Entry Level Laboratory Lead Jobs
New grad laboratory lead jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or hands-on lab coursework can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, with employers like UPMC, HonorHealth, and Astera Health hiring at this level now.
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See related jobsThe Lead MLS role is eligible for a $15,000 sign-on bonus!
Purpose:
This position assists the Laboratory Supervisor by monitoring the work of technical and ancillary employees. The Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist assists in test development, gathering data for management reports and regularly performs the duties of a Medical Lab Scientist, including the accurate performance of routine and advanced testing. This position functions as the Laboratory Supervisor during the Supervisor's absence. Assures compliance with the UPMC mission and values for providing service excellence.
Responsibilities:
- ACT AS A SUPERVISOR DESIGNATE. Assumes supervisory duties and performs `in charge duties as needed. Evaluates problems in the absence of the Supervisor and solves those that are possible. Communicates problems with the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director as appropriate. Participates in an extensive administrative call rotation with the other supervisory staff (only for Tissue Typing Laboratory).
- COMPETENCY. Assists supervisory personnel in the observation and documentation of laboratory staff competency. Completes all assigned duties within the required time frame.
- OPERATIONS. All duties of a Medical Technologist. Ensures that instrument maintenance and/or function checks are performed and documented accurately, according to procedure. Troubleshoots instrument malfunctions and informs the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director of problems. Reviews QC logs. Documents and brings to the attention of the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director any errors, omissions or discrepancies in QC. Compiles QA data and prepares reports as directed by the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director. Monitors proficiency testing activity and assists the Director with evaluation of results and documentation of responses to deficiencies. Assists the Laboratory Supervisor or Manager with staff scheduling as directed.
- SERVE AS A ROLE MODEL. Maintains confidentiality regarding patient, hospital and laboratory business. Interacts professionally with other departments. Represents the Laboratory on Hospital committees as needed. Adheres to abnormal and/or critical results reporting policy and turn-around-time policy. Participates in and monitors quality assurance indicators. Adheres to personal appearance standards and displays hospital ID badge. Telephone / Internet privileges are followed according to policy. Complies with attendance and tardiness policy. Helps to monitor subordinate attendance and tardiness. Adheres to the compliance policy and serves as a resource for subordinate questions. Adheres to all safety policies as outlined in the Laboratory Safety Manual.
- PURCHASING AND INVENTORY. Demonstrates awareness of appropriate inventory levels in all relevant sections of the laboratory. Takes action to prevent supply shortages or overages. Performs purchasing of supplies in the absence of the Laboratory Supervisor or Manager as directed.
- TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION. New procedures are mastered within established time frames. Demonstrates awareness of changes in procedures and protocols. Performs orientation and training assignments in an organized, thorough manner. Serves as a resource to other employees by sharing knowledge of procedures or testing outcomes when consulted. Develops, performs and/or evaluates special projects. Performs test evaluations and validations of new procedures and/or reagent systems. Formulates, authors and/or revises procedures according to CLSI guidelines. Prepares and delivers student lectures and bench instruction where relevant
- Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university AND successful completion of an accredited Medical Lab Scientist program
- OR Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university with a major in biological, chemical, or clinical laboratory science AND ASCP or equivalent categorical or MLT certification
-
OR Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university with a major in biological, chemical, physical, or clinical laboratory science AND at least three years' experience in a role equivalent to that of a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) in a clinical laboratory.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
ASCP or equivalent certification in medical technology (MT) or categorical certification preferred. Certification as a Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) by the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI) preferred (only for HLA Laboratory).
- Act 34
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
The Lead MLS role is eligible for a $15,000 sign-on bonus!
Purpose:
This position assists the Laboratory Supervisor by monitoring the work of technical and ancillary employees. The Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist assists in test development, gathering data for management reports and regularly performs the duties of a Medical Lab Scientist, including the accurate performance of routine and advanced testing. This position functions as the Laboratory Supervisor during the Supervisor's absence. Assures compliance with the UPMC mission and values for providing service excellence.
Responsibilities:
- ACT AS A SUPERVISOR DESIGNATE. Assumes supervisory duties and performs `in charge duties as needed. Evaluates problems in the absence of the Supervisor and solves those that are possible. Communicates problems with the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director as appropriate. Participates in an extensive administrative call rotation with the other supervisory staff (only for Tissue Typing Laboratory).
- COMPETENCY. Assists supervisory personnel in the observation and documentation of laboratory staff competency. Completes all assigned duties within the required time frame.
- OPERATIONS. All duties of a Medical Technologist. Ensures that instrument maintenance and/or function checks are performed and documented accurately, according to procedure. Troubleshoots instrument malfunctions and informs the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director of problems. Reviews QC logs. Documents and brings to the attention of the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director any errors, omissions or discrepancies in QC. Compiles QA data and prepares reports as directed by the Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director. Monitors proficiency testing activity and assists the Director with evaluation of results and documentation of responses to deficiencies. Assists the Laboratory Supervisor or Manager with staff scheduling as directed.
- SERVE AS A ROLE MODEL. Maintains confidentiality regarding patient, hospital and laboratory business. Interacts professionally with other departments. Represents the Laboratory on Hospital committees as needed. Adheres to abnormal and/or critical results reporting policy and turn-around-time policy. Participates in and monitors quality assurance indicators. Adheres to personal appearance standards and displays hospital ID badge. Telephone / Internet privileges are followed according to policy. Complies with attendance and tardiness policy. Helps to monitor subordinate attendance and tardiness. Adheres to the compliance policy and serves as a resource for subordinate questions. Adheres to all safety policies as outlined in the Laboratory Safety Manual.
- PURCHASING AND INVENTORY. Demonstrates awareness of appropriate inventory levels in all relevant sections of the laboratory. Takes action to prevent supply shortages or overages. Performs purchasing of supplies in the absence of the Laboratory Supervisor or Manager as directed.
- TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION. New procedures are mastered within established time frames. Demonstrates awareness of changes in procedures and protocols. Performs orientation and training assignments in an organized, thorough manner. Serves as a resource to other employees by sharing knowledge of procedures or testing outcomes when consulted. Develops, performs and/or evaluates special projects. Performs test evaluations and validations of new procedures and/or reagent systems. Formulates, authors and/or revises procedures according to CLSI guidelines. Prepares and delivers student lectures and bench instruction where relevant
- Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university AND successful completion of an accredited Medical Lab Scientist program
- OR Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university with a major in biological, chemical, or clinical laboratory science AND ASCP or equivalent categorical or MLT certification
-
OR Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university with a major in biological, chemical, physical, or clinical laboratory science AND at least three years' experience in a role equivalent to that of a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) in a clinical laboratory.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
ASCP or equivalent certification in medical technology (MT) or categorical certification preferred. Certification as a Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) by the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI) preferred (only for HLA Laboratory).
- Act 34
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
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Entry Level Laboratory Lead Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level laboratory lead job?
Start by highlighting any hands-on lab experience from coursework, internships, or volunteer research projects, since employers at this level prioritize demonstrated technical skills over years on the job. Familiarity with standard lab safety protocols, basic instrumentation, and quality documentation gives candidates a clear edge. Tailoring your resume to show attention to detail and any team coordination experience, even in an academic setting, strengthens your application.
Which companies hire entry level laboratory leads?
Companies hiring entry level laboratory leads right now include UPMC, HonorHealth, and Astera Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a mix of research institutions, manufacturing facilities, healthcare organizations, and diagnostics companies that build their lab teams by developing junior talent from the ground up.
Are there remote entry level laboratory lead jobs?
Yes, though most laboratory lead roles require an on-site presence due to the hands-on nature of lab work. About 0% of entry level laboratory lead openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to involve data review, documentation coordination, or quality assurance tasks that can be performed off-site rather than direct bench work.
Are these new grad laboratory lead jobs?
Yes, many of these postings are new grad and junior roles that explicitly welcome candidates with little or no professional experience. A new grad-friendly posting typically accepts zero to two years of experience, counts internships or co-ops toward that threshold, and treats a strong academic or portfolio record as equivalent to work history. Recent graduates and career changers entering lab environments will find openings structured around training rather than assuming prior independence.
Which industries hire the most entry level laboratory leads?
Entry level laboratory lead roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Those sectors drive hiring at this level because they maintain active testing, research, and quality-control pipelines that depend on developing junior lab professionals rather than exclusively recruiting experienced candidates.