The Senior Clinical Laboratory Associate (CLA) is responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Clinical Laboratory and assisting the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) during patient testing. In addition to the primary role of Senior CLA there will be a need to provide back-up support to the other groups (Reporting, Biospecimen Management, QC, etc.) The Senior CLA will serve as a lead to the CLA team to coordinate tasks, divide workload, manage projects and review documents as assigned. The Senior CLA demonstrates the skills and competency to assist the CLS in automated sample processing and in all other support functions. The nature of the work requires excellent attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, the ability to multitask and be flexible with tasks and schedules, and the ability to work independently in a team environment.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:In accordance with California Business and Professions Code BPC § 1269, the following activities may be performed under the supervision of the laboratory director or appropriately licensed personnel:Sample collection or receipt, sample preparation, labeling, handling, preservation or fixation, assay processing or preparation, and/or transportation and storage of specimens; Assist the CLSs in a licensed clinical laboratory in performing sample processing;Assist the CLSs during automated methods of patient testing;Perform routine equipment maintenance according to the laboratory’s standard operating procedures; Create sample batches, print labels and label tubes and plates;Assist licensed testing personnel in troubleshooting activities; Prepare and store  reagents for sample processing and sample archiving;Order and stock laboratory supplies;Print and file of laboratory records; In the case of qualitative and semi-quantitative tests, the unlicensed personnel may add the test reagent to the specimen or vice versa, but the results must be read by the laboratory director or appropriately licensed personnel. Check, monitor and resolve routine cold storage temperature and laboratory temperature and initiate a service request as necessary; Perform general laboratory tasks include cleaning of racks, laboratory equipment and benches;Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications; Perform internal audits and inspection preparation;Address audit findings;Organize the maintain schedule of the laboratory and equipment;Ensure calibration of laboratory equipment is scheduled and performed on time;Write and revise standard operating procedures under supervisor instruction, as needed;Identify process improvement opportunities and report to laboratory management; Lead the training of new and existing CLAs on current and new procedures;Provide guidance for CLAs, give constructive feedback and provide peer review feedback for evaluations.Participate in projects under the supervision of a CLS or Supervisor along with maintaining quality and efficient work flow of daily duties;Help manage the training of new laboratory personnel and of new procedures with existing procedures under the guidance of a CLS or Supervisor; andPerform other duties as assigned; andReport all concerns of test quality and/or safety to the Laboratory Supervisor, Laboratory Director or Safety Officer.
