Medical Laboratory Scientist - Molecular Diagnostic
MD Anderson
Houston, TX 77030
$67,000 - $100,000 a year
Description
The Molecular Diagnostics department at MD Anderson Cancer Center is at the forefront of precision medicine, utilizing advanced genomic and molecular technologies to support accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decisions for cancer patients. This team plays a critical role in translating complex molecular data into actionable clinical insights that directly impact patient outcomes.
As a Medical Laboratory Scientist in Molecular Diagnostics, you will perform high-complexity testing in a dynamic and rapidly evolving laboratory environment. This role is ideal for individuals who are detail-oriented, technically skilled, and passionate about contributing to cutting-edge diagnostic science.
In this position, you will maintain competency across all laboratory policies, procedures, and protocols while performing and supporting molecular testing processes. You will be responsible for ensuring quality control standards are met, troubleshooting instrumentation, and maintaining laboratory equipment to support accurate and reliable test results. Your ability to manage inventory, follow regulatory requirements, and uphold safety standards is essential to maintaining operational excellence.
You will play a key role in analyzing and evaluating patient results, ensuring accuracy and proper documentation within laboratory information systems. Strong computer proficiency is required, as you will work across multiple platforms to manage specimen data, track results, and maintain accessible records in compliance with regulatory standards.
This role emphasizes both independent work and team collaboration. You will prioritize and organize workloads to meet turnaround times while also supporting peers and leadership as needed. Effective communication and teamwork are critical, as you will collaborate across disciplines and contribute to a positive, high-performing laboratory environment.
You will also support quality improvement and innovation efforts, including participation in process improvement initiatives and the validation and implementation of new methodologies and technologies. Additionally, you will contribute to the development of others by training students, employees, and fellows, helping to strengthen overall laboratory capability.
Customer service is an important aspect of this role, as you will interact with internal and external stakeholders to address questions, resolve issues, and ensure a high level of service and responsiveness.
Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and a commitment to quality and continuous improvement in a highly specialized field.
MD Anderson offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including paid medical benefits, generous paid time off, retirement plans, and additional benefits, along with opportunities to grow within a world-renowned institution leading advancements in cancer care and diagnostics.
**The hours for the position will be discussed in the interview. The ideal candidate will have a bachelors degree in a science related field**
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
Technical Skills
Productivity and Communication / Teamwork
Quality Commitment and Enhancement
Customer Service
Computer Skills
Other duties as assigned
Required:
Required Experience:
Preferred:
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
#LI-Onsite
As a Medical Laboratory Scientist in Molecular Diagnostics, you will perform high-complexity testing in a dynamic and rapidly evolving laboratory environment. This role is ideal for individuals who are detail-oriented, technically skilled, and passionate about contributing to cutting-edge diagnostic science.
In this position, you will maintain competency across all laboratory policies, procedures, and protocols while performing and supporting molecular testing processes. You will be responsible for ensuring quality control standards are met, troubleshooting instrumentation, and maintaining laboratory equipment to support accurate and reliable test results. Your ability to manage inventory, follow regulatory requirements, and uphold safety standards is essential to maintaining operational excellence.
You will play a key role in analyzing and evaluating patient results, ensuring accuracy and proper documentation within laboratory information systems. Strong computer proficiency is required, as you will work across multiple platforms to manage specimen data, track results, and maintain accessible records in compliance with regulatory standards.
This role emphasizes both independent work and team collaboration. You will prioritize and organize workloads to meet turnaround times while also supporting peers and leadership as needed. Effective communication and teamwork are critical, as you will collaborate across disciplines and contribute to a positive, high-performing laboratory environment.
You will also support quality improvement and innovation efforts, including participation in process improvement initiatives and the validation and implementation of new methodologies and technologies. Additionally, you will contribute to the development of others by training students, employees, and fellows, helping to strengthen overall laboratory capability.
Customer service is an important aspect of this role, as you will interact with internal and external stakeholders to address questions, resolve issues, and ensure a high level of service and responsiveness.
Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and a commitment to quality and continuous improvement in a highly specialized field.
MD Anderson offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including paid medical benefits, generous paid time off, retirement plans, and additional benefits, along with opportunities to grow within a world-renowned institution leading advancements in cancer care and diagnostics.
**The hours for the position will be discussed in the interview. The ideal candidate will have a bachelors degree in a science related field**
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
Technical Skills
- Remains knowledgeable and competent in all policies, procedures and protocols.
- Maintains laboratory equipment and assists in troubleshooting
- Remains knowledgeable of quality control data of reported tests
- Follows section's inventory control system to ensure effective use of supplies and reagents.
- Attends/participates in sectional and team in-services and meetings
Productivity and Communication / Teamwork
- Adjusts, prioritizes, and organizes work to achieve maximum productivity to meet the workload demands of the section.
- Assists peers and supervisors with tasks after completion of assigned work.
- Adheres to attendance policy, begins work as scheduled.
- Works independently and also when necessary within the team, utilizes resources available to maximize efficiency.
- Initiates communication with others; works well with others to ensure the work gets done to standard and on time; is accepting of and values individual differences
- Remains responsible and accountable for all actions
Quality Commitment and Enhancement
- Participates in training students, employees and fellows.
- Participates in process improvement projects.
- Validates and evaluates new methodologies and tests with the help of Lead, Sr. Scientist or Laboratory Supervisor and technical support.
- Reviews and follows SOPs
- Adheres to and understands CAP and CLIA Guidelines
Customer Service
- Manages all customer service interactions with diplomacy, actively facilitating resolutions to problems and addressing the needs of clients both internal and external
Computer Skills
- Maintains proficiency in computer functions in the lab processes.
- Properly acquires specimen data into computer system(s).
- Analyzes and evaluates patient results correctly and appropriately.
- Stores patient information and results to allow easy future access as required
Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Associate's Degree in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology OR
- Bachelor's Degree in a related science field or Molecular Genetic Technology OR
- Successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) accredited Clinical Laboratory Science/Molecular Genetic Technology accredited program
Required Experience:
- 2 years of clinical laboratory experience with an Associate's Degree in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology
- 1 year of clinical laboratory experience with a Bachelor's Degree in a related science field
- No experience required with completion of a NAACLS-accredited Clinical Laboratory Science/Molecular Genetic Technology accredited program
Preferred:
- ASCP - American Society of Clinical Pathologist Technologist/Scientist/Specialist certification OR
- CHS - Certified Histocompatibility Specialist, American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ACHI) OR
- CHT - Certified Histocompatibility Technologist, American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ACHI) OR
- MDT - Molecular Diagnostics Tech, American Medical
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
- Requisition ID: 179782
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Days
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 67,000
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 83,500
- Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 100,000
- FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Hard
- Work Location: Onsite
- Pivotal Position: Yes
- Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
- Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes
#LI-Onsite