Laboratory Operations

Role Clarity | Laboratory Technician

Department: Customer Success (Operations)

Reporting To: Laboratory Manager

Role Definition:

The Laboratory Technician is responsible for performing diagnostic test processes with precision, ensuring timely and accurate results. The role involves managing the complete lifecycle of patient samples—from receipt to processing to reporting—while adhering to SOPs, quality control norms, and compliance guidelines. The technician is also expected to maintain equipment readiness, support safety practices, and contribute to a seamless, patient-centric diagnostic experience.

Deliverables:

Accurate and timely sample processing

Adherence to TAT, AMR, and critical result protocols

Compliance with QC, QA, and audit standards

Maintenance of equipment and inventory readiness

Safe, clean, and compliant lab environment

Real-time LIMS updates and internal coordination

Task and Activities:

Sample Receipt and Pre-Processing

Receives incoming samples from logistics or other staff and verifies labeling details: patient name, unique ID, date/time of collection, and sample type.

Cross-checks requisition forms for completeness, including clinician details, test orders, and relevant clinical notes.

Rejects samples if clotted, hemolyzed, leaked, insufficient, or improperly labeled; records rejection reason in LIMS and informs the relevant collection center.

Applies and verifies barcodes using handheld scanners; ensures mapping in LIMS matches physical sample.

Segregates samples based on department (e.g., Biochemistry, Hematology) and urgency level (routine, STAT, panic).

If required, places centrifugation-required samples into the centrifuge as per standard protocol and timing.

Analyzer Setup and Daily Calibration

Powers on each assigned analyzer (e.g., Cobas, Vitros, Sysmex) and completes boot-up diagnostic checks.

Loads calibrators and quality control (QC) materials at the beginning of each day.

Monitors calibration graphs and flags deviations to the Laboratory Manager.

Logs calibration parameters in the analyzer logbook and QC control register.

Cleans sample probes, tubing, and trays using approved disinfectants prior to sample loading.

Routine Testing and Result Generation

Loads barcoded samples into assigned analyzers ensuring correct sample alignment and reagent use.

Monitors real-time analyzer dashboards for processing progress and error alerts.

Detects and handles flagged samples, including hemolysis detection, clots, air bubbles, or clot check errors.

Repeats tests for samples that breach AMR (Analytical Measurement Range) or CRR (Clinical Re-check Range) as per SOPs.

Performs critical value verification tests and ensures immediate reporting of such results to the Consultant/Lab Manager.

Conducts manual/semiautomated testing (e.g., ESR, blood grouping, rapid tests) as required by the workload.

Result Validation and Reporting

Reviews raw test values in LIMS and correlates with patient clinical history where available.

Identifies and flags results that need recheck, consultant review, or manual correlation (e.g., unexpected ESR or glucose trends).

Documents reasons for result delay in the LIMS; escalates repeat test cases with expected completion time.

Ensures final result submission follows dual validation protocol (Technician + Consultant sign-off).

Coordinates with Helpdesk or Reporting team to close high-priority cases nearing TAT limits.

Quality Control and Audit Compliance

Conducts daily internal QC runs; plots results on LJ charts and reviews for trend shifts.

Immediately informs Manager of QC outliers and withholds affected results until root cause is resolved.

Assists Quality Executive in preparing for internal/external audits by updating equipment logs, maintenance records, temperature logs, and SOP versions.

Executes Corrective and Preventive Actions as assigned and tracks status in CAPA logs.

Supports EQAS sample handling and recordkeeping.

Equipment Cleaning, Maintenance, and Shutdown

Performs mid-shift and end-of-day cleaning protocols for analyzers, including surface wipe-down, probe cleaning, waste line flushing, and decontamination.

Documents daily maintenance actions in the equipment usage logbook.

Checks for error codes, reagent expiry warnings, and mechanical wear during operation; raises tickets with Maintenance/Service providers when needed.

Shuts down analyzers safely and ensures that reagent bottles are closed and waste bins are emptied.

Reagent and Consumable Inventory Management

Checks reagent usage levels twice daily (mid-shift and pre-closing).

Reconciles actual vs. LIMS stock and raises restock requests if levels fall below minimum thresholds.

Receives new stock, cross-verifies quantity and batch numbers with invoices, and stores as per temperature/stability requirements.

Uses FEFO (First Expiry First Out) method for reagent consumption and discards expired stock as per biomedical waste protocol.

Tracks usage rate per test type to predict reorder frequency in coordination with SCM team.

Laboratory Safety and Hygiene Management

Adheres to full PPE usage including gloves, masks, laboratory coat where required.

Maintains hygiene protocols by disinfecting high-touch surfaces and sample handling areas at defined intervals (e.g., every 3–4 hours).

Follows color-coded biomedical waste disposal guidelines for sharps, blood, chemicals, and infectious material.

Participates in safety drills, fire safety orientation, and mock code protocols.

Immediately reports injuries, spills, or incidents through defined escalation channels.

LIMS Management and Cross-Functional Teams Coordination

Updates LIMS in real time for sample status, rejected cases, test reruns, and validated results.

Coordinates with Helpdesk for escalated customer queries, rerun reports, or critical result acknowledgments.

Works with SCM to confirm delivery timelines and with IT for resolving system-related issues.

Attends daily shift briefing and end-of-day huddle to align priorities and handover unresolved actions.

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