Clinical Laboratory Specialist

The DNA Diagnostic Lab (DDL) at Johns Hopkins Medicine is committed to offering state of the art molecular testing for a wide array of inherited disorders. The lab is part of Johns Hopkins Genomics, a partnership between the Department 0f Genetic Medicine (DGM) and the Department of Pathology at Johns Hopkins. JH Genomics serves as the clinical diagnostic facility for molecular genetics and genomics across Johns Hopkins Medicine. The DDL is a leader in the application of DNA sequence analysis to clinical diagnostics and continues to acquire new technologies to remain at the forefront of the molecular diagnostics field. The lab receives samples for testing from health providers within Johns Hopkins and from across the nation and the world.

We are seeking a Clinical Laboratory Specialist who will oversee clinical wet bench work and the analysis of complex genomic data. This individual will be responsible for maintaining efficient laboratory operations by supervising the technical laboratory staff, reviewing and approving QC and clinical data prior to reporting and implementing performance improvement initiatives. This individual must meet the requirements of New York State (MS plus 4 years of clinical lab experience or BS plus 6 years of clinical lab experience) to be a general lab supervisor, meaning that they can supervise the operations of the clinical laboratory in the absence of a lab director.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Supervises the technical operations of the laboratory in the absence of a lab director – includes supervision of data collection and verification based on specialized skill and knowledge.
• Coordinate workflow, including assigning tasks to designated technical staff members.
• Manages and trains staff including recommendations for hiring, terminating and performance appraisal of a unit.
• Performs review of clinical data for next generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and fragment analysis.
• Oversees quality control review of general laboratory data as well as Sanger sequencing, fragment analysis and/or next generation sequencing data.
• Assists in the process of variant classification of DNA variants identified during clinical testing.
• Works closely with the Quality Assurance Administrator to ensure the DDL meets all regulatory requirements associated with CLIA, CAP, New York State etc.
  This will include performance of competency and proficiency testing.
• Ensure that QA measures such as sample tracking, corrective actions and performance improvements are implemented.
• Ensure that the SOP Manual containing lab procedures and policies remains current and is annually reviewed by lab directors.
• Ensure that all new policies issued by regulatory agencies such as CLIA, CAP, New York State CLEP etc. are identified and that DDL policies and procedures reflect mandates and that staff members are trained accordingly.
• Participates in the design, development, and oversight of substantial projects. Coordinates own objectives and those of the technical laboratory team members.
• Leads weekly lab meetings.
• Oversees reagent and consumable ordering.
• Disseminates important information regarding lab flow and equipment maintenance.
• Works in a collegial manner with all staff members.
• Performs miscellaneous related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field with 5 years’ experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant molecular genetics techniques.
• Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in a related discipline with four years’ experience in a clinical laboratory performing relevant molecular genetics techniques.
• Experience in genetics and molecular diagnostics.

Technical Qualifications/Specialized Certifications:

• Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
• Finger dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm.
• Communication skills using the spoken word.
• Ability to see and hear within normal parameters.
• Lift, carry, move supplies, computers, glassware, etc.
• Ability to move about workspace.

JHU Equivalency Formula:  30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience.  Additional related experience may substitute for the required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Classified Title: Clinical Laboratory Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MD
Starting Salary Range: $53,020 - $72,937 annually (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Mon- Fri 8:30-5
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: School of Medicine Campus
Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM Genetics DNA Diagnostic Lab DDL
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons or because the individual is pregnant or attempting to become pregnant. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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