Lead Flow Cytometry Scientist, Clinical Laboratory

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is seeking a senior laboratory professional to oversee high-complexity testing and quality assurance in our Illinois lab. You will lead a section, train staff, and drive process improvements, ensuring regulatory compliance and patient safety.

The role requires strong leadership, technical expertise in HLA typing, infectious disease testing, and data-driven quality programs, with on-call responsibilities and collaboration with laboratory leadership.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-complexity laboratory testing using established methodologies, including molecular HLA typing, flow-cytometry, genetic analysis, HLA antibody screening (if applicable), ABO typing, and infectious disease testing
• Serve as section lead, providing oversight and guidance for designated laboratory areas
• Serve as the final reviewer to sign off clinical cases
• Document test results and interpret different and complex reaction patterns; identify probable causes for any irregular or atypical test results
• Compile and prepare section quality assurance reports
• Lead on process improvement initiatives and assist laboratory staff with testing procedures, quality controls and SOPs
• Provide instruction and guidance to new employees in testing procedures, quality controls and SOPs
• Perform laboratory employee competency assessment
• Provide laboratory employee support, direction and management, as requested by laboratory management
• Assist with personnel management including one-on-one meetings, performance evaluation, coaching, and disciplinary actions
• Assist with development, validation and implementation of new and/or revised procedures and protocols
• Preserve donor cells and serum samples for potential future testing
• Process blood samples received from patients waiting for a transplant
• Prepare reagents required to perform analysis and ensure reagents are available and usable
• Set up and monitor equipment required to perform tests; maintain preventive maintenance schedules
• Perform minor equipment repairs such as adjustments and calibration of equipment
• Maintain quality control records and logs; prepare, record and store data for future reference
• Monitor supply levels to ensure adequate levels are maintained
• Ensure cleanliness and organization of work area in accordance with safety standards
• Serve as on-call off-hours technical consultant for laboratory employees
• Work with laboratory leadership to develop, plan, implement, monitor and assess the laboratory quality assurance and performance improvement programs
• Identify non-conformances and deficiencies and manage the corrective action process
• Promote the culture of quality assurance and performance improvement throughout the laboratory
• Work with laboratory leadership to ensure compliance with all pertinent regulatory agencies, such as CMS/CLIA, FDA, UNOS, ASHI, and CAP
• Responsible for determining, tracking, trending and reporting of relevant quality metrics, including turnaround times, error rates, customer satisfaction score, etc.
• Assist laboratory leadership with preparation for all internal and external audits and inspections; assist with follow-up as needed, including responses and corrective actions

Job description

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is seeking a senior laboratory professional to oversee high-complexity testing and quality assurance in our Illinois lab. You will lead a section, train staff, and drive process improvements, ensuring regulatory compliance and patient safety.

The role requires strong leadership, technical expertise in HLA typing, infectious disease testing, and data-driven quality programs, with on-call responsibilities and collaboration with laboratory leadership.