Clinical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in California
Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in hospital systems, academic medical centers, public health laboratories, and large commercial reference labs, with openings from entry-level positions through senior and lead roles. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the heaviest hiring markets, with major employers like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Quest Diagnostics maintaining consistent demand statewide. Hematology, microbiology, and molecular diagnostics are the most sought-after specialties across California's clinical settings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 141+ Clinical Laboratory Scientist jobs
Under the general direction of the Laboratory Director, or their designee, performs pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical procedures and analyses to provide data for health maintenance, diagnoses, treatment and monitoring of medical conditions. Enhances quality of patient care and service through interdepartmental cooperation and quality assurance protocols.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Correctly verifies that the proper specimen is being analyzed for the correct patients and that the correct test is being performed. Judges the adequacy and qualities of specimens submitted for testing.
- Analyzes clinical laboratory specimens following the standard methods and procedures approved by the Laboratory Director or designee. Performs quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of clinical data.
- Utilizes test reference ranges (including neonates, pediatric and adult) to determine reasonableness of test results. Validates test results through correlation with test parameters (e.g. Hgb/Hct, anion gap, platelet count/smear, dipstick/micro etc.). Confirms testing on all Critical Values to ensure accuracy prior to releasing of test results.
- Performs routine preventative maintenance and troubleshooting on assigned instruments and equipment according to established schedule and procedure. Performs and documents instrument function by checking and calibrating specific lab instruments and documents data.
- Records on instrument logs any repairs, replacement, and maintenance needed of equipment. Releases or reports results per Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures. Trains laboratory assistants on proper techniques/procedures related to clinical laboratory practice. Performs other related duties as necessary.
- Supervisory Responsibilities: Provides general or direct supervision of Lab Assistants and general Clerical Personnel as required according to lab law and regulations. Corporate Compliance Accountability: Consistently supports the precepts of Corporate Compliance and Principles of Responsibility by maintaining confidentiality, protecting the assets of the organization, acting with integrity, reporting observed fraud and abuse and complying with applicable state, federal and local laws and program policies and procedures.
Basic Qualifications:
- Six months related experience required.
Education
- Bachelors Degree * Applicable military experience may be substituted for bachelors degree.
- Baccalaureate degree in Clinical Lab Sciences or related field.
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist License (California)
- Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
- Ability to write simple correspondence.
- Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other incumbents of the organization.
- Must be willing to work in a Labor Management Partnership environment.
- Also refer to Position Specifications outlined in the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.
- Experience including Hematology, Urinalysis, Chemistry, Blood Bank and Bacteriology experience preferred. Computer application experience/proficiency preferred.
PrimaryLocation : California,South San Francisco,S. San Francisco Hospital
HoursPerWeek : 1
Shift : Variable
Workdays : Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun,
WorkingHoursStart : 07:00 AM
WorkingHoursEnd : 11:30 PM
Job Schedule : Call-in/On-Call
Job Type : Standard
Employee Status : Regular
Employee Group/Union Affiliation : A12|IFPTE|Local 20
Job Level : Entry Level
Job Category : Laboratory
Department : So San Francisco Hospital - Pathology/Lab-Clinical Lab - 0206
Travel : No
Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.
Under the general direction of the Laboratory Director, or their designee, performs pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical procedures and analyses to provide data for health maintenance, diagnoses, treatment and monitoring of medical conditions. Enhances quality of patient care and service through interdepartmental cooperation and quality assurance protocols.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Correctly verifies that the proper specimen is being analyzed for the correct patients and that the correct test is being performed. Judges the adequacy and qualities of specimens submitted for testing.
- Analyzes clinical laboratory specimens following the standard methods and procedures approved by the Laboratory Director or designee. Performs quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of clinical data.
- Utilizes test reference ranges (including neonates, pediatric and adult) to determine reasonableness of test results. Validates test results through correlation with test parameters (e.g. Hgb/Hct, anion gap, platelet count/smear, dipstick/micro etc.). Confirms testing on all Critical Values to ensure accuracy prior to releasing of test results.
- Performs routine preventative maintenance and troubleshooting on assigned instruments and equipment according to established schedule and procedure. Performs and documents instrument function by checking and calibrating specific lab instruments and documents data.
- Records on instrument logs any repairs, replacement, and maintenance needed of equipment. Releases or reports results per Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures. Trains laboratory assistants on proper techniques/procedures related to clinical laboratory practice. Performs other related duties as necessary.
- Supervisory Responsibilities: Provides general or direct supervision of Lab Assistants and general Clerical Personnel as required according to lab law and regulations. Corporate Compliance Accountability: Consistently supports the precepts of Corporate Compliance and Principles of Responsibility by maintaining confidentiality, protecting the assets of the organization, acting with integrity, reporting observed fraud and abuse and complying with applicable state, federal and local laws and program policies and procedures.
Basic Qualifications:
- Six months related experience required.
Education
- Bachelors Degree * Applicable military experience may be substituted for bachelors degree.
- Baccalaureate degree in Clinical Lab Sciences or related field.
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist License (California)
- Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
- Ability to write simple correspondence.
- Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other incumbents of the organization.
- Must be willing to work in a Labor Management Partnership environment.
- Also refer to Position Specifications outlined in the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.
- Experience including Hematology, Urinalysis, Chemistry, Blood Bank and Bacteriology experience preferred. Computer application experience/proficiency preferred.
PrimaryLocation : California,South San Francisco,S. San Francisco Hospital
HoursPerWeek : 1
Shift : Variable
Workdays : Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun,
WorkingHoursStart : 07:00 AM
WorkingHoursEnd : 11:30 PM
Job Schedule : Call-in/On-Call
Job Type : Standard
Employee Status : Regular
Employee Group/Union Affiliation : A12|IFPTE|Local 20
Job Level : Entry Level
Job Category : Laboratory
Department : So San Francisco Hospital - Pathology/Lab-Clinical Lab - 0206
Travel : No
Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.
See All 141+ Clinical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in California
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Find JobsClinical Laboratory Scientist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Adventist Health11
- Kaiser Permanente11
- Sutter Health9
- Prime Healthcare Services8
- CommonSpirit Health7
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services10
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals5
- Education2
- Technology & Software2
- Medical Devices1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical laboratory scientist jobs across California.
- Active California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by CDPH Laboratory Field Services
- Bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or a related biological science
- ASCP Board of Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist preferred or required
- Proficiency across core laboratory disciplines including hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and blood bank
- Experience operating high-volume automated analyzers and laboratory information systems such as Epic Beaker
- Ability to perform evening, weekend, or on-call shifts in a 24-hour hospital laboratory environment
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical laboratory scientist in California?
You must hold an active Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services. To qualify, you need a bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science or a related biological science, completion of an accredited clinical training program, and a passing score on a California-approved licensure examination. The California license is required before you can work independently in most hospital and reference lab settings statewide.
Which companies hire clinical laboratory scientists in California?
Employers hiring clinical laboratory scientists in California right now include Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Sutter Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's large integrated health systems, public health labs run through county and state agencies, and national reference laboratory networks like Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp maintain some of the most consistent hiring volumes in the state.
Which California cities have the most clinical laboratory scientist jobs?
Los Angeles, Salinas, and Palo Alto have the most clinical laboratory scientist openings in California. Los Angeles leads due to its density of county hospitals, academic medical centers, and large health systems, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from major research university hospitals and a strong life sciences industry that supports both clinical and research-focused laboratory roles.
Are there remote clinical laboratory scientist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 10% of clinical laboratory scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how hands-on the role is by nature. Most bench work requires physical presence in a licensed laboratory. The narrow exceptions tend to involve laboratory management, quality assurance consulting, or telehealth-adjacent roles with a documentation and oversight focus.
How can I get hired as a clinical laboratory scientist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to a California-approved clinical training program, many of which are affiliated with UC Health, Cedars-Sinai, or county hospital systems and run as formal internships for new graduates. Large California employers such as Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health occasionally post new-graduate trainee and limited-phlebotomy positions that build toward full licensure. Holding an active California CLS license, even with minimal post-training experience, is the single credential that opens doors for entry-level candidates across the state.
Where can I find and apply to clinical laboratory scientist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to clinical laboratory scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospital systems, reference laboratories, public health agencies, and specialty clinics. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly to the employer.
See All 141+ Clinical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in California
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