Medical Technologist Trainee

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Medical Technologist Trainee 
Job Title: Medical Technologist Trainee 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Laboratory Svs 
Posting Number: 7058 
Closing Date: 09/09/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-E-T02 
Salary Range: $600.00 - $1,998.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location: Austin State Hospital 
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4110 GUADALUPE 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 68C/D/W, HM, 870, 4T0X1, 43TX 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

Professional trainees in Medical Laboratory Science receive twelve (12) months of intensive personal instruction by experienced Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists). Instruction incorporates both didactic lecture series and laboratory clinical rotations. Trainees rotate through the following departments: Hematology, Coagulation, and Phlebotomy (11 weeks), Clinical Chemistry (13 weeks), Urinalysis (3 weeks), Microbiology (12 weeks), Immunohematology (7 weeks), and Immunology/Serology (3 weeks).

Practical examinations are given in each clinical rotation and periodic written examinations are given during the clinical rotations and lecture series. Upon satisfactory completion of all rotations, the professional trainee is qualified to sit for the national Board of Certification exam in Medical Laboratory Science.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Essential movement requirements for the Medical Laboratory Science trainee:

Operate laboratory instruments and calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit laboratory information using a computer keyboard.

Essential communication requirements for the Medical Laboratory Science trainee.

Read and comprehend technical and professional materials including, but not limited to, textbooks, magazine and journal articles, handbooks, and instruction manuals.

Follow verbal and written instructions in order to correctly and independently perform laboratory test procedures.

Clearly instruct patients prior to specimen collection.

Effectively, confidentially and sensitively converse with patients regarding laboratory tests.

Communicate with faculty members, fellow students, staff and other health care professionals verbally and in multiple formats, e.g., handwritten, typed or printed, graphic or telecommunications based.

Independently prepare papers, prepare laboratory reports, and take paper, computer and laboratory practical examinations.

Essential Intellectual Requirements for the Medical Laboratory Science trainee.

Possess these intellectual skills: comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculation, reasoning, integration, analysis, comparison, self-expression, and criticism.

Exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations.

Essential Behavioral Requirements for the Medical Laboratory Science trainee.

Manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints.

Follow all hospital policies regarding time and attendance.

Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect and exercise appropriate judgment.

Provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of task related uncertainty, emergent demands, and a distracting environment.

Be flexible and creative and adapt to professional and technical change.

Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations and proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to patients, self, and nearby individuals.

Other Essential Requirements for the Medical Laboratory Science trainee.

Adapt to working with biohazardous substances.

Support and promote the activities of fellow students and of health care professionals.

Be honest, compassionate, ethical, and responsible.

Other duties as assigned, including 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Baccalaureate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science: Completion of all prerequisite academic courses (90-100 semester hours), as outlined in the Medical Laboratory Science degree program at each affiliated university. Students from an affiliated university will receive thirty (30) semester credit hours upon completion of the MLS program.

-OR-

Baccalaureate Degree in related science with a minimum of 16 semester hours of biological sciences (including courses in immunology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, molecular biology and microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (including organic/biochemistry), and one semester of statistics. Other course work can be substituted for required courses if deemed equivalent by the Program Director.

-OR-

Foreign Baccalaureate Degree: Must submit a transcript evaluation verifying U.S. baccalaureate degree equivalency. Baccalaureate Degree in related science with a minimum of 16 semester hours of biological sciences (including courses in immunology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, molecular biology and microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (including organic/biochemistry), and one semester of statistics.

Professional Trainees should be:

• Fluent in written and spoken English

• In good health and highly motivated

• Be able to discriminate between colors

• Possess manual dexterity

• Possess good near vision

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Must have required prerequisite course work for enrollment into the Medical Laboratory Science Program. Upon successful completion of the training program be granted a baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science from an affiliated university or have already obtained a baccalaureate degree prior to entry into the program.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. Vaccines may be provided. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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 to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.