Clinical Laboratory Scientist I

Working at Abbott 
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: 

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. 

• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year. 

• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution. 

• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree. 

• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. 

• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists. 

The Opportunity 
This position works out of our Madison, WI location supporting clinical trials in our Cancer Diagnostics division.

We’re empowering smarter medical and economic decision-making to help transform the way people manage their health at all stages of life. Every day, more than 10 million tests are run on Abbott’s diagnostics instruments, providing lab results for millions of people.  

Our Point of Care diagnostic portfolio spans key health and therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, cardiometabolic, informatics, and toxicology.   

Our diagnostic solutions are used in hospitals, laboratories, and clinics around the globe. The crucial information derived from our tests, instruments, and informatics systems is often the first step in patient care decision-making for hundreds of health conditions from heart attacks to blood disorders to infectious diseases and cancers.  

Our rapid diagnostics solutions are helping address some of the world’s greatest healthcare challenges.   

Our molecular division delivers best-in-class innovative testing solutions for people around the world to provide answers to life’s critical health decisions.  We help people live full and healthy lives through our accessible, molecular-based solutions.   

Schedule: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Flexibility required for special projects; schedule may vary with advance notice.

The Clinical Study Scientist I performs specimen processing and laboratory analysis on clinical trial specimens using established Laboratory procedures.  The Clinical Study Scientist duties will include, but are not limited to, processing clinical trial samples, performing and documenting quality assurance, quality control, equipment maintenance, storing and shipping samples, performance of moderate, and highly complex analytical testing, and accurately documenting all work performed under the direction of the Laboratory Medical Director.  As a Clinical Study Scientist I, you will recognize and resolve problems using good laboratory practices.

What You’ll Work On 

• Perform processing blood, stool, and other type of clinical trial samples. Interpret problems with specimens which meet the rejection criteria for unacceptable samples.  Make the decision to reject a sample and request recollection to ensure validity of results.

• Accession specimens for testing and determine acceptability of samples within guidelines.

• Identify samples collection issues and report them to the Lab Leadership in a timely manner.

• Follow scheduling and tasks assigned by the Clinical Study Team Leadership.

• Operate laboratory instruments and ensure proper functioning of laboratory equipment.

• Run sample processing automation.

• Report any automation, equipment, and specimen related issues to the Lab Leadership in a timely manner.

• Participate in Clinical Study Team sample pulling process and projects.

• Complete and document required maintenance activities on equipment, recognize and elevate potential issues reporting service needs to leadership for resolution.

• Perform appropriate specimen collection, handling, and transport procedures.

• Perform quality control procedures as specified and maintain quality control records and documentation necessary to meet the standards of accrediting agencies.

• Assist in developing procedures for specimen collection, handling and transport to maintain specimen integrity and viability.

• Validate acceptability of sample processing or testing results by reviewing test parameters.

• Monitor quality assurance and assist in data collection and preparation of QA indicators.

• Maintain clean and orderly work area.  Clean bench surfaces and equipment each shift or after contamination or spill.

• Meet work product output expectations maintaining all section turn-around times.

• Participate in continuing education and staff meetings.  Prepare and present continuing education programs for department personnel as requested.  Responsible for own professional development.

• Apply step by step thinking, problem solving and critical thinking patterns.

• Contribute to design, research, review and writing of laboratory manuals.  Remain informed of procedure updates and changes.

• Comply with safety and hazard regulations as outlined in the Clinical Laboratory Safety Manual.  Failure to follow safety protocols will result in disciplinary action.  Understand, maintain and enforce safety guidelines.

• Observe principles of data security and patient confidentiality.  Maintain ethical standards in the performance of testing and in interactions with patients, co-workers and other health care professionals.

• Demonstrate adaptability by embracing changes in the laboratory with a positive attitude.

• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.

• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.

• Regular and reliable attendance.

• May perform repetitious actions using lab tools.

• May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation.

• Ability to work overtime as needed.

• Ability to travel 10% of the working time and means to travel between Madison Laboratory locations.

• Ability to work outside assigned schedule as needed.

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds for approximately 25% of a typical working day.

• Ability to work seated for approximately 50% of a typical working day.

• Ability to work standing for approximately 50% of a typical working day.

• Ability to work in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 75% of a typical working day.

• Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, or a similar life sciences degree.

• 1+ years of experience with human samples after receiving a Bachelor’s degree.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).

• Ability to use Microsoft Office Programs.

• Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation.

• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications 

• 2+ years of experience working in a clinical laboratory setting.

• Experience in specimen processing or molecular testing.

• Experience working within a blood processing laboratory