Clinical Lab Scientist Trainee Jobs in Riverside, CA

Job Title: Clinical Lab Scientist

Job Description

This role provides hands-on clinical laboratory support in a small, growing molecular diagnostic environment. The Clinical Lab Scientist performs manual and automated testing, ensures accurate and timely result reporting through the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and maintains rigorous quality and documentation standards. The position offers the opportunity to work in a satellite laboratory with a high level of autonomy, while receiving structured training and support from an experienced laboratory team.

Responsibilities

• Perform all manual technical procedures related to specimen preparation, specimen types, and established laboratory protocols and procedures.
• Operate assigned automated laboratory instruments, including performing routine troubleshooting, maintenance, and minor repair procedures as required.
• Consistently and accurately transcribe patient test results from raw instrument data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Document all testing activities in real time, including patient specimens, proficiency testing, quality control results, preventive maintenance and calibration of instruments, and LIS/LIMS result entries.
• Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or the reporting of test results and promptly notify Laboratory Operations Management or the Laboratory Director for assistance.
• Document corrective actions when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications.
• Inspect, label, and store incoming materials received from the Quality Control department according to laboratory procedures.
• Contact suppliers regarding the performance of laboratory reagents and equipment for troubleshooting purposes when assigned.
• Maintain complete, accurate departmental records, including logs, files, and worksheets, ensuring they are updated and documented in real time.
• Recognize laboratory results that require immediate attention, such as inconsistent patient values, and communicate these effectively and promptly to the appropriate parties.
• Train and cross-train licensed Clinical Lab Scientists and non-CLS employees on laboratory procedures and workflows.
• Administer and perform competency assessment testing, including biennial assessments for employees and assessments for new employees with less than one year of service, as scheduled.
• Complete assigned tasks and documentation in MasterControl within required timeframes.
• Adapt to varying daily workloads, handling multiple tests and tasks rather than focusing on a single assay per day.
• Contribute to a small, self-driven laboratory environment by taking initiative, managing priorities, and supporting continuous improvement in processes and quality.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of United States diagnostic laboratory experience within the past 2 years.
• Active Generalist-level Clinical Lab Scientist license, meeting State of California requirements.
• Hands-on experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)..
• Working knowledge of CLIA-regulated laboratory operations and compliance expectations.
• Ability to perform and interpret manual and automated laboratory tests with high accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated capability to troubleshoot laboratory instruments, reagents, and processes, and to document corrective actions.
• Ability to identify and escalate issues that may impact test performance or result reporting.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain real-time documentation of logs, files, worksheets, and quality records.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and tests in a fast-paced environment, rather than focusing on a single test per day.
• Sound judgment and practical problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply common sense in day-to-day lab operations.
• Comfort working in a small, self-driven lab setting with limited onsite staff.
• Flexibility to adapt to small company culture, evolving processes, and changing workflow needs.
• Bachelor of Science, Master’s, or Ph.D. from an accredited institution with a major in chemical, physical, or biological sciences.
• Current State of California Clinical Lab Scientist license.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• ASCP certification is preferred.
• Experience as a molecular or generalist Clinical Lab Scientist (CGMBS, MB, or similar) is beneficial.
• Prior experience in a smaller or specialty laboratory environment is advantageous and may indicate a strong fit.
• Familiarity with MasterControl or similar quality and document management systems is helpful.
• Exposure to clinical molecular diagnostics and global diagnostic testing workflows is a plus.
• Willingness to learn and openness to training, including for candidates without prior industry experience.
• Strong communication skills to effectively convey critical results and collaborate with supervisors, colleagues, and suppliers.
• Ability to train and mentor other laboratory staff, including non-CLS employees.
• Commitment to quality, accuracy, and compliance in all laboratory activities.

Work Environment

The position is based in a satellite clinical laboratory located in Anaheim, operating within a small, close-knit team. Onsite staff will primarily include this Clinical Lab Scientist and a laboratory technician, providing a high level of autonomy and responsibility. The laboratory is in the process of completing its initial CLIA inspection for the Anaheim site, offering the opportunity to contribute during an important growth phase. Training will take place with a laboratory supervisor in Los Angeles, with an anticipated training period of up to two months. Training is scheduled Monday through Friday in the late morning to early afternoon. Once training is complete, the regular Anaheim schedule is expected to be Monday through Friday, approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility required to align with sample flow and testing timelines. The lab processes an estimated 20–40 samples per day and may run approximately 50 different tests daily, with relatively stable sample volumes. The environment uses automated laboratory instrumentation, LIMS/LIS systems, and quality systems such as MasterControl. The culture reflects a small company setting, where flexibility, initiative, and self-direction are highly valued, and where employees have the opportunity to work closely with a global molecular diagnostic team and access programs such as Care Roadmap, Abenity, and Go Program.

This is a Permanent position based out of Irvine, CA.

The pay range for this position is $104000.00 - $124000.00/yr.

Additional incentives: - Medical Benefits – they are re-evaluating and they contribute $250/month towards medical benefits

This is a fully onsite position in Irvine,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 3, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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