CLS Generalist (Microbiology)

Job Title:

Clinical Laboratory Scientist Job Description This Clinical Laboratory Scientist role oversees the operation of an assigned laboratory section under the direction of laboratory leadership. The position performs and reviews a wide range of laboratory tests, supports procedure development and equipment validation, maintains rigorous quality control standards, and provides technical leadership and guidance to staff. The role requires strong technical expertise in clinical laboratory science, a commitment to regulatory compliance, and the ability to ensure timely, accurate, and safe laboratory services in an acute care hospital setting. Responsibilities Oversee the daily operation of the assigned laboratory section to ensure efficient workflow and satisfactory testing turnaround times. Perform all laboratory testing in accordance with established standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements from pre-analytical through post-analytical phases. Safeguard and preserve the confidentiality of patients' protected health information in accordance with State and Federal (HIPAA) regulations and hospital policies. Ensure a safe patient environment and adherence to safety practices and infection control policies. Assist in developing, organizing, and maintaining procedures and policies for the assigned section to ensure compliance with applicable licensing and accrediting agencies. Oversee quality control activities and assist in the quality assurance program related to the assigned section. Evaluate new equipment and methodologies, coordinate validation studies, and collaborate with laboratory management, pathologists, and other departments on implementation. Train staff on new and existing procedures, assess competency, and provide technical leadership and guidance within the assigned section. Monitor and perform instrument calibration, linearity, correlation, and other verification studies as required by accrediting agencies, initiating corrective actions when necessary. Maintain and document scheduled preventive maintenance for laboratory equipment and initiate appropriate corrective actions when issues arise. Oversee and coordinate staff participation in proficiency testing, review results, investigate unacceptable findings, and implement follow-up actions. Maintain sufficient inventory levels to support daily operations while monitoring and contributing to cost containment efforts. Utilize computer systems to accurately order, accession, result, charge, cancel, and credit laboratory tests, and generate and resolve incomplete test logs to ensure all tests are completed. Perform testing and report results within established turnaround times, ensuring accuracy and reliability of all laboratory data. Communicate critical values promptly to physicians or licensed personnel with appropriate documentation according to policy. Serve as a resource for technical staff, providing guidance on complex cases, procedures, and problem-solving. Comply with standards, laws, and regulations of CLIA, DHS, CAP, Joint Commission, and other applicable agencies, as well as hospital and departmental policies. Demonstrate positive customer service behavior and effective communication in interactions with patients, physicians, visitors, and hospital staff, supporting a collaborative team environment. Maintain the confidentiality of all laboratory and hospital patient-related information. Demonstrate knowledge and application of safety, hazardous materials handling, hazardous waste management, and infection control procedures. Participate in continuing education as required by the State of California for licensure and in hospital and departmental education and training programs. Perform work assignments that may require accurate visual color discrimination. Collaborate and share knowledge and experiences with other laboratories, including occasional visits or joint initiatives. Ensure proper specimen storage, labeling, and documentation in accordance with quality assurance and control standards. Apply the approved process to address biophysical, psychological, educational, and environmental needs of patients and significant others when providing laboratory-related services. Perform all other related duties as assigned to support the overall mission and goals of the laboratory. Essential Skills Active California Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license or National Medical Technologist license (MT, ASCP) or MTE-Microbiology. Minimum of eighteen (18+) months of previous Clinical Laboratory Scientist experience in an acute care hospital. Strong technical skills in clinical laboratory science, including hospital clinical laboratory operations. Working knowledge of quality control rules and quality assurance practices. Knowledge of regulatory standards including CLIA, DHS, CAP, and Joint Commission. Ability to perform and interpret a broad range of blood bank and transfusion-related procedures such as ABO/Rh typing, antibody screening and identification, AHG crossmatch, antigen typing, tube method antibody typing, immediate spin and IgG crossmatch, electronic crossmatch, direct Coombs (DAT), indirect Coombs test, Rhogam screening, cord blood evaluation, blood irradiation, cold agglutinins testing, thawing and cooling of blood products, and transfusion reaction workups. Proficiency in patient identification processes and transmission-based precautions. Knowledge of hazardous materials handling, MSDS, proper disposal procedures, and specimen storage requirements. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to set priorities and complete assignments within prescribed timeframes. Effective problem-solving abilities to evaluate test validity and initiate corrective actions as needed. Ability to use computer systems for laboratory information management, including word processing and spreadsheet applications. Clear writing and technical writing skills for documentation, procedures, and reports. Ability to communicate critical results and technical information clearly and professionally to clinical staff. Capability to perform work requiring visual color discrimination. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience in microbiology and microbiology laboratory techniques. Familiarity with acute care hospital workflows and multidisciplinary collaboration. Experience with validation of new equipment, methods, and laboratory processes. Knowledge of reporting test results in compliance with regulatory and institutional standards. Understanding of quality assurance and control programs, including proficiency testing processes. Experience in laboratory section oversight or management responsibilities. Ability to provide training, mentorship, and competency assessment for laboratory staff. Comfort with hazardous materials and infection control practices in a clinical laboratory setting. Strong interpersonal skills and a positive, team-oriented approach to working with colleagues across departments. Commitment to ongoing professional development and participation in continuing education. Awareness of employee and organizational development resources such as structured roadmaps and benefit programs. Work Environment This position is based in a hospital clinical laboratory environment, supporting an acute care setting. The role involves working with a variety of laboratory instruments, blood bank and microbiology technologies, computer-based laboratory information systems, and standard safety and infection control equipment. The schedule is generally Monday through Friday on an AM shift with rotating weekends and holidays. Start times may vary, typically falling between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with flexibility required to meet operational needs. The environment requires adherence to safety protocols for hazardous materials, proper specimen storage and disposal, and transmission-based precautions. Staff work in a professional setting focused on accuracy, regulatory compliance, and patient safety, with access to continuing education and structured development resources. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Whittier, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $63.00 - $85.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Whittier,CA.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jul 17, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.