(CLS) Clinical Lab Scientist - Clinical Lab - 141461

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist to join the Blood Bank/Transfusion Service. The position involves a wide range of transfusion-related testing, blood component handling, quality control, and instrument maintenance.

The incumbent will prioritize workload and support complex transfusion scenarios and staff training. The role requires licensure as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in California, with 2+ years of clinical lab experience.

Qualifications

• Graduation from college with a major in a relevant field.
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license issued by the California Department of Public Health.
• Two or more years of clinical laboratory experience, required for the CLS Specialist level.
• Knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of duties.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-transfusion testing and compatibility testing.
• Identify antibodies and perform direct antiglobulin testing.
• Select and issue blood components, manage inventory, and maintain quality control.
• Maintain and troubleshoot instruments; process specimens and prepare reagents.
• Participate in method validations, implementation of new procedures, quality improvement activities, and training of staff and students.
• Prioritize workload and support routine, urgent, massive transfusion, transplant, neonatal, and other specialized transfusion services.
• Weekends, holidays, evenings, nights and other shifts as required.

Education

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license issued by the California Department of Public Health

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Job description

Payroll Title: CLIN LAB SCI

Department: LA JOLLA CLINICAL LAB

Hiring Pay Scale: $52.72 - $69.64 / Hour

Worksite: La Jolla

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 50%

Union: HX Contract

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Nights, 8-Hour Shifts, Sunday-Saturday

#141461 (CLS) Clinical Lab Scientist - Clinical Lab

Filing Deadline: Wed 9/30/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 09/21/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

This position has been changed from varying shifts to Night shifts as of 09/17/2026.

DESCRIPTION

Under the supervision of a Senior Supervisor, a Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs a wide variety of technical procedures in the Blood Bank/Transfusion Service. Responsibilities include performing pre-transfusion testing, compatibility testing, antibody identification, direct antiglobulin testing, blood component selection and issuance, inventory management, quality control, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, specimen processing, reagent preparation, manufacturing of blood products, and documentation in accordance with regulatory and accreditation standards. May participate in method validations, implementation of new procedures, quality improvement activities, and training of staff and students.

Independently prioritize workload and assess departmental needs, assisting coworkers as needed to ensure timely and safe patient care. Participate in the support of routine, urgent, massive transfusion, transplant, neonatal, and other specialized transfusion services. Work is assigned daily and reviewed by supervisory personnel or their designee.

Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform waived and non-waived testing, interpret and report laboratory results within the scope of their licensure, training, and demonstrated competency, while adhering to established policies, procedures, and quality standards. Must be available to work weekends, holidays, evenings, nights, and other shifts as operationally required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from college with a major in a relevant field.

• Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or appropriate sub-specialty license issued by the State of California, Department of Public Health.

• Previous clinical lab experience. Two (2) or more years of clinical laboratory experience required for the CLS Specialist level.

• Knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of duties assigned to the position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's degree.

• SBB (Specialist in Blood Banking, ASCP) certification.

• Experience with blood bank information systems (e.g. SoftBank).

• Experience with Ortho Vision analyzer.

• Experience with product modification workflows.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and a pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $110,079 - $145,408 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $52.72 - $69.64

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands‑on practice and in‑person skills assessment; online‑only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading‑edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute‑designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace