What are the responsibilities and job description for the Confirmation Extraction Chemist position at Clinical Reference Laboratory, Inc.?
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY: Perform sample preparation, extraction, cleanup and support of analytical workflows with strict adherence to departmental procedures; work in compliance to departmental safety requirements consistent with good laboratory practices.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Receive and separate samples; verify proper chain of custody, prioritize re-preps, determine prep dilutions, create batch worksheet and labels, prep samples for drugs of abuse.
• Monitor, maintain, clean, calibrate, and record needed documentation on equipment; manual single and multi-channel pipettors, balance, heat blocks, refrigerator, freezer, temperature monitoring system, glassware.
• Operate, monitor, maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and record needed documentation on instrumentation; Tecan, microplate reader, microplate washer.
• Maintain and distribute supplies; preparing reagents, re-filling troughs, re-furbishing materials needed for sample prep, keep work area neat and clean, following departmental clean up procedures in disposal of hazardous chemicals and waste.
• Perform extraction of hair matrices for drug/metabolite analysis – e.g., alkaline or acidic digestion or incubation, solvent extraction, solid phase extraction (SPE), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), dilute-and-shoot, or other appropriate methods.
• Carry out extract cleanup: e.g., SPE cartridges, filtration, evaporation, concentration, derivatization (if applicable).
• Transfer to the analytical chemistry/confirmation team.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation of extraction workflows, reagent and standard prep, instrument and equipment logs, calibration checks, QC/blank/control sample processing, and sample tracking in LIMS.
• Troubleshoot extraction failures, matrix interferences, carry-over, and ensure results meet quality, turnaround-time (TAT) and regulatory benchmarks.
• Comply with safety regulations, proper use and handling of equipment and materials.
• Read and follow laboratory SOP’s.
• Meet qualitative and quantitative production goals of the department.
• Monitor pass-through, request samples as needed, prioritize and assign batches as needed.
• Communicate with department members to ensure maximum production.
• Notify QA/QC of low reagents, low controls, and target range discrepancies.
Notify management of needed supplies; assist with maintaining an inventory of consumables and receiving and stocking supplies.
• Ensure balanced loading of instruments to maximize production.
• Actively monitor/search for priority SIDs/batches ensuring timely prep, workup, and release; prioritize work as needed.
• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of all CRL, CRL subsidiaries, legal entities and client information.
• Be able to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local safety and health regulations that would apply to this job.
Other duties as assigned.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: A doctoral, master’s, or bachelor’s degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical, or biological science.
EXPERIENCE:
• High Complexity Testing:
Bachelor’s Degree or higher: training/experience as specified in 42CFR493.1489
Acting Technical Supervisor: Education: Bachelor’s degree in a chemical or biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution or equivalent. Experience: 4 years of pertinent laboratory experience.
• Practical experience in sample extraction techniques, instrument sample prep, and working with complex biological matrices is highly desirable
SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work under time constraints
• Detail oriented
• Good judgment and decision making skills
• Ability to follow instructions precisely
• Good laboratory technique
• Ability to be at work and on time
• Ability and judgment to interact and communicate appropriately with other employees, clients and management
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The following physical attributes are required for this position:
• Sitting for extended lengths of time
• Regularly required to move around laboratory
• Close vision requirements due to computer work
• Repetitive use of hands, fingers, wrists, and elbows for operating a computer and telephone
• Reaching, including above the shoulder
• Bending or stooping
• Squatting or crouching
• Kneeling
• Climbing
• Lifting up to 25 pounds
EQUIPMENT: Must operate and maintain automated testing instrumentation. Automated pipettors, centrifuge; shaker/rotator; heating block; pH meter; analytical balance; various automated instruments; pipette; lab coat; gloves; gas cylinders; PC.
OTHER: Overtime as necessary; weekend work is required; specimens consist of body fluids and must be regarded as potentially infectious; exposure to caustics, flammables, solvents, carcinogens, and reactive compounds.
The employer shall, in its discretion, modify or adjust this position to meet the company’s changing needs.
This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as deemed appropriate in the employer’s sole discretion.
• denotes essential job function
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay Range: $23.00 - $41.00
Benefits for Full Time Employees:
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life/AD&D
- Supplemental Life/AD&D
- Section 125 FSA Plan
- 401(k)
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Paid Time Off
- Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement
Salary : $23 - $41