub ordinates
• Ability to work in a flexible work environment (move between laboratory and office) with constant interruptions and requests for support throughout the day

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a toxicology laboratory
• Hands-on experience with mass spectrometry instrumentation and testing methodologies
• Experience reviewing mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS and/or GC/MS) data within a toxicology laboratory setting

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

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The base pay for this position is $34.95 – $69.85 per hour. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.