Laboratory Technician

Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support daily operations in a health clinic setting, performing high-complexity PCR testing, specimen handling, and QC under CLIA guidelines.

The role emphasizes accurate documentation, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with clinical staff to ensure timely, reliable test results across the service area.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of pipetting techniques, aseptic handling, and contamination control.
• Ability to follow written procedures and regulatory guidelines accurately.
• Experience in a high-complexity CLIA-certified laboratory.
• Familiarity with LIMS, data entry, and troubleshooting PCR instrumentation.
• Experience with molecular diagnostics, PCR testing, or microbiology.

Responsibilities

• Performs high-complexity PCR testing in accordance with laboratory protocols.
• Prepares and processes patient samples following biosafety and contamination control procedures.
• Maintains records of patient results and reports test analyses.
• Operates and maintains laboratory equipment, including PCR analyzers and automated extraction systems.
• Participates in quality control and quality assurance procedures to ensure accurate test results.
• Documents data using LIMS and follows SOPs; supports corrective actions when performance deviates.
• Travels to assigned sites as needed for meetings or trainings.

Skills

Pipetting techniques

Aseptic handling

Contamination control

Regulatory guidelines

Education

Associate's degree in laboratory science

60 semester hours biology/chemistry + 3 months training

Tools

LIMS

PCR instrumentation

Job description

Position Summary: The Laboratory Technician supports daily laboratory operations within a health clinic setting. This position is responsible for specimen handling, molecular testing, quality control, and regulatory compliance in accordance with CLIA (42 CFR Part 493) standards and established laboratory protocols.

Union Status: Union Eligible

Cultural Awareness

• Treating all individuals with respect, empathy, and dignity
• Protecting confidentiality and sensitive information
• Valuing diverse cultures, identities, and lived experiences
• Seeking to understand the communities we serve and delivering inclusive, culturally responsive services
• Supporting equitable access to the highest attainable standard of health for all, regardless of background or identity

Duties and Responsibilities

PCR Testing and Sample Processing

• Performs high-complexity PCR testing in accordance with laboratory protocols.
• Prepares and processes patient samples following biosafety and contamination control procedures.
• Follows laboratory procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting, and maintaining records of patient results.
• Prepares reagents, calibrators, and controls as outlined in laboratory SOPs.

Equipment and Inventory Management

• Operates and maintains laboratory equipment, including PCR analyzers and automated extraction systems.
• Maintains proper reagent inventory by participating in inventory tracking and ordering. Receives new inventory, logs, and places in appropriate storage locations.
• Tracks lot numbers on all reagents, calibrators, and controls and dates placed into service.

Quality Control and Assurance

• Conducts quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) procedures to ensure accurate test results.
• Participates in the laboratory's quality assurance program by calibrating instruments and equipment, analyzing QC samples, recording results, and resolving QC exceptions.
• Maintains records demonstrating that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
• Participates in proficiency testing and competency assessments as required.

Compliance and Documentation

• Records and analyzes data using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Follows standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assists in their review and updates.
• Maintains a clean and organized work environment in compliance with OSHA and CLIA safety standards.
• Follows laboratory policies, including documenting and taking corrective actions whenever test systems fall outside established performance levels.
• Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or result reporting and corrects the issue or notifies the appropriate supervisor.
• Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
• If required by route of qualification, performs high-complexity testing under the on-site direct supervision of the Lead Laboratory Technician.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications

• Strong understanding of pipetting techniques, aseptic handling, and contamination control.
• Ability to follow written procedures and regulatory guidelines accurately.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a high-complexity CLIA-certified laboratory.
• Familiarity with LIMS, data entry, and troubleshooting PCR instrumentation.
• Experience with molecular diagnostics, PCR testing, or microbiology.

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree in laboratory science, medical laboratory technology, or a related field; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Or, 60 semester hours of coursework in biology and chemistry plus at least three months of documented laboratory training in high-complexity testing.

Work Schedule and Availability

Work schedules vary site assignment and patient needs. Hours may include evenings and Saturdays.

Travel Requirements

Travel may be required for meetings, trainings, events or other operational needs. The ability to travel to assigned work locations is required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirement

Work is primarily performed in a health center or clinical office environment with regular interaction with patients, staff, and the public. Regular and timely attendance at in-person and/or virtual meetings, trainings, and events is required. Occasional travel between assigned sites within the service area is required. The role requires prolonged periods of standing, walking, and computer use and may involve frequent interruptions and time-sensitive demands. Work involves exposure to confidential or sensitive information. Adherence to patient privacy and safety standards is required. Schedules will include evenings and Saturdays based on health center hours, patient needs, and operational requirements.

Planned Parenthood is an equal opportunity employer and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks to be performed when circumstances change.