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Instrument Specialist

*ETHOS LABORATORIES* – Newport, KY

LOCATION: This position is located in Newport, KY, two blocks from Newport on the Levee.

HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM – 4:00PM

***Will also require flexibility to complete work after hours and/or on weekends as needed.***

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Master of Science in Life Science, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or similar analytical science field with minimum of 2 years of relevant experience; OR Bachelor of Science with minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
  • Requires an advanced understanding of LC-MS/MS instruments.
  • Preference for candidates with experience with EIA, ELISA, and/or ECLIA instruments.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Instrument Specialist is responsible for managing and maintaining the instruments and equipment used in the laboratory, including LC-MS/MS, LC-QTOF, and EIA, to minimize downtime while ensuring optimal conditions. This person will ensure proper maintenance of instrumentation, participate in selection of new instrumentation, participate in development of new processes for instrumentation, perform installation and validation for new instruments, and have overall responsibility to ensure optimal operation of instrumentation. This person will also be responsible for scheduling and maintaining records for maintenance, repairs, and certifications on additional laboratory equipment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

INSTRUMENTS

  • Oversee the maintenance of all LC-MS/MS, LC-QTOF, and EIA instruments (other instruments as needed).
  • Perform and/or schedule appropriate preventative maintenance (PM), utilizing instrument service contracts and agreements.
  • Identify and troubleshoot instrument issues, and work in close contact with other supervisors to correct instrument issues, including photometer issues, calibration failures, parts replacement, high complexity repairs, and identifying potential issues developing within LC systems (chromatography related) or MS systems (contamination or sensitivity related).
  • Determine which actions are taken and documented when significant deviations from the laboratory’s established instrument performance are identified.
  • Maintain an appropriate inventory of reagents, parts, and supplies needed for maintenance of all instruments; notify the appropriate person when reagents, parts, or supplies should be ordered.
  • Take steps to increase efficiency and productivity with instrument processes, minimizing downtime while maintaining optimum conditions.
  • Participate in research and acquisition of new instruments.
  • Participate in installation and validation for new instruments, as well as participate in development of new processes and methods.
  • Participate in meetings and a wide variety of special projects.
  • Be available for necessary instrument repairs outside of normal hours.

EQUIPMENT

  • Maintain appropriate certifications and records for lab equipment, including but not limited to: liquid handlers, solid phase extraction robots, centrifuges, manual and automatic pipettes, concentration evaporators, heating blocks, sonicators, etc.
  • Effectively troubleshoot issues as they arise with the lab equipment.
  • Schedule appropriate maintenance and certifications as required by CLIA and CAP.
  • Participate in research and acquisition of new equipment.

TRAINING AND COLLABORATION

  • Train new and existing employees on proper use and maintenance of instruments and equipment.
  • Determine that personnel have been appropriately trained and demonstrate competency prior to performing instrument maintenance independently.
  • Encourage positive communication and interactions within the lab to increase collaboration and teamwork.
  • Work closely with other supervisors to coordinate maintenance and training schedules.
  • Collaborate with other supervisors on workflow and process improvement initiatives.

DOCUMENTATION AND REVIEW

  • Review and/or create SOPs and forms when needed.
  • Maintain appropriate records of certifications, repairs, and maintenance for lab instruments and equipment according to CLIA and CAP regulations.
  • Review and sign off on all maintenance records weekly for lab instruments.
  • Track maintenance repairs and monitor usage of maintenance consumables to stay within established budgets.
  • Track and minimize instrument downtime to increase throughput and performance.
  • Develop, track, and maintain data and instrument performance indicators on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
  • Ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Communicate issues, as needed, with other supervisors and/or Lab Director in a timely manner.
  • Schedule meetings, as needed, with supervisors and/or employees to discuss changes, updates, issues, etc.
  • Document incidents and accidents on the appropriate forms, perform remedial training, if required, to prevent further incidents/accidents.
  • Develop and review various analysis reports to track efficiency and productivity.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Regular and prompt attendance.
  • Must be able to work on extremely sensitive instruments and equipment.
  • High level of attention to detail.
  • Proficient in operating complex laboratory instrumentation and computers with scientific software.
  • Proficient in developing tracking tools in Excel or other computer software.
  • Excellent time management, scheduling, documentation, and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated troubleshooting abilities.
  • Must be flexible, innovative, and self-motivated.
  • Must be able to plan and organize his/her work, and have ability to participate in method development, validation or research with technical supervision.
  • Ability to function seamlessly independently and in a team environment.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Able and willing to follow established protocols employing acceptable forensic standards of analysis and the use of judgment in searching for solutions or new applications within one’s own experience.
  • Must be able to work with limited supervision where the work assignments are subject to established procedures, practices, precedents, methods, techniques, standards, and/or well-defined policies.
  • Must be able to achieve superior results when work is reviewed in terms of quality, volume, timeliness, and adherence to established methods, standards and policies.
  • Ability to listen, learn, and promote accountability and responsibility related to all processes.
  • Able to work and perform in a laboratory environment; exposes the incumbent to normal laboratory hazards and chemicals, including biohazard materials.