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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Molecular Technician (COVID Testing)

💰 $ - $

HealthcareLaboratoryMolecular Diagnostics

🎯 Role Definition

The Molecular Technician (COVID Testing) is a laboratory professional responsible for accurate processing, testing, documentation, and reporting of specimens for SARS‑CoV‑2 and related respiratory pathogen detection. This role supports high-throughput molecular diagnostic workflows (RT‑PCR/qPCR and other nucleic acid amplification methods) while ensuring compliance with CLIA/CAP/ISO standards, biosafety policies, and laboratory quality assurance practices. The ideal candidate combines technical expertise in molecular methods with meticulous sample handling, strong data integrity habits, and clear communication with clinicians, public health partners, and laboratory leadership.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Laboratory Assistant / Lab Aide in clinical or research labs
  • Phlebotomist or Specimen Processing Technician
  • Recent graduate with B.S. in Biology/Molecular Biology entering clinical labs

Advancement To:

  • Senior Molecular Technician / Lead Molecular Technologist
  • Clinical Laboratory Scientist / Medical Technologist (MLS/MT)
  • Molecular Diagnostics Supervisor or Laboratory Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Assurance / Quality Control Technician
  • LIMS Administrator or Data Analyst (laboratory informatics)
  • Research Technician in molecular biology or virology labs

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive, triage, and accession clinical specimens intended for SARS‑CoV‑2 and respiratory pathogen testing, ensuring accurate patient identifiers and chain-of-custody documentation in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
  • Perform nucleic acid extraction, sample preparation, and RT‑PCR/qPCR setup following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and manufacturer instructions while maintaining contamination control practices and unidirectional workflow.
  • Operate and maintain molecular diagnostic instruments and analyzers used for COVID testing (e.g., qPCR instruments, extraction platforms), including routine calibration checks and documentation of instrument status in maintenance logs.
  • Execute high-volume diagnostic testing under time-sensitive conditions while maintaining accurate test results, lot numbers, and reagent usage records; prioritize samples based on clinical urgency and test routing.
  • Analyze amplification curves and instrument readouts to interpret qualitative and quantitative results within the scope of practice, escalating atypical or inconclusive results to senior staff or clinical scientists for review.
  • Enter and verify test results, quality control data, and electronic test comments in LIMS and electronic medical record interfaces, ensuring timely reporting to ordering providers and public health authorities as required.
  • Perform and document daily and batch quality control (QC) measures, including positive, negative, and internal controls; monitor QC trends and participate in root-cause analysis for out-of-range control events.
  • Adhere to biosafety and infection control protocols for handling potentially infectious respiratory specimens, including appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering controls, and waste disposal procedures.
  • Maintain reagent and consumable inventory levels for COVID testing workflows, coordinate reagent orders with procurement, and validate receipt of lot-specific documentation and expiration dates.
  • Follow specimen retention, disposal, and storage policies (refrigeration/freezer/archival) to support potential re-testing, confirmatory testing, or public health investigations.
  • Document procedural deviations, instrument errors, and corrective actions in incident logs; contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing turnaround time and improving test accuracy.
  • Participate in internal and external proficiency testing, method verification, and competency assessments; prepare data and documentation for regulatory inspections (CLIA/CAP/ISO) and accreditation audits.
  • Collaborate with clinical teams and public health partners to provide testing capacity updates, explain testing limitations, and support epidemiological reporting requirements for SARS‑CoV‑2 surveillance.
  • Train and mentor new laboratory staff and cross-train team members on molecular testing workflows, safety practices, and LIMS operations to maintain operational resilience during surge periods.
  • Maintain meticulous documentation for all testing activities, including reagent lot numbers, instrument run IDs, operator initials, and electronic traceability to support auditability and regulatory compliance.
  • Support validation and implementation of new molecular assays, instruments, or automation solutions by participating in method comparison studies and compiling validation data summaries under supervision of senior scientists.
  • Troubleshoot basic instrument and assay-level issues through documented escalation channels, coordinate vendor service calls, and track resolution activities without performing unauthorized repairs.
  • Implement laboratory safety drills and participate in emergency response planning, including contingency procedures for high-volume testing surges, supply chain disruptions, and outbreak scenarios.
  • Ensure confidentiality of patient data and maintain HIPAA-compliant behavior when handling test requests, results, and communications; adhere to institutional policies on data security and disclosure.
  • Contribute to periodic process improvement projects (Lean/Six Sigma) to streamline sample flow, reduce hands-on time, and increase throughput while preserving data integrity and result quality.
  • Support adjunct diagnostic activities as needed, such as multiplex respiratory panels, variant screening assays, or confirmatory sequencing referrals, following validated protocols and supervisory guidance.
  • Coordinate with lab informatics or IT teams to troubleshoot data transfer issues, result reporting errors, and connectivity problems between analyzers and the LIMS; validate fix and confirm accurate downstream reporting.
  • Maintain awareness of evolving SARS‑CoV‑2 testing guidelines, variant monitoring strategies, and public health reporting mandates; implement lab-level changes in collaboration with quality and medical leadership.
  • Assist with billing documentation and test ordering reconciliation to ensure appropriate coding for COVID testing and to support laboratory reimbursement processes.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests for testing volumes, turnaround times, and positivity rates to assist laboratory leadership and public health surveillance teams.
  • Participate in cross-functional meetings to align laboratory capacity planning with clinical demand and community testing initiatives.
  • Assist in drafting and updating laboratory SOPs, training materials, and competency checklists related to COVID testing workflows and biosafety requirements.
  • Provide input to procurement on selection of reagents, consumables, and automation equipment based on operational needs and performance data.
  • Engage in professional development activities, including attending webinars, internal training sessions, and vendor-led instrument training to stay current with molecular diagnostics best practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Hands-on experience with RT‑PCR/qPCR workflows for SARS‑CoV‑2 detection and other nucleic acid amplification assays (high-level, non-procedural).
  • Proficiency with nucleic acid extraction platforms and sample preparation methods in a clinical laboratory environment.
  • Working knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and electronic result reporting interfaces (HL7 experience is a plus).
  • Strong competence in performing and documenting quality control (QC), proficiency testing, and instrument maintenance logs.
  • Familiarity with CLIA, CAP, CLIA-waived testing distinctions, and other regulatory frameworks governing clinical diagnostics.
  • Experience with inventory management for reagents, consumables, and cold-chain materials used in molecular testing.
  • Ability to read and interpret amplification curves, control metrics, and basic molecular assay performance indicators.
  • Basic informatics skills: exporting run data, uploading results, and troubleshooting data exchange between analyzers and LIMS.
  • Competence in aseptic technique, contamination control practices, and use of biosafety cabinets and PPE consistent with BSL‑2 sample handling policies.
  • Documentation skills for SOPs, deviation reports, corrective actions, and audit-ready record maintenance.
  • Familiarity with automation platforms used for high-throughput molecular testing and ability to follow manufacturer maintenance schedules.
  • Understanding of sample accessioning, labeling standards, and chain-of-custody procedures for clinical specimens.
  • Experience with multiplex respiratory panels and variant screening assays is advantageous.
  • Basic statistical literacy for interpreting control trends, run performance, and assay sensitivity/specificity indicators.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in a high-volume testing environment.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills for clear interaction with clinicians, lab leadership, and public health contacts.
  • Team-oriented mindset with ability to train, mentor, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks under tight turnaround time requirements.
  • Problem-solving skills with a focus on escalation and documented resolution rather than unsupervised technical repairs.
  • Adaptability to changing protocols, regulatory updates, and surge testing demands.
  • Professional integrity and commitment to patient confidentiality and data security (HIPAA).
  • Organizational skills for maintaining inventories, documentation, and audit-ready records.
  • Resilience and stress-management skills during periods of high workload or public health emergencies.
  • Continuous improvement mindset: open to feedback, process optimization, and participation in quality initiatives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Biotechnology, or related life sciences field with relevant laboratory coursework.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related field.
  • Certification (preferred): ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) or equivalent clinical laboratory certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Laboratory Science / Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology
  • Biology / Biochemistry

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years (entry-level roles available for qualified graduates) to 3+ years for high-throughput or supervisory roles.

Preferred:

  • 1–2 years of hands-on experience in molecular diagnostics or high-complexity clinical laboratory testing, preferably including SARS‑CoV‑2 RT‑PCR workflows.
  • Experience working in CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited, or public health laboratory settings.
  • Prior exposure to LIMS, electronic health record interfaces, and high-throughput automated platforms.
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