Medical Technician I - Specimen Processing - Evenings

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston (TX)

On-site

USD 38,000 - 57,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a Medical Technician 1 for the Specimen Processing department. The role focuses on accessioning and preparing specimens for clinical testing, maintaining accurate documentation, and coordinating workflow to support timely patient care in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

You will operate instruments, perform standard QC and calibration, manage supplies, and assist in training staff while ensuring safety and compliance in a structured

Qualifications

High School Diploma or Equivalent is required.
Preferred: Bachelor's Degree Basic Science.

Responsibilities

Accession and evaluate cases or specimens.
Document special handling requirements and cancellations as needed.
Prepare complex slide and specimen setups for clinical testing.
Prepare reagents and sterile supplies for processing.
Cut and grind tissue specimens as required.
Aliquot specimens into transport containers and maintain storage conditions.
Generate manifests and ensure orders and specimens are accounted for.

Education

HS Diploma or Equivalent

Bachelor's Degree Basic Science

Job description

The Specimen Processing department at MD Anderson Cancer Center plays a critical role in ensuring patient specimens are accurately received, prepared, documented, and routed for laboratory testing. This work is foundational to the diagnostic process, requiring careful attention to specimen identification, handling requirements, documentation, and workflow coordination.

This Medical Technician 1 position offers the opportunity to work in a hands-on, fast-paced laboratory environment where accuracy and organization directly support timely patient care. The role is well suited for someone who is detail-oriented, dependable, comfortable following established procedures, and interested in developing technical laboratory skills.

In this role, you will perform a variety of accessioning and specimen processing responsibilities, including evaluating and accessioning cases, identifying specimens requiring special handling, documenting unacceptable specimens, and preparing complex slide and specimen setups for clinical testing. You will also prepare reagents and sterile supplies, cut and grind tissue specimens when required, and prepare specimens for shipment to reference laboratories.

A key responsibility will be ensuring that specimens sent to reference laboratories are properly evaluated, approved, prepared, and documented. You will aliquot specimens into appropriate transport containers, maintain required storage conditions, generate manifests, and ensure that specimens and corresponding orders are accurately accounted for.

You will also operate and maintain laboratory instrumentation and equipment, performing standard service, quality control, and calibration procedures while troubleshooting common equipment issues. Maintaining appropriate inventory levels, keeping the workstation clean and organized, and restocking supplies will help ensure the next work shift has everything needed to maintain efficient operations.

Strong customer service and communication skills are also important. You will interact with internal and external customers, follow telephone courtesy standards, and remain professional and cooperative in varying circumstances. The ability to remain calm and willing to assist during challenging or crisis situations is particularly important in a busy clinical laboratory environment.

The position also provides opportunities to train employees, students, and fellows on established processes while following structured training checklists. This makes the role a good fit for someone who enjoys sharing knowledge and contributing to the development of others.

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, organized, dependable, safety-conscious, and comfortable working in a structured laboratory environment. Candidates who enjoy hands-on work, maintaining accurate records, following precise procedures, and contributing to a team that supports timely and accurate patient testing will find this opportunity especially rewarding.

MD Anderson offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including paid medical benefits, generous paid time off, retirement plans, tuition assistance, professional development opportunities, and additional benefits, along with the opportunity to build a rewarding career at one of the world's leading cancer centers while performing work that directly supports the diagnostic care of cancer patients.

The hours are Monday - Friday 2:30pm - 11pm with rotating weekend and holidays.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Accession/Specimen Processing

Evaluates and accessions cases or specimens
Documents and cases or specimens requiring special handling
Documents any unacceptable cases or specimens and performs cancellations as necessary.
Performs complex set-ups of slides/specimens for clinical testing.
Prepares any reagents required for slide/specimen processing.
Prepares any necessary sterile supplies or reagents.
Cuts and grinds tissue specimens as necessary for processing procedures.
Evaluate samples requiring performance by a reference laboratory
If necessary, obtain appropriate approvals before sending samples to reference laboratory
Prepare and/or aliquot specimens into appropriate transport containers and store in the appropriate transport conditions until pick up by courier.
Generate manifest for reference laboratory specimens and ensure all specimens and orders are accounted for.

Instrumentation/Equipment

Operates instrumentation/equipment according to specific protocols
Is able to perform and document standard service, quality control, and/or calibration procedures.
Is able to troubleshoot and resolve common instrumentation/equipment problems.

Inventory

Performs inventory of supplies/reagents according to departmental procedures.
Maintains a clean and organized workstation
Restocks consumable items as necessary to ensure enough to support the next work shift.

Customer Service

Complies with the section telephone courtesy policies and procedures
Demonstrate cooperation when working with both internal and external customers.
Demonstrates calmness under varying environmental circumstances.
Remains willing and capable of assisting in crisis situations.

Training

Train other employees, students, and/or fellows as needed
Follow established checklists during the training period

Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION

Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Preferred: Bachelor's Degree Basic science.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required: 3 years In a clinical medical laboratory or similar setting or with preferred degree, no experience required.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.