Specimen Processing Technician

Arts In Wilmington; Chapel Hill (NC); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician (S) to join the Central Accessioning Unit of the State Laboratory of Public Health in Chapel Hill. You will perform pre-analytical processing, ensure regulatory compliance, and accurately accession specimens using Lab Web Portal and LIMS.

You will monitor workflow, document discrepancies, and support quality practices under CLIA and SLPH standards.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in medical technology or certified lab assistant training, OR equivalent education/experience.
• Two years of medical laboratory experience may substitute for formal degree.
• Experience meeting CLIA/S LPH guidelines and high-throughput requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily Central Accessioning tasks to prioritize specimens by turnaround times.
• Monitor Lab Web Portal and LIMS to ensure correct progression through processing steps.
• Verify specimen acceptability and accurately accession high-volume specimens for multiple tests.
• Document discrepancies and coordinate with providers and couriers to maintain data integrity.
• Operate and troubleshoot pre-analytical instruments including label printers and bulk-loaders.
• Follow PPE and SOPs to ensure compliant pre-analytical workflows.
• Engage in training and quality improvement activities aligned with CLIA and SLPH practices.

Skills

High-volume intake

Lab Web Portal

LIMS

PPE compliance

SOP adherence

Data integrity

Education

Associate's degree in medical technology

Medical laboratory experience

Tools

Lab Web Portal

LIMS

Label printers

Automated bulk-loaders

Job description

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Public Health Job Classification Title Medical Laboratory Technician (S) Position Number 60041257 Grade MH06

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

This position serves as a Specimen Processing Technician within the Central Accessioning Unit of the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, performing routine, standardized pre‑analytical tasks for clinical and environmental specimens submitted for testing. The technician ensures specimens meet regulatory requirements and NCSLPH acceptance guidelines and accurately accession them using both the Lab Web Portal—an online system used for submitting, tracking, and accessing laboratory test requests and results and LIMS, the internal system used to manage sample data, testing workflows, and reporting within the laboratory. The Specimen Processing Technician supports timely and accurate documentation by monitoring specimen movement in these systems and communicating with internal units and submitters to maintain efficient workflow. The position functions under supervision in a structured laboratory environment and performs work aligned with the Medical Laboratory Technician role, emphasizing standardized procedures and quality expectations in pre‑analytical operations.

Key Duties

• Perform daily Central Accessioning receiving tasks to prioritize specimens according to required turnaround times and advance them through pre‑analytical steps.
• Monitor unit logs using the Lab Web Portal and LIMS to confirm all received specimens move to the next processing stage in a timely manner.
• Check specimen acceptability against established requirements and accurately accession high‑volume specimens for multiple tests.
• Document specimen discrepancies and communicate with providers, clinical staff, and couriers to resolve issues and maintain data integrity.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and perform basic maintenance on pre‑analytical instruments, including label printers and automated bulk‑loaders.
• Follow PPE requirements, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures to ensure compliant pre‑analytical workflows.
• Participate in training sessions and support quality improvement activities consistent with CLIA and SLPH quality practices.
• Collaborate with clerical/data entry, customer service, mailroom/receiving, and laboratory units to maintain accurate specimen routing and efficient operations.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and properly stocked work area to support continuous unit throughput and readiness.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities / Management Preferences

Salary Range: $39,435.00 - $59,154.00 Recruitment Range: $39,435.00 - $39,435.00

• Expertise managing high‑volume specimen intake workflows using the Lab Web Portal and LIMS, consistently tracking, routing, and advancing specimens to meet required turnaround times.
• Documented skills in troubleshooting and maintenance experience on pre‑analytical instruments—including label printers and automated bulk‑loaders—to minimize processing delays and sustain continuous unit operations.
• Demonstrated accuracy evaluating specimen acceptability against regulatory and NCSLPH acceptance guidelines, with reliable accessioning of multiple test types in a high‑throughput environment.
• Experience adhering to PPE requirements, safety protocols, and established SOPs, with documented participation in quality improvement activities aligned to CLIA and SLPH quality practices.
• Proven effectiveness documenting and resolving specimen discrepancies through direct communication with providers, clinical staff, and couriers, maintaining data integrity and seamless pre‑analytical workflow.

REPOST - Previous Applicants Do Not Need To Reapply In Order To Be Considered For This Vacancy 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

Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negotiable amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time. This position involves repetitious tasks and tasks requiring manual dexterity.

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 North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH)

The State Laboratory of Public Health (SLPH), we provide medical and environmental laboratory services such as testing, consultation, and training, to public and private health provider organizations responsible for the promotion, protection, and assurance of the health of North Carolina citizens. SLPH serves the entire state as a reference laboratory for difficult, unusual, or otherwise unavailable laboratory procedures and assist in the development, evaluation, and standardization of medical and environmental laboratory testing procedures. We provide training and consultation to improve and assure quality services in other laboratories and certify milk and water laboratories and milk analysts. We test for Acanthamoeba to Zika and everything in between! Visit our website at http://slph.ncpublichealth.com to learn more.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health

• 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, health care 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. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

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.

Minimum Education and Experience

Associate’s degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution or completion of a certified laboratory assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course from an accredited institution OR High school or General Educational Development diploma and two years of medical laboratory experience OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.