Lab Technician

General Statement of Duties

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; flexibility for occasional evenings or weekends to meet the agency’s needs

Position Summary

Performs specimen collection, laboratory support, clerical, and technical-assistance duties in a local public health setting. Supports timely, accurate, and confidential testing services by collecting and processing specimens; preparing materials for testing or referral; maintaining laboratory supplies and records; and following applicable safety, quality-control, infection-prevention, and privacy requirements.

The Medical Laboratory Assistant II works under the supervision of a qualified laboratory supervisor and performs only those testing-related duties authorized by applicable policies, certification requirements, and the laboratory’s CLIA complexity classification.

Essential Duties and Tasks

Clinical and Environmental Laboratory Testing

• Greets, identifies, and prepares clients for specimen collection and laboratory services using approved patient-identification procedures.
• Collects, labels, processes, and transports specimens, including venipuncture and capillary blood specimens, urine, swabs, and other specimens within training and scope of practice.
• Explains collection procedures, provides basic client instructions, and responds professionally to routine questions.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to adverse reactions during specimen collection, including fainting, bleeding, or anxiety; seeks clinical assistance as needed.
• Maintains client privacy, dignity, and confidentiality throughout all encounters.

Quality, Safety, and Compliance

• Follows laboratory policies and procedures related to CLIA, OSHA, bloodborne pathogens, infection prevention, biomedical waste, and chemical hygiene.
• Performs and documents routine quality control, temperature monitoring, equipment checks, cleaning, and preventive maintenance as assigned.
• Maintains clean, orderly, and properly stocked collection and laboratory work areas.
• Uses personal protective equipment and follows exposure-control procedures.
• Reports safety hazards, spills, equipment malfunctions, quality concerns, and potential exposure incidents promptly.
• Protects protected health information in accordance with HIPAA, agency policy, and applicable North Carolina requirements.

Records, Inventory, and Administrative Support

• Enters, retrieves, and updates client, specimen, testing, billing, and referral information in electronic health record, laboratory information, or public health reporting systems.
• Maintains laboratory logs, temperature records, quality-control records, inventory records, and other required documentation.
• Monitors inventory levels; receives, stores, rotates, and disposes of laboratory supplies and reagents according to policy and expiration requirements.
• Assists with preparation for laboratory inspections, audits, proficiency testing, and quality-improvement activities.

Teamwork and Public Health Support

• Works collaboratively with nurses, providers, laboratory staff, disease-intervention staff, and administrative personnel.
• Assists during public health clinics, outreach events, emergency response activities, or communicable-disease response efforts when assigned.
• Participates in required training, competency assessments, staff meetings, and continuous quality-improvement activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laboratory standards, testing techniques, and diagnostic values.
• Ability to recognize abnormal test results and follow established reporting procedures.
• Skill in accurately transcribing results and maintaining required documentation.
• Knowledge of proper specimen collection, handling, storage, and safety procedures.
• Ability to operate laboratory instruments and equipment with precision.
• Effective communication skills for interactions with clients, staff, consultants, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain focus, attention to detail, and high levels of accuracy during testing procedures.

Consequence of Error:

• Errors in specimen collection, testing, or documentation may result in incorrect diagnosis or treatment, potentially causing harm to clients and exposing the agency to legal or regulatory risk. Accuracy is essential to protect safety, ensure correct treatment, and maintain compliance with public health standards.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in clinical laboratory settings within either office location.
• Occasional travel within the community to support public health activities.
• Frequent standing, bending, leaning, and manual dexterity required for phlebotomy and laboratory testing.
• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious materials, and environmental conditions.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and transport equipment and supplies as needed.
• Requires visual, cognitive, and manual skills necessary for accurate testing and documentation.

Desirable Education and Experience

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution, OR

• Completion of a certified laboratory assistant course in medical technology, OR

• Completion of a comparable course and one year of medical laboratory experience, OR

• High School or General Educational Development diploma and three years of medical laboratory experience, OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a public health department laboratory
• Experience with specimen handling, collection, and chain-of-custody procedures
• Experience with environmental or water testing
• Knowledge of CLIA regulations, quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing
• Experience using an electronic health record (HER) for lab documentation
• Familiarity with state public health lab procedures
• Bilingual (primarily English/Spanish)

Licensure/Certification/Other Requirements:

• Certification by ASCP or equivalent
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license
• Participation in workshops or seminars to remain current with emerging laboratory practices and technology