Laboratory Technician

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Laboratory Technician 
Job Title: Laboratory Technician IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: South Texas Laboratory 
Posting Number: 13029 
Closing Date: 02/04/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-A-17 
Salary Range: $4,316.62 - $4,920.95 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: HARLINGEN 
Job Location Address: 1301 S RANGERVILLE RD 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 18D,4T0X1,68A,68K,68S,68Z,HM,HN,HS 
 
 
 

Brief job description:

Works under limited supervision of a Mycobacteriology Team Lead (Technical Supervisor/General Supervisor) and Laboratory Mycobacteriology/Emergency Preparedness Manager IV (Technical Consultant) with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  Work involves cleaning of laboratory glassware, preparation of 7H10 and 7H11 medias, buffers, sterilization procedures, and sterilization of contaminated biohazard materials prior to disposal. Aids technical personnel with labeling of prepared media, cleaning and maintenance of laboratory equipment, such as sterilizers, glassware washer, water bath, etc.  Review, interpret, and reports ATTEST results to monitor sterilizer performance. Assists in receiving and accessioning Mycobacteriology specimens. Inputs Mycobacteriology smear and susceptibility results onto LIMS LabWare. Performs monthly and biannual supply inventory for Glassware, Sterilization, and Media Prep Sections. Coordinates cross-training for media preparation and sterilization procedures. Coordinates technical support activities, such as medical waste pickup and preventative maintenance (PM) and service calls of sterilizers and glassware washer.  Maintain equipment records of sterilizers, glassware washer, and DI tank PM and service calls.  Performs monthly test of Emergency Shower and documentation. Practice all safety and emergency procedures, also adheres to universal precautions by using personal protective equipment adequately in performing job duties.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EJF 1. (35%) EJF 1. Operates and maintains sterilizers. Performs sterilization of contaminated bio-hazard material prior to proper disposal.  Follows all safety precautions in regard to operation of equipment and contaminated materials.  Adheres to universal precautions and uses personal protective equipment adequately in performing job duties. Performs ATTEST and reviews, interpret, and report ATTEST results to monitor sterilizer performance on a weekly basis; troubleshoot and correct if test results are out-of-range.

EJF 2. (30%) EJF 2.  Cleans and sterilizes laboratory glassware. Performs Detergent Residue Test; troubleshoots any out of range results.  Prepares and sterilizes 7H11 and 7H10 for Agar Susceptibilities, buffers, and other water solutions used in the Mycobacteriology Section.  Inoculates lyophilized drugs into 7H10 media used for drug agar susceptibility plates. Pours 7H11 plated media and 7H10 Agar Susceptibilities plated media, labels, and helps put away prepared media and any sterilized solutions.

EJF 3. (10%) EJF 3. Maintains an efficient and high quality department by ordering Glassware/Sterilization/Media Prep supplies in a timely manner. Cleans and maintains laboratory equipment, such as sterilizers, water bath, glassware washer, incubators, and refrigerators.  Performs monthly and biannual inventory of supplies for Glassware, Sterilization, and Media Prep Sections. Performs monthly test of Emergency Shower.

EJF 4. (10%) EJF 4. Coordinates technical support activities, such as medical waste pickup and disposal by Stericycle, preventive maintenance of sterilizers and glassware washer by Getinge, and DI tank service calls to Culligan Water. Maintain equipment records of sterilizers, glassware washer, and DI tank PM and service calls. Prepares yearly DI water sample for send out testing. Coordinates media prep and sterilization cross-training.

EJF 5. (10%) Maintains and performs periodic review of Media Prep and Sterilization Procedures in MediaLab.  Assists in receiving and accessioning Mycobacteriology specimens.  Inputs Mycobacteriology smear and susceptibility test results onto LIMS LabWare computer system from TB worksheets reported by Microbiologists.  Provide customer service to mycobacteriology submitters by printing and faxing reports, as needed.

EJF 6. (5%) Other duties as assigned include but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.  Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Safe operation of either a state owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Licensure, Certification or Registration:

Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver's license, or equivalent license from another state.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of Glassware standards and glassware cleaning procedures.

Knowledge of sterilization techniques and principles required in the performance of microbiological laboratory methods.

Knowledge of usage of computer programs, such as Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and spreadsheets or other computer software for inventory reports, data reports, procedures, and special projects.

Knowledge of Laboratory Information Systems, to include data entry, sample processing, receiving, result reporting and troubleshooting.

Skills in the utilization of microbiology equipment and systems which include balance, water baths, hot plates, sterilizers, reagent refrigerators, and incubators.

Ability to perform ATTEST and reviews, interpret, and report ATTEST results to monitor sterilizer performance.

Ability to provide customer service to mycobacteriology submitters by printing and faxing reports.

Ability to maintain inventory of reagent, consumables, and supplies for media prep, glassware, and sterilizer. 

Ability to prepare and sterilize media, buffers, and other water solutions used in the Mycobacteriology section.

Ability to follow oral and written directions and work well with others.

Ability to plan and prioritize assignments.

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Preferred to have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution and 6 months of clinical lab experience; or have earned an associate’s degree in a clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.  
2. Work experience in Health Care Facility using Personal Protective equipment and documentation of equipment maintenance checks.
3. Experience with Laboratory Information System data entry.
4. Experience with cleaning glassware
5. Experience with  autoclaves for the sterilization of contaminated materials
6. Experience preparing media and labeling media.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form