Job Description

Mission Cancer & Blood, part of UI Health Care is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician to perform venipuncture, VAD (port) access, PICC line and finger stick blood collection procedures to obtain specimens from patients for laboratory testing used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They are responsible for processing these specimens and performing moderate complexity and point of care testing in an accurate and timely manner, maintaining proper documentation and accurate recording of results. All testing is done in accordance with established policies and procedures and following CLIA requirements and regulations.

Duties to include:

Adhere to strict procedures and practice of safety precautions to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

Explain procedures to patients and family members in a professional and courteous manner.

Utilize standard procedures to determine positive patient identification.

Verify, complete, and resolve orders in the EMR (electronic medical record).

Complete lab requisition orders and produce appropriate labels for specimen tubes in the LIS (laboratory information system).

Obtain blood specimens from patients as required using established blood-drawing techniques.

Centrifuge appropriate tubes to obtain serum/plasma for testing.

Perform moderate complexity or point of care testing following standard operating policies and procedures.

Assist with collection, labeling, and transportation of other laboratory specimens as necessary.

Record results in accordance with established policies, procedures and regulations.

Perform various quality control procedures to maintain compliance with internal and external regulations.

Maintain inventory of supplies, materials and equipment.

Maintain and clean equipment and instruments as per established procedures and manufacturer’s instructions.

Perform calibrations and proficiency testing and calibration verification as required.

Maintain records and documentation for proficiency testing and to meet CLIA requirements and regulations.

Assist in bone marrow biopsy collections.

Perform all other duties as assigned.


Joining University of Iowa Health Care means becoming part of a world-class academic health system that offers a mission you can believe in, resources and support you need to excel, and a community where your impact is felt every day. We’re providing patient care with expertise and compassion, advancing groundbreaking research, and teaching and training tomorrow’s health care professionals. Together, we’re changing medicine and changing lives across Iowa and beyond.


Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, generous leave policies, 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to our UI Health Care specialists and care teams.


Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Enjoy a rich quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.


As part of the Hawkeye community, you’ll find a balance of career fulfillment and quality of life. Join us in working together to make all of Iowa better

Percent of Time: 100%

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 40 hours/ week, Hours generally worked between 7:00am-5:30pm

Location: Des Moines, IA Mission, Cancer & Blood

Pay Grade: 22 https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/guide-pay-plans

Benefits Highlights:

Position located in Des Moines, Iowa

Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans

For more information about Why Iowa?, click here

Required Qualification

A Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, biological, clinical laboratory science, or medical technology program from an accredited institution, or:

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or a categorical/specialist certification in the appropriate laboratory discipline or eligible from American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency (NCA), or:

Successfully completed an official US military medical laboratory procedures training course of at least 50 weeks duration and have held the military enlisted occupational specialty of Medical Laboratory Specialist (Laboratory Technician) is required.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Desirable Qualifications

Certification from American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency (NCA) as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) is highly desirable.

Phlebotomy experience preferred