Location: Baltimore,MD, USA
Requisition ID: 116669
Clinical Laboratory Specialist
The Johns Hopkins University Department of Genetic Medicine is seeking to hire a Clinical Laboratory Specialist. The DNA Diagnostic Laboratory (DDL) is a high-complexity, clinical, molecular genetics laboratory integrated within Johns Hopkins Genomics-a partnership between the Institute of Genetic Medicine and the Department of Pathology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. The DDL is committed to offering state of the art clinical molecular testing for inherited disorders in compliance with the highest regulatory standards. The DDL applies next generation DNA sequence analysis (Whole Exome Sequencing and NGS panels) to clinical diagnostics in additional to Sanger sequencing.
The DDL is seeking a highly skilled Clinical Laboratory Specialist to join our team. The Clinical Laboratory Specialist will be responsible for analyzing data from clinical laboratory tests in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs). The candidate will be expected to acquire a level of knowledge to properly analyze results, especially where results are abnormal or a typical, while adhering to clinical regulatory requirements. In addition, the successful candidate should become proficient in clinical molecular variant interpretation and writing customized clinical reports.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
* Performs clinical data analysis; requires specialized knowledge of complex and rare genetic diseases in order to make accurate interpretations and recommendations.
* Evaluates clinical molecular variants according to ACMG guidelines using online databases, in-silico variant analysis tools, and comprehensive assessment of the scientific literature.
* Writes customized clinical reports and communicate results to referrers when requested.
* Participates in the authorship and maintenance of clinical analysis and QC-related SOPs.
* Assists with development of technical assays, bioinformatics protocols, and performance improvements as needed.
* Adheres to quality standards and regulatory requirements (CAP) throughout all phases of testing and analysis and maintain quality assurance documentation.
* Strictly complies with patient care and confidentiality policies, including HIPAA regulations.
* Performs miscellaneous related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
* Strong knowledge of genetics, genomics, and molecular biology.
* Excellent analytical, interpretive, and communication skills.
* Attention to detail is critical to the successful performance of this job as it directly affects patient diagnoses or research outcomes.
Specific Physical Requirements
* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, see and hear.
* May sit or stand for prolonged periods and occasionally required to walk.
* The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, touch, feel, and type.
* May reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
* Prolonged vision requirements including viewing computer screen, paper reports/documents, charts and results.
* Staff may be required to complete annual competency review, and must ensure compliance with Hospital Policy, Laboratory Policy & Procedure, Health, Safety & Environment regulations, and all applicable privacy & confidentiality laws/practices.
Minimum Qualifications
* Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
* Five years' experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant 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 and experience working in a clinical laboratory or research setting.
Classified Title: Clinical Laboratory Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MD
Starting Salary Range: $55,800 - $97,600 Annually ($76,700 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 8 to 4;30 pm
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM Genetics DNA Diagnostic Lab DDL
Personnel area: School of Medicine
Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University's salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here:
Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: 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 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.
Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.
Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
EEO is the Law
Accommodation Information
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 Talent Acquisition Office at ...@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit
Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit and all other JHU applicants should visit
The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. 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.
Hybrid: On-site 3-4 days a week