Mayo Clinic - Cell Biology Focused Clinical Laboratory Technician

Job Title: Clinical Laboratory Technician

Job Description

The Clinical Laboratory Technician performs complex analyses on blood, tissue, and other body fluids to support healthcare providers in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating patients. Testing takes place in specialized laboratories and involves both highly skilled manual techniques and automated procedures using sophisticated instrumentation. The role includes operating and maintaining laboratory instruments, troubleshooting assays, evaluating tests for accuracy, assisting with result interpretation, and providing operational support to optimize testing workflows. The technician works with multiple computer systems to retrieve information and report results, may work with minimal supervision, and may assist with specimen collection. Strict adherence to safety protocols is required when handling infectious specimens, chemicals, and other laboratory hazards.

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical testing on blood, bone marrow, and tissue specimens to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of patient conditions.
• Conduct specialized testing in the Cell Kinetics laboratory, focusing on leukemia and lymphoma assays.
• Carry out sample preparation activities, including pipetting, aliquoting, centrifuging, and adding reagents and chemicals to isolate white blood cells.
• Stain isolated white blood cells with specific antibodies according to established laboratory protocols.
• Operate flow cytometers to run stained cell samples and ensure accurate data acquisition.
• Work across multiple laboratory benches, initially mastering three core benches in the Cell Kinetics workflow, with the opportunity to train on more than ten additional benches upon becoming a permanent employee.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a variety of laboratory instruments and analytical platforms to ensure consistent, reliable performance.
• Evaluate test results for accuracy and consistency, and assist in interpreting findings in collaboration with other laboratory professionals.
• Use multiple computer systems and laboratory information systems to retrieve orders, manage samples, and accurately report test results.
• Follow established quality control procedures and participate in quality assurance activities to maintain high testing standards.
• Adhere strictly to safety protocols and regulatory guidelines when working with infectious specimens, chemicals, and other laboratory hazards.
• Support overall laboratory operations by optimizing testing workflows, managing sample throughput, and contributing to an efficient “assembly line” testing format.
• Collaborate with colleagues and other laboratory staff to maintain a productive and supportive work environment.
• Assist with specimen collection when needed, following proper collection, labeling, and handling procedures.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a human biological science such as Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Animal Science, Marine Biology, or Neuroscience.
• Strong foundational knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry; degrees in Chemistry or Biochemistry are preferred.
• Understanding of core laboratory practices and techniques, including sample preparation, pipetting, aliquoting, centrifugation, and reagent handling.
• Ability to work with and learn sophisticated laboratory instrumentation, including experience or familiarity with systems such as GC, LC, HPLC, and MS.
• Competence in medical laboratory testing and basic medical laboratory technology concepts.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments and assays to ensure accurate and reliable test performance.
• Knowledge of quality control principles and procedures in a laboratory environment.
• Comfort using multiple computer systems and laboratory information systems to manage data and report results.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when performing tests, recording data, and reviewing results.
• Ability to strictly follow safety protocols and handle infectious specimens and chemicals in compliance with laboratory safety standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with laboratory practices in a college, research, or clinical setting is a plus but not required.
• Experience working with analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and mass spectrometry (MS) is preferred.
• Coursework in medical technology or medical laboratory science is beneficial.
• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline is accepted; doctoral (PhD) degrees are not required for this role.
• Familiarity with flow cytometry and antibody staining techniques is advantageous.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-throughput, assembly-line style laboratory environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot assays and instrumentation issues.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with laboratory colleagues and accurately document and relay test information.
• Interest in long-term career growth within a large, high-performing healthcare organization.

Work Environment

This role is based in a specialized clinical laboratory environment that supports high-volume diagnostic testing. The Cell Kinetics laboratory operates in an assembly-line format, where samples move through defined stages including sample preparation, antibody staining, and flow cytometry analysis. Technicians work at multiple benches, initially rotating through three core benches with the opportunity to train on more than ten additional benches after transitioning to permanent employment. The position offers one opening on a Tuesday through Saturday day shift, with start times typically varying between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The workplace uses sophisticated analytical instrumentation such as GC, LC, HPLC, MS, and flow cytometers, along with multiple computer systems and laboratory information systems for data management and reporting. The environment emphasizes strict adherence to safety protocols when handling infectious specimens and chemicals, and supports ongoing professional development and career growth. Contract employees receive complimentary bus passes, making commuting more convenient. The organization is consistently recognized for excellence in patient care and offers a collaborative, professional culture focused on quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rochester, MN.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $24.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Rochester,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.