Medical Laboratory Technologist II/NBS Medical Laboratory Technologist II

Health & Human Services; North Carolina; On-site; USD 62,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technologist II (S) to perform high‑complexity newborn screening testing in the NCSLPH Newborn Screening Unit. You will work with HPLC, IEF, fluoroimmunoassay, and enzyme immunoassay platforms to ensure accurate results.

Responsibilities include pre‑analytical and analytical testing, instrument maintenance, and using LIMS to record and report patient data, while following SOPs and QA procedures in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory technology or related biological science and two years of lab experience.
• Experience with newborn screening assays using HPLC, FIA and IEF preferred.
• Strong data integrity, QA, and detailed documentation required.

Responsibilities

• Perform newborn screening assays for multiple conditions using dried blood spots and whole blood.
• Conduct all phases of laboratory testing in accordance with SOPs.
• Operate and maintain semi-automated and automated instruments (HPLC, IEF, FIA, EIA).
• Perform routine instrument maintenance and troubleshoot issues to ensure continuity.
• Use LIMS to enter, retrieve, validate, and report patient results.
• Apply proper pipetting techniques and handle infectious materials per safety requirements.
• Follow quality management practices and maintain test validity documentation.
• Interpret data and escalate findings according to protocols.

Skills

Attention to detail

Quality assurance

Data integrity

Documentation

Pre-analytical tasks

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Technology or related biological science

Associate's degree in medical technology or related field

Certified laboratory assistant course or equivalent

Tools

HPLC

Isoelectric Focusing (IEF)

Fluoroimmunoassay analyzers

Enzyme immunoassay systems

LIMS

Job description

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Public Health Job Classification Title Medical Laboratory Technologist II (S) Position Number 60041407 Grade MH16

About Us The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well‑being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Medical Laboratory Technologist II performs high‑complexity testing within the Fluoroimmunoassay and Hemoglobinopathy Laboratory of the Newborn Screening Unit to support accurate identification of life‑threatening disorders in newborns across North Carolina. The position carries responsibility for all phases of laboratory testing—pre‑analytical, analytical, post‑analytical, and general laboratory processes—using established SOPs and quality assurance protocols to ensure reliable results. Work involves operating semi‑automated and automated instrumentation, performing routine instrument maintenance, and utilizing the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to record, retrieve, and report patient results. The role functions within a highly regulated public health laboratory environment focused on producing timely, accurate test results used to guide early diagnosis and treatment.

Key Duties

• Perform newborn screening assays to detect hemoglobinopathies, cystic fibrosis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital hypothyroidism, galactosemia, and biotinidase deficiency using dried blood spot and whole blood specimens.
• Conduct all phases of laboratory testing, including specimen preparation, analytical testing, and verification of results in accordance with SOPs.
• Operate semi‑automated and automated laboratory instruments, including HPLC, IEF electrophoresis platforms, fluoroimmunoassay analyzers, and enzyme immunoassay systems.
• Perform routine instrument maintenance and troubleshoot equipment or assay issues to maintain testing continuity and accuracy.
• Utilize the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to enter, retrieve, validate, and report patient results.
• Apply proper pipetting techniques and operate automated dried blood spot punchers to prepare specimens for analysis.
• Follow comprehensive quality management practices, including monitoring quality controls and maintaining documentation that supports test validity.
• Interpret laboratory data and elevate findings or inconsistencies according to established protocols.
• Conduct work safely by handling potentially infectious materials in compliance with laboratory safety requirements.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $62,044.00 - $102,371.00 Recruitment Range: $62,044.00 - $64,472.00 Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: Demonstrated expert‑level experience performing high‑complexity newborn screening assays using methodologies such as HPLC, isoelectric focusing, fluoroimmunoassay, and enzyme immunoassay to generate accurate diagnostic results. Proven proficiency (intermediate to expert) operating semi‑automated and automated laboratory instrumentation, including routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting to ensure continuous and reliable analytical performance. Documented success using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to record, retrieve, validate, and report patient test results with precision and adherence to established data integrity standards. Extensive experience applying standardized laboratory procedures and quality assurance protocols, including daily quality control monitoring and detailed documentation practices to support valid newborn screening outcomes. Demonstrated skill performing pre‑analytical and analytical specimen preparation tasks, including pipetting techniques and operation of automated dried blood spot punchers, to maintain accuracy throughout all phases of the testing process.

Additional Requirements

Employees In This Position Must Be Capable Of Meeting The Federal CLIA ’88 Personnel Requirements Of Testing Personnel In A Laboratory Performing High Complexity Testing. Applicants Must Attach Copies Of Their Transcript(s) And / Or Certification(s) To Be Considered For The Position.

Physical Requirements

Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH)

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH)

The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) provides an array of services including Laboratory Testing, Training/Consultation and Certification. The NCSLPH provides more than 125 clinical laboratory tests and more than 65 environmental laboratory tests to the public and private medical health care system in North Carolina and performs over 6 million tests annually on human, animal, food, water, and agricultural samples. Additionally, NCSLPH provides training and consultation for local health departments, hospitals, commercial laboratories, private health care professionals, community based organizations and state and regional staff from the NC Division of Public Health (DPH) and other state and regional agencies. A staff of over 200 employees make up the organization units which include Administration, Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP), Chemical Terrorism and Threat, Environmental Sciences, Laboratory Improvement, Molecular Diagnostics & Epidemiology, Sequencing and Bioinformatics Response (SABR), Newborn Screening, Microbiology, and Virology/Serology and is co-located with the Office of Chief Medical in a 220,000‑sq. ft. state of the art facility. The NCSLPH has several doctoral level managers and research scientists as well as medical laboratory specialists, medical technologists, chemists, laboratory technicians, and support staff. The Newborn Screening (NBS) Unit provides timely and accurate testing to help identify newborns at risk for conditions on the state’s newborn screening panel. Organizationally, this unit consists of three functional entities: Fluoroimmunoassy-SC (FIA-Hgb) Laboratory, Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) Laboratory, and the Molecular Laboratory.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health

We are in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.

220,000 square feet state‑of‑the‑art facility

Plentiful Free Parking

Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers

Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC‑Chapel Hill, Duke)

Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities

Weekly Food Trucks

Car Cleaning and Detailing Services

On-site bimonthly Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families

Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling

Library of academic journals and materials on‑site

Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities

NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs

State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits Compensation and Benefits: The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high‑quality, low‑cost benefits on a pre‑tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for‘State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer‘ that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal‘ laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/. DHHS uses the Merit‑Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second‑chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice‑involved.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory technology, chemistry or a biological science from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in a medical laboratory in the assigned area OR Associate's degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of medical laboratory experience OR Completion of a certified laboratory assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of medical laboratory experience OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.