Lead Lab Technician (Molecular)

Midwest Express Clinic; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Midwest Express Clinic is seeking a Lead Technician to coordinate daily laboratory operations at the bench, ensuring workflow efficiency and adherence to SOPs.

The role serves as a senior technical resource and may function as a delegated General Supervisor under CLIA; coordinates workflow across accessioning, extraction, amplification and data review, performs and oversees routine testing including PCR, provides real-time troubleshooting, trains staff, and monitors QA/QC and inventory.

Qualifications

• Meets CLIA high-complexity testing personnel requirements.
• 2–4 years of clinical laboratory experience (molecular preferred).
• Experience in PCR workflows and troubleshooting.
• Experience training or mentoring staff preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate workflow across accessioning, extraction, amplification, and data review
• Perform and oversee routine testing, including PCR and analysis
• Provide real-time troubleshooting for instruments and assays
• Monitor QA and QC
• Train staff and support competency assessments
• Ensure proper specimen handoff between accessioning and testing
• Monitor inventory and communicate supply needs
• Ensure adherence to SOPs and documentation requirements

Skills

Attention to detail

Clear communication

Team leadership

Molecular workflows

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science

Job description

Position Summary

• The Lead Technician coordinates daily laboratory operations at the bench, ensuring workflow efficiency, quality performance, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Serves as a senior technical resource and operational leader without primary responsibility for personnel management or program ownership.
• May function as a delegated General Supervisor in accordance with CLIA requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate workflow across accessioning, extraction, amplification, and data review
• Perform and oversee routine testing, including PCR and analysis
• Provide real-time troubleshooting for instruments and assays
• Monitor QA and QC
• Train staff and support competency assessments
• Ensure proper specimen handoff between accessioning and testing
• Monitor inventory and communicate supply needs
• Ensure adherence to SOPs and documentation requirements

Decision-Making Authority

• Prioritize workflow and assign bench responsibilities
• Hold or delay results based on quality concerns
• Initiate troubleshooting and reassign tasks as needed
• Escalate non-routine issues to Lab Supervisor

Qualifications

• Meets CLIA high-complexity testing personnel requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science OR
• equivalent
• 2–4 years of clinical laboratory experience (molecular preferred)
• Experience in PCR workflows and troubleshooting
• Experience training or mentoring staff preferred

Core Competencies

• Technical expertise in molecular workflows
• Workflow coordination and prioritization
• Attention to detail and quality focus
• Clear communication and team leadership skills