Laboratory Technician

Oregon 100 Best Company!
AYUMETRIX is a start-up diagnostic laboratory using technologies of the future to test blood and other body fluids and looking for a dynamic individual with creative abilities who can work with little supervision and as part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists. We are a 100 Best Company in Oregon 2022.

The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge and experience of ELISA technology and assay development. Should be able to work independently and carry out scientific techniques, procedures and research related to goals of the laboratory. This position reports to the Laboratory Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Collect, process and test patient specimens in a safe and accurate manner according to accepted guidelines, including federal and state regulations, OSHA guidelines, laboratory policies and supervisor's instructions.

Follow the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.

Follow the laboratorys established action policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within laboratorys established acceptable levels of performance.

Answer phone inquiries from doctors, patients and potential patients regarding laboratory services, test availability, specimen requirements.

Respond to all customer service situations with a positive, friendly, professional demeanor. Work creatively to solve problems, prioritize duties, and maintain a healthy working atmosphere so that productivity and positive employee relations are maximized.

Assist with monitoring and stocking laboratory supplies including test kits for reference labs.

Maintain strict patient confidentiality and comply with all HIPAA guidelines.

Attend laboratory staff meetings and/or training as required.

Identify and employ new technologies for immuno-assay development.

Independently design, plan and conduct laboratory experiments in support of new product development.

Identify and resolve problems in experimental design.

Maintain good laboratory records and presentation of regular internal research reports.

Prepare progress reports including gathering, organizing, and interpreting data and preparing data for presentations and manuscripts.

May train and/or supervise lab aides/techs.

Prepare laboratory reagents, chemicals, stocks.

Operate a variety of laboratory instruments such as spectrometers, chemistry analyzers, immunoassay-analyzers. Knowledge of Mass Spectrometry is a plus.

Maintain adequate level of lab supplies to assure timely achievement of lab activities.

Adjust, calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment.

Perform literature searches in preparation for new test products development.

Monitor experiments, make observations and assess results.

Enforce proper collection and disposal of hazardous laboratory waste.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in the biological sciences or equivalent experience and/or education

• Work experience in a clinical or scientific research laboratory is a plus. Knowledge of CLIA regulations and CAP requirements preferred.

Skills and Abilities:
Must have strong communication, mathematical, computer, data analysis, and statistical analysis skills. Will also need knowledge of proper operation of complex laboratory instruments and equipment. Must have good verbal and writing skills, and have the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
Experience running ELISA and immunoassays, especially using dried blood or saliva samples is a big plus.

Physical/Mental Requirements:
Must be flexible in hours and work habits, adaptable to new procedures, able to work with and supervise technical staff.

Overtime and flexible shift hours may be required.

Sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Handling and grasping items with excellent manual dexterity. Repetitive hand movements with fine motor skill.

Lifting and carrying up to 24 lbs. from above shoulder height and from less than 1 foot from the floor.

Frequent handwashing and daily use of protective gloves, eyewear, gowns, caps and masks.

Excellent visual acuity and ability to use microscope and other similar instrumentation.

Safe handling of chemicals, liquid nitrogen, biohazardous materials

Extreme attention to detail.

Ability to perform repetitive movements.

Some twisting, bending, crouching.

Ability to be self-confident, calm, professional and decisive in pressure situations.

Must be knowledgeable of the requirements of their job as defined in pertinent sections of the CFR and state and local regulations.

Ability to perform these duties in a safe manner with the ultimate goal being the production of safe, and quality lab result.

Environmental Settings:

This position has been determined to have a reasonable anticipation of possible exposure to blood and body fluids. In addition to the standard hazard communication training, this employee is required to take annual bloodborne pathogen and personal protective equipment training prior to working.