Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist - Genomics

The Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist - Genomics provides technical oversight and performs high-complexity molecular and genomic testing within the laboratorys approved scope of services. The role is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of genomic diagnostic testing through oversight of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, including specimen assessment, nucleic acid extraction, assay preparation, sequencing workflows, quality control, technical review, troubleshooting, and workflow coordination.

The position serves as a technical resource for laboratory staff and supports competency assessment, staff development, method verification and validation, quality management activities, and continuous process improvement initiatives. The Senior Technologist ensures compliance with American Hospital Dubai policies and procedures, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulations, College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation requirements, Joint Commission International (JCI) standards, and applicable genomic data privacy, security, and governance regulations.

Responsibilities

Technical Operations

• Performs and coordinates high-complexity molecular and genomic testing within the approved test menu, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, sequencing workflows, library preparation, and other validated molecular techniques as applicable.
• Reviews specimen suitability, patient and sample identification, collection requirements, transport, storage, chain of custody, and pre-analytical variables, ensuring complete traceability and timely escalation of unsuitable or discrepant specimens.
• Oversees daily technical workflow and prioritization within the Genomics Lab, monitors turnaround times and pending work, and provides technical guidance to technologists to maintain safe, accurate, and efficient service delivery.
• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots genomic laboratory equipment and software platforms, coordinating preventive maintenance, service support, reagent readiness, environmental controls, and downtime contingencies with relevant teams and vendors.
• Supports verification and validation of new assays, instruments, reagents, software, and workflow changes, including accuracy, precision, analytical sensitivity/specificity, reportable range, reference materials, contamination controls, and required technical documentation.
• Reviews analytical data and test results within authorized professional scope, identifies quality or technical concerns, and escalates significant, discordant, or clinically relevant findings to the responsible laboratory specialist, pathologist, or authorized reporting professional.
• Leads staff orientation, technical training, competency assessment, procedure updates, and bench-level coaching; supports audits, CAP/DHA/JCI accreditation readiness, non-conformity investigations, CAPA, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and support to students.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Performs and evaluates quality control, calibration, calibration verification, proficiency testing, external quality assessment activities, and other quality indicators to ensure analytical reliability and accuracy.
• Investigates quality control failures, instrument performance issues, and non-conforming events, implementing corrective actions and documenting outcomes in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Ensures compliance with patient identification, traceability, confidentiality, data integrity, and document control requirements.
• Maintains accurate genomic laboratory records and data within the LIS and approved systems, ensuring confidentiality, controlled access, secure handling, auditability, retention, and compliance with applicable human genetic and genomic data-governance requirements.
• Collaborates effectively with pathologists, physicians, nursing staff, phlebotomists, laboratory colleagues, referral laboratories, and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality laboratory services and optimal patient outcomes. Provides technical support and guidance to laboratory colleagues within area of expertise.
• Participates in continuing education, professional development, competency programs, and departmental training initiatives to maintain current knowledge and technical proficiency. Promotes a culture of safety, quality, teamwork, innovation, and patient-centered care.
• Participates in internal audits, quality improvement initiatives, competency assessments, accreditation activities, and regulatory inspections to maintain continuous compliance with CAP, DHA, JCI, and other applicable standards.
• Supports the investigation, documentation, and resolution of incidents, non-conformities, corrective actions, preventive actions, and risk management activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Technology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Science, or a related recognized discipline.
• Current professional registration in the home country where applicable and valid Dubai Health Authority (DHA) License/Eligibility appropriate to the professional title and approved scope of practice.
• Advanced knowledge of molecular diagnostics and genomic laboratory workflows, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR-based methods, sequencing, quality control, contamination prevention, and analytical troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of DHA Standards for Genomic Services, DHA Molecular and Genomics Testing Laboratory requirements, CAP laboratory accreditation requirements, JCI standards, and ISO 15189 quality principles is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Laboratory Information Systems, genomic laboratory software, sequencing platforms, data transfer workflows, and applicable bioinformatics interfaces is preferred.
• Strong leadership, analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, communication, and organizational skills with exceptional attention to patient identification, traceability, confidentiality, and data integrity.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of five (5) years of recent experience in Medical Laboratory Science or Molecular Diagnostics, with at least three (3) years of hands-on experience in a molecular or genomics laboratory.
• Demonstrated experience with next-generation sequencing and/or other high-complexity molecular platforms, including sample preparation, quality assessment, instrument operation, troubleshooting, and technical review.
• Experience in assay validation/verification, proficiency testing, quality control review, non-conformity investigation, corrective action, and accreditation preparation is required.
• Previous experience providing technical supervision, staff training, competency assessment, or workflow coordination in a molecular/genomics laboratory is highly preferred.
• Experience within a tertiary, CAP-accredited, JCI-accredited, or similarly regulated laboratory environment is highly preferred.