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Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Clinical Laboratory Scientist Location: Arcata, California Pay Rate: $ 1700 To $ 1900/ Week Contract: 13 Weeks Schedule: Night Shift | Wednesday-Tuesday Rotation Experience: Minimum 3 years required ...

Clinical Laboratory Scientist Location: Arcata, California Pay Rate: $ 1700 To $ 1900/ Week Contract: 13 Weeks Schedule: Night Shift | Wednesday-Tuesday Rotation Experience: Minimum 3 years required ...

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Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist information

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$42.5K

$94.4K

$153K

How much do temporary clinical laboratory scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary clinical laboratory scientist in the United States is $94,420.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary clinical laboratory scientist?

Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientists are professionals who work in clinical laboratories on a short-term or contract basis. They are responsible for conducting laboratory tests on patient samples to help diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. These scientists may fill in for permanent staff during peak workloads, staff shortages, or special projects. Like their permanent counterparts, they must adhere to strict safety and quality standards and often hold the same certifications and educational backgrounds. Their temporary status allows healthcare facilities to maintain essential lab operations without long-term hiring commitments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary clinical laboratory scientist?

To thrive as a Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist, you need a solid background in laboratory science, a bachelor's degree in a related field, and current Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) licensure or certification. Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS), automated analyzers, and standard diagnostic testing equipment is typically required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective communication are vital soft skills that help ensure accuracy and collaboration. These competencies are essential to deliver reliable test results, maintain patient safety, and adapt quickly to varying clinical environments.

What are some unique challenges temporary clinical laboratory scientists may face compared to permanent staff?

Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientists often need to quickly adapt to new laboratory environments, workflows, and teams, which can be challenging when learning new procedures or using unfamiliar equipment. They may also need to be flexible with shift schedules or work at multiple sites. While temporary roles provide valuable experience and exposure to different specialties, building rapport with permanent staff and integrating into established teams can require extra effort. However, these challenges can also foster rapid professional growth and open doors to permanent opportunities.

What is the difference between Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist vs Clinical Laboratory Technician?

AspectTemporary Clinical Laboratory ScientistClinical Laboratory Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related field, certification (ASCP or equivalent)Associate's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science or related field, certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentHospitals, diagnostic labs, research facilities, often temporary or contract rolesHospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs, typically full-time or part-time roles
Job ResponsibilitiesPerform complex lab tests, analyze results, ensure quality controlPrepare samples, perform routine tests, maintain lab equipment

Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientists and Clinical Laboratory Technicians both work in laboratory settings, but the Scientist role involves more advanced testing and analysis, often requiring certification and a bachelor's degree. Technicians typically handle routine tasks with an associate's degree. The temporary status of the Scientist role offers flexibility, while Technician roles are more permanent. Both are essential in healthcare diagnostics.

More about Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs

What cities are hiring for Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs?

Cities with the most Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs?

The most popular types of Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs are:

What states have the most Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 10% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,420 per year, or $45.4 per hour.

Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Kaiser Permanente

North Hollywood, CA โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Temporary Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Performs pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phase testing of all complexities as defined by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act/Amendment (CLIA) to include specialized tests and analysis in one or more areas of clinical laboratory such as Hematology, Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, Urinalysis, Immunohematology, Serology, Parasitology and chemical and morphological examinations to obtain data for use in diagnosis and recording laboratory test results. Analysis of test results are performed on the population serviced (e.g., neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric clients).

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Upholds Kaiser Permanente's Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
  • Provides the highest level of patient care as defined by established standards and maintains confidentiality on all tests performed by the laboratory.
  • Performs and reports test results for all clinical laboratory procedures as assigned, both automated and manual, in the clinical laboratory department, without immediate review by the director, consultant, or supervisory team.
  • Demonstrates proficiency, competency and understanding of fundamental principles of clinical laboratory procedures with minimal amount of supervision.
  • Monitors and is accountable for test data, quality control, quality assurance, preventive maintenance, proficiency testing and all operations related to laboratory testing procedures.
  • Notifies Supervisory team of any irregularities of factors, which may influence test results.
  • Ability to troubleshoot equipment and test methods.
  • Identifies and resolves unusual laboratory situations and notifies appropriate parties within shift.
  • Consults with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc. on the technical aspects of methodologies used, appropriateness of test utilization and interpretation of patient results.
  • Instructs new employees and/or Clinical Laboratory Scientist students in laboratory procedures within area the CLS assigned, in order that they may develop proficiency and understanding of the clinical laboratory methodology.
  • Provides training, guidance and pertinent technical information to Laboratory Assistants, support staff, clerks, CLS students and Medical Center personnel.
  • Discusses clinical laboratory problems of mutual interest with the Supervisory team, and lead technologist in order to develop a better communication link within the department.
  • Participates in work groups to work through problems, issues or goals of the department.
  • Assists in evaluating new tests procedures when requested and communicates to the Supervisory team the possibilities for their implementation.
  • Meets states requirements for mandatory CEUs.
  • As defined by established standards, works in a professional, cooperative and courteous manner.
  • Observes all laboratory, Kaiser Permanente and regulatory agency policies and procedures.
  • Maintains overall safety (including chemical and biological) of the department in accordance with established safety, infection control and procedure protocols.
  • Monitors supplies and reagents and notifies appropriate parties of par levels.
  • As necessary and appropriate, may perform any clerical or other duties of support staff/laboratory assistants that may be assigned such as performing phlebotomy on inpatients and outpatients.
  • Accepts responsibility of assisting in work areas not primarily his/her own.
  • Operates computerized laboratory data systems/applications.
  • Participates in direct patient care by providing the patient with information to enhance the understanding of laboratory test, instructing the patient on specimen requirements and conditions for specialized testing and collecting from the patient samples to include blood, body fluids, secretions, and tissues for analysis.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Experience: N/A.
  • Education: High School Education or General Education Development (GED) required.
  • License, Certification, Registration: Clinical Laboratory Scientist License (California)

Additional Requirements:

  • A Clinical Laboratory Scientist with a limited license will only qualify for a CLS position within their specialty and only applicable in the following departments at the Regional Reference Laboratories: Chemistry limited license qualifies for Automated Chemistry or Esoteric Chemistry CLS positions; Toxicology limited license qualifies for Esoteric Chemistry CLS positions; Immunology limited license qualifies for Molecular or Immunology CLS positions; Microbiology limited license qualifies for Bacteriology, Molecular or Immunology CLS positions; Hematology limited license qualifies for Hematology and Special Coagulation. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of and to utilize the principles, theories, practices, methodologies and techniques required of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
  • NOTE: ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REGIONAL REFERENCE LABS (RRL):
  • Function competently as a Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist in a high volume Laboratory demonstrating knowledge of principles, theories, practices, techniques. Must have Good communication skills and able to solve problems. And, as appropriate for the department/specialty, within the last three (3) years, at least six (6) months experience:
  • Note: CLS students one (1) year internship can be considered meeting the experience requirement below.
  • Experience in automated instrumentation; knowledge testing principles; molecular based procedures; QC protocols; knowledge in autoverification, EIA, chemiluminence and IFA platforms;knowledge of method validations, and hematology validation, QC and calibration, manual diff count. (CORE LAB, inlcudes AUTO CHEM, IMMUNOLOGY, HEMATOLOGY).
  • Experience and knowledge in using high complex methods employing electrophoresis,chromatography, and mass spectrometry, and Special Coagulation (SPECIAL CHEMISTRY, SPECIAL COAGULATION, BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS).
  • Read, interpret, work-up and report culture results for all areas of Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteriology; proficient in reading and interpreting stained smears; knowledge and ability to set-up and report automated/molecular identification and susceptibility testing and interpret results (BACTERIOLOGY).
  • NOTE: ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REGIONAL FLOW CYTOMETRY (LOS ANGELES):
  • One year recent experience in Flow Cytometry analysis such as leukemia / lymphoma phenotyping, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, T cell subset enumeration, DNA cell cycle analysis and cytochemical staining.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • One (1) year recent experience as a CLS.
  • Applicants should have experience in mass spectrometry (GC/MS, LC/MS/MS, ICP/MS), electrophoresis, and special coagulation testing.

Notes:

  • EE would be rotating AM & PM shifts as operation mandates.
  • This is a temporary position for approximately 90 days