How to hire a genetic technologist

How to hire a genetic technologist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step genetic technologist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a genetic technologist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new genetic technologist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a genetic technologist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect genetic technologist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents genetic technologist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Genetic Technologist	Description	Hourly rate
   Genetic Technologist	Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.	$16-37
   Laboratory Coordinator	A laboratory coordinator is responsible for supporting laboratory examinations and experiments, collecting laboratory samples, and ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory tools and equipment. Laboratory coordinators maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the laboratory facility at all times to avoid contaminations and hazards that may affect laboratory results and accuracy of examinations... Show more	$18-34
   Clinical Laboratory Scientist Internship	A clinical laboratory scientist intern is responsible for assisting scientists in conducting laboratory experiments and investigations for clinical studies and research trials. Clinical laboratory scientist interns perform administrative duties, such as writing reports, monitoring inventories, and collecting resources for experiments... Show more	$11-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Laboratory Procedures
   • Clinical Laboratory
   • Lab Equipment
   • GEL Electrophoresis
   • RNA
   • Electrophoresis
   • Extraction
   • Molecular Biology
   • Proficiency Testing
   • OSHA
   • Spectrophotometry
   • Sanger Sequencing
   • Next-Generation Sequencing
   • Clinical Samples

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and maintain Tecan for automate pipetting.
   • Work on researching new lab machinery and techniques for DNA extraction.
   • Seed preparation and extraction, loading protein gels, preparation of chemical substances, staining gels
   • Assign to work as a laboratory generalist, performing duties on all laboratory departments including histology and phlebotomy.
   • Satisfy daily patient schedule by efficiently practicing phlebotomy and assist with physician bone marrow biopsy procedures when need.
   • Provide clinical personnel with identification of pathogens & susceptibilities to antibiotics in order to facilitate diagnosis & treatment.

   More genetic technologist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the genetic technologist job description is a good way to get more applicants. A genetic technologist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a genetic technologist in Mississippi may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level genetic technologist. Additionally, a genetic technologist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average genetic technologist salary

   $52,561yearly

   $25.27 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level genetic technologist salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

   Average genetic technologist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$58,826	$28
   2	California	$53,734	$26
   3	California	$53,733	$26
   4	Illinois	$50,091	$24
   5	Ohio	$49,788	$24
   6	Pennsylvania	$49,633	$24
   7	Texas	$48,359	$23
   8	Georgia	$42,554	$20
   9	Georgia	$42,546	$20

   Average genetic technologist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	California Institute of Technology	$69,922	$33.62
   2	University of Illinois Springfield	$61,805	$29.71	3
   3	Emory University	$56,392	$27.11	42
   4	Kaiser Permanente	$56,103	$26.97	212
   5	UPMC	$48,213	$23.18	148
   6	Baylor College of Medicine	$46,734	$22.47
   7	Nationwide Children's Hospital	$41,680	$20.04	11

4. Writing a genetic technologist job description

   A genetic technologist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a genetic technologist job description:

   Genetic technologist job description example

   **Type of Requisition:** Regular
   
   **Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:** None
   
   **Public Trust/Other Required:** NACLC (T3)
   
   **Job Family:** Scientists
   
   GDIT is hiring a Molecular Genetics Technologist to support clinical trials/ medical research located at Travis Air Force Base in CA.
   
   The Molecular Genetics Technologist will be responsible for:
   
   + Conducting laboratory examinations for clinical trials and medical research.
   
   + Collecting laboratory samples and document scientific findings to support claims and initial theories.
   
   + Utilize various advanced laboratory equipment and machinery.
   
   + Work with chemical solutions and sensitive samples, resulting in strict compliance and adherence to safety protocols and regulations.
   
   **What You'll Need:**
   
   + Bachelor of Science in either clinical laboratory science, genetics, molecular genetic technology, biology, or related field.
   
   + 1-3 years or more of relevant experience.
   
   + ASCP certified in Molecular Genetics (CLSp MB).
   
   + Must be familiar with lateral flow assays and ELISA testing.
   
   + Tech Work with all types of Molecular Biology techniques including: ELISA, DNA and RNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Reverse Transcriptase PCR, Southern and Western Blotting, Gel Electrophoresis, Restriction Enzyme Digest, Capillary Electrophoresis, Sanger Sequencing, Probe Hybridization, Bead Capture Technology, and Microarray Technology.
   
   + Able to read, write, and speak English fluently in order to effectively communicate with all personnel eligible for medical care and the staff of the military medical treatment facility (MTF).
   
   + Proficient with office equipment (e.g., computers, multi-line telephone system, voicemail, facsimile, copier, printers), as well as business software for word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, database management, and email communications. This includes, but is not limited to, Microsoft Office 2003 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
   
   **What Would Be Even Better:**
   
   + MS degree in genetics or related field.
   
   **Skills & Attributes for Success:**
   
   + Sufficient initiative, interpersonal relationship skills and social sensitivity such that they can relate constructively to a variety of patients and staff from diverse backgrounds.
   
   + Excellent time management and communication skills; able to work in a team environment and concurrently support several active clinical research projects.
   
   **\#GDITFedHealthJobs**
   
   **\#MilitaryHealthGDITJobs**
   
   **\#GDITLabScienceJobs**
   
   **\#GDITClinicalResearchJobs**
   
   COVID-19 Vaccination: GDIT does not have a vaccination mandate applicable to all employees. To protect the health and safety of its employees and to comply with customer requirements, however, GDIT may require employees in certain positions to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination requirements will depend on the status of the federal contractor mandate and customer site requirements.
   
   We are GDIT. The people supporting some of the most complex government, defense, and intelligence projects across the country. We deliver. Bringing the expertise needed to understand and advance critical missions. We transform. Shifting the ways clients invest in, integrate, and innovate technology solutions. We ensure today is safe and tomorrow is smarter. We are there. On the ground, beside our clients, in the lab, and everywhere in between. Offering the technology transformations, strategy, and mission services needed to get the job done.
   
   GDIT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right genetic technologist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with genetic technologists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit genetic technologists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your genetic technologist job on Zippia to find and recruit genetic technologist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with genetic technologist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new genetic technologist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the genetic technologist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new genetic technologist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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