Laboratory Support Technician

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC is seeking a full-time Lab Support Technician to support the Cytogenetic Laboratory (UCL). This role contributes to advanced genetic testing and patient diagnostics, with a rotating Tue–Sat schedule 8:30 a.m.

to 5:00 p.m., supporting FISH and aCGH workflows. Responsibilities include instrument maintenance, supply restocking, QA/QC, specimen handling, and laboratory waste management.

Qualifications

• Requires either High School diploma with 2 years Specimen Processor lab experience, or an Associate degree with 1 year experience, or equivalent.
• Phlebotomy or MA cert plus 1 year lab experience.
• 50-week U.S. military medical lab training (if applicable).
• BS in biology/clinical lab science or MLS program enrollment qualifies.
• MLS or equivalent training with 3 years college credits may be required for MLS track.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine instrument maintenance and record temperatures as required.
• Restock supplies and maintain clean, organized storage for room temp, refrigerated, and frozen items.
• Prepare and replenish reagents and consumables for testing.
• Conduct QA/QC procedures as assigned.
• Assist with specimen/slide storage and retrieval.
• Check pending work lists and resolve unprocessed work.
• Decontaminate work areas and maintain a clean environment.
• Handle glassware and ensure residue removal as needed.
• Test emergency eyewashes and showers for readiness.
• Sort laboratory waste and ensure proper disposal.
• Transport specimens off-site and deliver supplies as required.
• Prepare specimens at workstations, build worklists, verify specimen acceptability, aliquot specimens, load/unload onto instruments.
• Prepare slides and culture specimens in growth media when needed.

Education

High School diploma

Associate degree (biology/chemistry)

Phlebotomy or Medical Assistant cert

BS in biological/clinical lab science

MLS training program enrollment

Job description

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