Lab Technician

Lab Technician

Salary

$42,890.00 Annually

Location

Nashville, NC

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-00094

Department

Health Department

Opening Date

10/16/2026

Closing Date

10/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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

INSURANCE PROGRAMS

Nash County offers cafeteria-style benefits including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurances)
• Disability Insurance (Long-Term and Short-Term Disability)

and more!

FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

Retirement

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. Employees contribute 6% of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have 5 years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a 5% contribution based on monthly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 Deferred Compensation

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

Special Separation Allowance

The Separation Allowance is available to law enforcement officers between the ages of 55 and 62 years that are eligible and retire under the provisions of the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System.

125 Flexible Benefit Plan

Flexible Spending Account options are available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Convenience Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

• Health Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.
• Dependent Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is a condition of employment for all employees. Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.

LEAVE PROGRAMS

Vacation Leave

For regular full-time County employees, vacation leave accrues based on length of service in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated vacation leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit.

Sick Leave

For regular full-time County employees, sick leave accrues each pay-cycle. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

Holidays

The policy of the County is to follow the holiday schedule as published by the State of North Carolina each year.

The following holidays are observed:

• New Year's Day,
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and
• Three (3) days at Christmas.

Military Leave

Annual Training - Reserves and National Guard -Ten paid workdays per fiscal year.

Active Duty - Reserves and National Guard - Ten paid workdays upon activation.

Civil Leave

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

Family Medical Leave Act

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

Wellness Center and Telemedicine

We believe that staying healthy is inclusive of exercising regularly and taking care of your physical body. Nash County has a Wellness Center, which consists of various exercise equipment and videos, open to all full and part-time employees.

All full-time employees also have access to telemedicine through Teladoc. Teladoc treats conditions like allergies, sore throats, asthma, and more. Doctors are available by phone or video 24/7 from wherever you are. They are available to diagnose symptoms and send a prescription if needed.

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

The benefits offered by Nash County are subject to change. In the event there is a conflict between the above contents and Nash County policies and/or a State or Federal statute, the policy/statute shall control. Plan documents will govern benefits plans should there be a conflict with this information. They are not held out to any employee as part of any contractual agreement. Benefits, policies, and procedures are subject to change or termination at any time.

Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Actual provisions of each plan will be provided on the certificate of coverage as part of the Summary Plan description.

Nash County is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Provider

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).

Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDAs Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint filing cust.html and any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

01

Which best describes your level of education?

• No GED and no High School Diploma
• GED or High School Diploma
• Some college
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorates Degree

02

Did you graduate from a degree program in medical technology from an accredited institution?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you currently certified or eligible for certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician by one of the following: - The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) - American Board of Bioanalysis (AAB)

• No, I am eligible but not yet certified.
• No, I am not eligible.
• Yes, I am certified.

04

Do you have a valid NC drivers license?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of experience do you have working in a medical laboratory setting?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1-2 Years
• 2-3 Years
• 3-5 Years
• 5-7 Years
• 7-10 Years
• 10yrs +

06

Do you have experience performing quality control (QC), proficiency testing (PT), and equipment maintenance according to CLIA standards?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you able to work during public health emergencies or outbreak responses, if needed?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Nash County

Address 120 W. Washington Street

Nashville, North Carolina, 27856

Phone 252-459-9853

Website http://www.nashcountync.gov