Job Description – Lab Coordinator, Molecular Department
Position Title
Lab Coordinator – Molecular Department
Department
Molecular Diagnostics
Reporting To
Laboratory Manager / Department Head
Location
Ahmedabad (Panjrapole)
Employment Type
Full-time
Job Summary
The Lab Coordinator – Molecular Department is responsible for coordinating and supporting the day-to-day operations of the molecular diagnostics laboratory. The role involves ensuring smooth workflow from sample receipt through testing and reporting, coordinating with laboratory staff and other departments, maintaining documentation and quality standards, monitoring inventory, and supporting compliance with laboratory policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate should have strong organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, and a good understanding of molecular laboratory processes.
Key Responsibilities
1. Laboratory Operations
- Coordinate daily activities and workflow within the Molecular Department.
- Ensure timely receipt, accessioning, processing, testing, and dispatch of samples.
- Monitor turnaround time (TAT) and coordinate with relevant teams to minimize delays.
- Ensure samples are properly identified, labeled, stored, and tracked throughout the testing process.
- Coordinate with technical staff to ensure smooth execution of molecular testing activities.
- Escalate technical, operational, or workflow-related issues to the appropriate authority.
2. Sample & Documentation Management
- Maintain accurate records of samples, worksheets, test runs, reports, and other laboratory documentation.
- Monitor sample status and ensure pending/failed/repeat samples are appropriately followed up.
- Ensure proper documentation of rejected, insufficient, or unsuitable samples.
- Maintain confidentiality and security of patient and laboratory information.
3. Quality & Compliance
- Support implementation and maintenance of the department's Quality Management System.
- Ensure adherence to approved SOPs, work instructions, safety procedures, and quality protocols.
- Assist with internal quality checks, audits, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
- Maintain records related to quality control, equipment maintenance, temperature monitoring, and other quality parameters.
- Support compliance with applicable laboratory accreditation and regulatory requirements.
4. Inventory & Procurement Coordination
- Monitor availability of reagents, consumables, kits, PPE, and other laboratory supplies.
- Maintain inventory records and monitor minimum/maximum stock levels.
- Coordinate with the procurement/stores team for timely replenishment.
- Monitor reagent lot numbers, expiry dates, and storage conditions.
- Ensure proper storage and handling of molecular diagnostic reagents and consumables.
5. Equipment Coordination
- Maintain records of equipment usage, preventive maintenance, calibration, and servicing.
- Coordinate with vendors/service engineers for equipment breakdowns and maintenance.
- Ensure equipment logs and relevant documentation are updated.
- Escalate equipment-related issues that may affect testing or TAT.
6. Team Coordination
- Coordinate daily work allocation and workflow among laboratory personnel.
- Facilitate communication between technical staff, reporting teams, sample collection teams, and other departments.
- Assist in onboarding and training of new staff on laboratory procedures and documentation.
- Monitor adherence to departmental procedures and escalate deviations when required.
7. Molecular Laboratory Support
- Support workflow related to molecular testing, including pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes.
- Coordinate activities involving nucleic acid extraction, PCR/RT-PCR, and other molecular diagnostic workflows, as applicable to the laboratory.
- Ensure appropriate segregation of work areas and adherence to contamination-control practices.
- Support monitoring and documentation of internal quality control and external quality assessment activities.
8. Reporting & MIS
- Prepare daily/weekly/monthly laboratory reports and operational MIS as required.
- Track sample volumes, TAT, pending samples, repeats, rejections, QC issues, and other key performance indicators.
- Provide relevant operational updates to the Laboratory Manager/Department Head.
- Maintain department-wise records for management review.
9. Safety & Biosafety
- Ensure compliance with laboratory safety, biosafety, biomedical waste management, and PPE requirements.
- Promote safe handling of biological specimens, reagents, and laboratory chemicals.
- Report incidents, accidents, spills, and safety concerns promptly.
- Support implementation of corrective actions related to safety incidents.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Technology, or a related life-science field.
- Relevant experience in a molecular diagnostics or clinical laboratory environment is preferred.
- Working knowledge of molecular diagnostic workflows such as PCR/RT-PCR and nucleic acid extraction is desirable.
- Knowledge of laboratory quality systems and documentation practices is preferred.
Experience
Preferred: 1–5 years of relevant experience in a molecular diagnostics, pathology, clinical laboratory, or research laboratory environment.
Candidates with strong laboratory coordination and documentation experience may also be considered based on qualifications.
Key Skills
- Laboratory workflow coordination
- Molecular diagnostics knowledge
- Sample tracking and documentation
- Inventory management
- Quality management and compliance
- SOP implementation
- Equipment coordination
- Team coordination
- MS Office / Excel and laboratory information systems
- Data management and reporting
- Problem-solving and escalation management
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- High attention to detail
Behavioral Competencies
- Strong ownership and accountability
- Attention to detail
- Ability to prioritize and multitask
- Team-oriented approach
- Effective communication
- Problem-solving mindset
- Ability to work under pressure
- Commitment to quality and patient safety
- Professional integrity and confidentiality
Working Conditions
- Work in a clinical/molecular laboratory environment.
- May require handling of biological specimens and laboratory reagents in accordance with approved safety procedures.
- May require rotational shifts or extended hours depending on laboratory operations.
Note: The responsibilities may be modified based on the organization's workflow, scope of molecular testing, accreditation requirements, and operational needs.
Work Location: In person
