What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory Support Technician position at UPMC - Pittsburgh Medical Center?
Join a highly specialized and impactful team at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC! We are seeking a full-time Lab Support Technician to support the UPMC Cytogenetic Laboratory (UCL), a leading facility dedicated to advancing diagnostic medicine. In this role, you’ll contribute to meaningful work that helps provide patients with critical answers through advanced genetic testing.
This position follows a rotating Tuesday–Saturday schedule from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The UCL utilizes a combination of traditional cytogenetic methods and sophisticated molecular techniques—including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH)—to perform chromosome analysis on a wide range of specimens.
Responsibilities:
- Performs routine and basic instrument maintenance according to established protocols. Records temperatures if required.
- Assists with restocking supplies to maintain an optimal inventory. Maintains clean and orderly storage spaces for room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen supplies.
- Prepares and replenishes instrument reagents and consumables as needed.
- Performs QA / QC procedures as assigned.
- Assists with specimen/slide storage and retrieval.
- Checks pending work lists. Investigates and resolves any unprocessed work.
- Decontaminates work area, keeping a neat and clean working environment.
- Keeps any glassware clean and dry, including tests for residue removal as needed.
- Tests and cleans emergency eyewashes and showers as assigned.
- Sorts laboratory waste as needed and ensures that proper disposal occurs.
- Transports specimens off-site and delivers supplies where required.
- Prepares specimens at workstations for testing. Includes building worklists, checking specimens for acceptability (clots, QNS), aliquoting specimens, loading/unloading specimens onto instruments.
- Prepares microscopic slides and plants specimens in microbiologic growth media where required.
- High School diploma or equivalent, and at least 2 years experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) required in a clinical lab, OR
- Associate degree (with biology and chemistry courses) and at least 1 year of experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) in a clinical lab, OR
- Phlebotomy or Medical Assistant certification and 1 year of experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) in a clinical lab, OR
- Successful completion of a 50 week U.S. military medical laboratory training course, OR
- B.S. degree from an accredited institution with a major in a biological or clinical laboratory science OR
- Currently enrolled in a MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) or equivalent training program, with 3 years college credits required.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Medical Laboratory Assistant MLA (ASCP) or equivalent certification preferred.
- Valid driver's license if one is departmentally required
- Act 34
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran