Medical Laboratory Scientist - Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Microbiology

Seattle Children's; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 111,207,000 - 166,796,000; Full time

Job summary

The Medical Laboratory Scientist – Clinical & Molecular Microbiology at Seattle Children’s delivers high-complexity diagnostic testing and cross-coverage across laboratory sections.

The role performs culture-based identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics, and Sanger sequencing for complex organisms, while leading daily operations with strict CAP/CLIA compliance to support patient care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, or equivalent education/experience.
• Eligibility for Certification by ASCP, NCA or AMT; must obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Preferred: 3–5 years of progressive experience in Clinical Microbiology with culture-based and molecular methods.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform culture-based organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Conduct molecular diagnostics including PCR and other molecular methods; perform Sanger sequencing for complex organisms.
• Process specimens, verify results, perform quality control, and maintain instruments.
• Troubleshoot workflow and ensure CAP/CLIA and regulatory compliance to support patient care.

Skills

Clinical Microbiology

Molecular Diagnostics

PCR

Sanger Sequencing

Culture-based Diagnostics

Education

Bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science or medical technology

Job description

The Medical Laboratory Scientist – Clinical & Molecular Microbiology role delivers high-complexity diagnostic testing and seamless cross-coverage across both laboratory sections. Designed for an experienced scientist, this position independently performs culture-based organism identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics, and Sanger sequencing for complex bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Beyond routine testing, the role drives daily operations—including specimen processing, result verification, quality control, instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting—while ensuring strict compliance with CAP, CLIA, and regulatory standards to support continuous, high-quality patient care.

Required Education And Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Credentials

Eligibility for Certification by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education or a National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies (NCHCA). Common credentials are granted by ASCP, NCA or AMT. State Certifications are also acceptable. Must obtain certification within six months of hire. As per the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), for Clinical Lab Scientist performing moderate or high-complexity point-of-care testing, a copy of a diploma or transcript of the highest level of academic achievement must be on record with Human Resources upon hire. For personnel trained outside of the U.S., records of diploma/transcript must provide documented equivalency evaluation by a nationally recognized credentialing agency.

Preferred

3–5 years of progressive experience in Clinical Microbiology, with extensive hands‑on expertise in both classical microbiology, including culture‑based diagnostics, organism identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and molecular microbiology, including PCR and other molecular diagnostic methods.

Compensation Range

$38.81 - $58.21 per hour

Salary Information

This compensation range was calculated based on full‑time employment (2080 hours worked per calendar year). Offers are determined by multiple factors including equity, skills, experience, and expertise, and may vary within the range provided.

Disclaimer for Out of State Applicants

This compensation range is specific to Seattle, positions located outside of Seattle may be compensated differently depending on various factors

Benefits Information

Seattle Children’s offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 403(b), life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more. Additional details on our benefits can be found on our website www.seattlechildrens.org/careers/benefits.

About Us

Hope. Care. Cure. These three simple words capture what we do at Seattle Children’s – to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Are you ready to engage with a mission‑driven organization that is life‑changing to many, and touches the hearts of all? #HOPECARECURE

Our founding promise to the community is as valid today as it was over a century ago: we will care for all children in our region, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. Together, we deliver superior patient care, advance new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and serve as the pediatric and adolescent, academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho – the largest region of any children’s hospital in the country.

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Seattle Children’s among the nation’s best children’s hospitals. For more than a decade, Seattle Children’s has been nationally recognized in key specialty areas. We are honored to be one of the nation’s very best places to care for children and the top‑ranked pediatric hospital in Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

As a Magnet designated institution, we recognize the importance of hiring and developing great talent to provide best‑in‑class care to the patients and families we serve. Our organizational DNA takes form in our core values: Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Collaboration, Equity and Innovation. Whether it’s delivering frontline care to our patients in a kind and caring manner, practicing the highest standards of quality and safety, or being relentlessly curious as we work towards eradicating childhood diseases, these values are the fabric of our culture and community. The future starts here.

Our Commitment

Seattle Children’s welcomes people of all experiences, backgrounds, and thoughts as this is what drives our spirit of inquiry and allows us to better connect with our patients and families. Our organization recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes based on merit without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The people who work at Seattle Children’s are members of a community that seeks to respect and celebrate all the qualities that make each of us unique. Each of us is empowered to be ourselves.

Seattle Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace and Affitative Action Employer.