Lab Technician

Actalent; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a contract Laboratory Technician in Palo Alto, CA to prepare clinical specimens for testing, accession samples, and operate automated instruments.

Responsibilities include QC, data entry, instrument maintenance, and training back-up staff; working on-site with strict adherence to protocols and high accuracy.

This temporary role offers onsite work with comprehensive benefits eligibility and a structured workflow within a global engineering and sciences services firm.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with sample handling, quantitative chemical analysis, assays or similar procedures.
• Proficient with moderately advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Experience operating laboratory instruments such as automated measurement devices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare clinical samples and products for testing, including accessioning and processing.
• Set up and maintain instruments for automated tasks; perform reagent replenishment and cleaning.
• Prepare reagents and change equipment supplies as needed.
• Document quality control measurements and environmental readings.
• Train back-up staff and coordinate workflow improvements with supervision.

Skills

hematology

Chemical Analysis

Accessioning

Excel

Education

2+ years college education

4 years college education

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

• Update computer databases for sample storage.

Description

JOB PURPOSE:

Prepare clinical specimens for laboratory testing. Receive, accession, aliquot and otherwise process specimens. Setup, maintain, troubleshoot, and assist in validation of instruments. Take quality control measurements, including environmental, equipment/software and product quality controls.

Duties Will Include

• Prepare clinical samples and products for testing, including accessioning and processing, following laboratory protocols.
• Set up instruments (programming instructions, specimen and reagent placement, and labware) for automated laboratory tasks. Maintain instruments, including reagent replenishment, cleaning, and other required actions.
• Prepare reagents for the lab, as requested. Change equipment supplies when needed.
• Document and transcribe quality control measures, including environmental readings for lab, equipment function checks, and isolation quality control.
• Train back-up staff as necessary. Recommend necessary changes for better work flow and coordinates implementation with supervisor.
• Perform additional tasks assigned by Supervisor or Laboratory Director.
• Respond to emergency staffing situations as requested.
• May be assigned to assist or substitute for other lab members.
• Other tasks may include (but not be limited to) ordering, receiving and stocking supplies, and laboratory maintenance.
• Maintain sample inventories, including receipt, processing, storage and disposal of samples when necessary.
• Update computer databases for sample storage.
• Fix errors in data entry.

Skills

hematololgy, Chemical Analysis, Accessioning

Top Skills Details

hematololgy,Chemical Analysis,Accessioning

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Minimum of 2 years college education or 4 years of college education

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Required experience must include hands-on experience with sample handling, quantitative chemical analysis, assays, or procedures with equivalent complexity, in addition to basic procedures such as weight and volume measurements of chemicals, reagent preparation, pipetting and centrifugation.
• Knowledge of computer use including moderately advanced Microsoft Excel (beyond simple data entry).
• Experience with operating laboratory instruments such as automated measurement instruments.
• Critical thinking and ability to implement corrective actions when needed.
• Must be able to understand and apply laboratory policies and procedures; must adhere strictly to established protocols.
• Must be highly attentive to detail and be able to handle large number of samples accurately.
• Will be required to use computer, photocopier, fax and other office equipment.
• Must communicate effectively in spoken and written English with individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Experience Level

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Palo Alto, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Palo Alto, CA.

Application Deadline: This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 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 [e-mail] 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.