Lead Lab Technician (Molecular)

Position Summary

The Lead Technician coordinates daily laboratory operations at the bench, ensuring workflow efficiency, quality performance, and adherence to standard operating procedures. Serves as a senior technical resource and operational leader without primary responsibility for personnel management or program ownership. May function as a delegated General Supervisor in accordance with CLIA requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate workflow across accessioning, extraction, amplification, and data review Perform and oversee routine testing, including PCR and analysis Provide real-time troubleshooting for instruments and assays Monitor QA and QC Train staff and support competency assessments Ensure proper specimen handoff between accessioning and testing Monitor inventory and communicate supply needs Ensure adherence to SOPs and documentation requirements Decision-Making Authority Prioritize workflow and assign bench responsibilities Hold or delay results based on quality concerns Initiate troubleshooting and reassign tasks as needed Escalate non-routine issues to Lab Supervisor Qualifications Meets CLIA high-complexity testing personnel requirements Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science OR equivalent 2–4 years of clinical laboratory experience (molecular preferred) Experience in PCR workflows and troubleshooting Experience training or mentoring staff preferred Core Competencies Technical expertise in molecular workflows Workflow coordination and prioritization Attention to detail and quality focus Clear communication and team leadership skills