Rocky Mountain Laboratories

Third-party clinical laboratory providing diagnostic testing

PCR Laboratory Technician

Diagnostics & Laboratory ProfessionalsPosted on Nov 3

Full-timeAustin, TX, USA$22 - $27 /hr

About the Job

Requirements

Meet CLIA requirements for high-complexity testing personnel under 42 CFR 493.1489: hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology; an associate degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology; or 60 semester hours including at least 24 in biology and chemistry plus documented training in molecular biology (minimum three months) or an accredited clinical laboratory program. Degrees in non-laboratory fields are not accepted.
Have hands-on bench experience performing testing on human clinical specimens in a CLIA-regulated laboratory.
Demonstrate the ability to follow protocols and perform high-complexity testing under CLIA.
Work independently with minimal supervision after onboarding.

Responsibilities

Perform molecular testing, including PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, and/or NGS, on human clinical specimens in a CLIA-regulated laboratory, including infectious disease and/or genetic testing panels.
Independently perform full molecular workflows, including specimen accessioning and plating, manual nucleic acid extraction, PCR setup, data analysis, and result reporting.
Process and manage moderate- to high-volume daily specimen workflows while maintaining accuracy and turnaround times.
Prepare reagents, controls, and samples in accordance with quality standards.
Set up, run, and troubleshoot real-time PCR assays and ensure accurate result interpretation.
Demonstrate understanding of PCR workflow steps and quality checkpoints.
Record, analyze, and interpret test results; promptly report abnormalities.
Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments and equipment.
Operate molecular laboratory instrumentation and systems, including QuantStudio 5/6/12 real-time PCR platforms, KingFisher Flex extraction systems, and related molecular laboratory equipment.
Perform quality control and proficiency testing.
Ensure compliance with CLIA, CAP, and other regulatory requirements.
Maintain organized documentation for audits and inspections.
Prioritize tasks to meet turnaround times in a moderate- to high-volume clinical environment.
Collaborate with laboratory staff and communicate testing updates and issues.
Maintain a clean and safe laboratory workspace.
Assist with training new or temporary staff as needed.
Support internal audits, continuous improvement initiatives, and special projects as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

Have at least one year of recent hands-on molecular testing experience (PCR, RT-PCR, or qPCR) on human clinical specimens.
Have independent manual nucleic acid extraction experience.
Have experience owning full molecular workflows, from specimen preparation and plating through PCR setup, data analysis, and result reporting.
Have experience setting up and resulting real-time PCR (qPCR) assays.
Have experience performing infectious disease molecular testing, such as SARS-CoV-2, respiratory panels, or STI testing.
Have experience with KingFisher Flex or similar automated extraction platforms.
Have experience with QuantStudio 5/6/12 or similar real-time PCR systems.
Have experience in moderate- to high-volume testing environments.
Be familiar with CLIA/CAP regulations and quality systems.
Hold ASCP or similar certification.
Have experience troubleshooting and maintaining laboratory equipment.
Have prior participation in laboratory inspections, audits, or validations.

PCR Laboratory Technician
Rocky Mountain Laboratories – Austin, TX

About Us
Rocky Mountain Laboratories is a clinical laboratory providing comprehensive laboratory services. We are dedicated to delivering accurate and timely diagnostic information and are committed to improving healthcare outcomes through cutting-edge technology and a customer-focused approach.

Position
We are seeking a PCR Laboratory Technician to join our Austin clinical laboratory team. This is a full-time, onsite role at our lab near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Hands-on bench experience in a CLIA-regulated clinical laboratory is required, and recent PCR/molecular experience on human clinical specimens is strongly preferred.

The ideal candidate has independently performed full molecular workflows on human clinical diagnostic specimens, including manual nucleic acid extraction, PCR setup, data analysis, and result reporting, and can integrate quickly with minimal ramp-up time.

Research-only or academic laboratory experience does not meet the clinical bench requirements for this role.

Pay
$22–$27/hour, depending on experience

Schedule
Full-time, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (includes a 30-minute lunch break), either Monday–Friday or Tuesday–Saturday

Responsibilities

Perform molecular testing (PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, and/or NGS) on human clinical specimens in a CLIA-regulated laboratory environment, including infectious disease and/or genetic testing panels
Independently perform full molecular workflows, including specimen accessioning/plating, manual nucleic acid extraction, PCR setup, data analysis, and result reporting
Process and manage moderate- to high-volume daily specimen workflows while maintaining accuracy and turnaround times
Prepare reagents, controls, and samples with strict adherence to quality standards
Set up, run, and troubleshoot real-time PCR assays and ensure accurate result interpretation
Demonstrate clear understanding of PCR workflow steps and quality checkpoints
Record, analyze, and interpret test results; promptly report abnormalities
Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments and equipment
Operate molecular laboratory instrumentation and systems, including real-time PCR platforms (QuantStudio 5/6/12), KingFisher Flex extraction systems, and related molecular lab equipment
Perform quality control and proficiency testing
Ensure compliance with CLIA, CAP, and other regulatory requirements
Maintain organized documentation for audits and inspections
Prioritize tasks to meet turnaround times in a moderate- to high-volume clinical environment
Collaborate with lab staff and communicate testing updates and issues
Maintain a clean and safe laboratory workspace
Assist with training of new or temporary staff as needed
Support internal audits, continuous improvement initiatives, and special projects as assigned

Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet CLIA requirements for high-complexity testing personnel (42 CFR 493.1489):

Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology
OR Associate degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology
OR 60 semester hours (with at least 24 in biology and chemistry) plus documented training in molecular biology (minimum 3 months) or an accredited clinical laboratory program

(Degrees in non-laboratory fields at any level are not accepted)

Additional Requirements

Hands-on bench experience performing testing on human clinical specimens in a CLIA-regulated laboratory
Demonstrated ability to follow protocols and perform high-complexity testing under CLIA
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision after onboarding

Preferred Qualifications

1+ year of recent hands-on molecular testing (PCR, RT-PCR, or qPCR) on human clinical specimens
Independent manual nucleic acid extraction experience
Ownership of full molecular workflows, from specimen preparation/plating through PCR setup, data analysis, and result reporting
Experience setting up and resulting real-time PCR (qPCR) assays
Experience performing infectious disease molecular testing (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, respiratory panels, STI testing)
Experience with KingFisher Flex or similar automated extraction platforms
Experience with QuantStudio 5/6/12 or similar real-time PCR systems
Experience in moderate- to high-volume testing environments
Familiarity with CLIA/CAP regulations and quality systems
ASCP or similar certification
Experience troubleshooting and maintaining laboratory equipment
Prior participation in lab inspections, audits, or validations

Benefits

Benefits for full-time W2 Team Members:
Benefits begin 60 days after the first full month of full-time employment.

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off (21 days annually for full-time team members)
7 Paid Holidays
401(k)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability (RML covers 60% of STD premium)
Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
100% Company-Funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additional Information
If you meet the qualifications and are interested in this position, please submit your resume for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

At Rocky Mountain Laboratories, we prioritize the care and well-being of our team members.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Rocky Mountain Laboratories is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in its workforce. We comply with all applicable federal and state laws and prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. We also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Pre-Employment Notice & E-Verify
Rocky Mountain Laboratories participates in E-Verify.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and other pre-employment screenings, as required.

Employment with Rocky Mountain Laboratories is at-will. This means either the Team Member or the company may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable laws. Nothing in this posting or in future communications alters that relationship.

While we appreciate interest from staffing agencies, Rocky Mountain Laboratories does not currently partner with external agencies. Resumes submitted unsolicited will not be considered, and no fees will be paid.

Please only reference our LinkedIn and Indeed pages for current openings:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocky-mountain-laboratories
https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Rocky-Mountain-Laboratories
https://www.rockylabs.com/

About the Company

Rocky Mountain Laboratories

Third-party clinical laboratory providing diagnostic testing

Rocky Mountain Laboratories provides diagnostic testing services to healthcare providers through a network of clinical laboratories in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas, acting as a third-party diagnostic service that integrates with providers’ workflows. It performs a wide range of tests, including infectious disease PCR/RT-PCR, toxicology, chemistry, immunology, hematology, microscopy, and coagulation, and offers genetic profiling and metabolic health assessments, with a workflow that includes same-day sample pickups and phlebotomy collection via its staff, plus an online payments portal. Its broad, vendor-neutral test menu and field support help clinicians diagnose patients quickly and accurately, differentiating itself by fitting into clinicians’ routines rather than pushing a single-method approach. The goal is to enable fast, accurate diagnoses for patients by providing comprehensive laboratory testing that easily plugs into existing healthcare workflows.

Company size: Not listed
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Not listed
Founded: Not listed

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