Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in South Dakota
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in South Dakota are steadily in demand, concentrated in hospital systems, reference laboratories, and public health facilities, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior generalist and specialty lead. The most active hiring is in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, where employers like Sanford Health, Monument Health, and Avera Health consistently recruit across their networks. Blood banking, microbiology, and clinical chemistry are the specialties drawing the most consistent interest from South Dakota labs. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs











Location:
Worker Type:
RegularWork Shift:
Primarily days with rotating weekends and holidays (United States of America)Pay Range:
The pay range for this position is listed below. Actual pay rate dependent upon experience.
$24.00 - $44.00Position Highlights
MLT's may be eligible for a $10,000 sign on bonus with a 2-year commitment.
MLS's may be eligible for a $15,000 sign on bonus with a 3-year commitment.
MLS Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- Bachelor's Transcript showing Medical or clinical Laboratory Scientist degree, or a related chemical, physical or biological degree or
- Bachelor's Transcript showing Medical Technology degree
- MLS - American Medical Technologists (AMT) within 1 Year or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) within 1 Year MLS
MLT Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- Associate's Transcript showing Medical Laboratory Technology degree or
- Technical Certificate Transcript showing Medical Laboratory Technology degree
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) within 1 Year or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) within 1 Year
You Belong at Avera
Be part of a multidisciplinary team built with compassion and the goal of Moving Health Forward for you and our patients. Work where you matter.
A Brief Overview
Performs a variety of clinical laboratory tests, procedures and related duties. Utilizes scientific principles as well as technical, procedural, and problem-solving aptitudes for day-to-day laboratory technical operations, quality control, quality assurance, procedure/instrument maintenance and corrective action, test result correlation, and clinical laboratory related continuing education.
What you will do
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of laboratory instrumentation or disciplines including but not limited to: supply inventory, quality control, calibration, reagent preparation, etc. Initiates and follows through with corrective action, prioritizes and manages effective workflow.
- Accurately performs basic to complex clinical laboratory testing utilizing theoretical knowledge and independent judgment in addition to established procedure, protocol, techniques and/or manufacturer guidelines.
- Communicates laboratory data and pertinent technical information to appropriate departments, healthcare providers, and individuals in an accurate and timely fashion. Includes verbal as well as electronic means.
- Critiques, correlates and differentiates results of testing utilizing theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, and independent judgment.
- Assesses the validity of results which appear usual, or which may differ significantly from previous results or expected values and take appropriate corrective action as necessary.
- Obtains samples from patients for diagnostic testing using proper pre-analytical specimen collection, specimen handling, transport and storage guidelines for blood and body fluids.
- Organizes/prioritizes workload for the most efficient turnaround times for testing.
- Participates with the orientation and training for new staff and students.
- Participates in any special projects/functions as determined by management staff.
Essential Qualifications
The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.
Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- Bachelor's Transcript showing Medical Laboratory Science degree or
- Bachelor's Transcript showing Medical Technology degree
- MLS - American Medical Technologists (AMT) within 1 Year or
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) within 1 Year or
- Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) within 1 Year
Expectations and Standards
- Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.
- Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
- Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
- Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.
Benefits You Need & Then Some
Avera is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying part-time and full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.
PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement
Career development guided by hands-on training and mentorship
Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to talent@avera.org.
See All 13 Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in South Dakota
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Find JobsMedical Laboratory Scientist Jobs by City in South Dakota
Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Medical Laboratory Scientist Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in medical laboratory scientist jobs across South Dakota.
- Active South Dakota clinical laboratory license or eligibility through ASCP or AMT certification
- Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or a closely related clinical science
- ASCP Board of Certification as MLS or equivalent nationally recognized credential
- Demonstrated competency in high-complexity testing across core laboratory disciplines
- Experience with laboratory information systems and electronic health record integration
- Ability to work rotating shifts including evenings, weekends, and on-call coverage
Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a medical laboratory scientist in South Dakota?
To work as a medical laboratory scientist in South Dakota, you need a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or a related life science, followed by a clinical training program at an accredited institution. South Dakota does not maintain its own state licensure board for clinical laboratory scientists, so most employers require national certification through the ASCP Board of Certification as MLS or an equivalent credential from AMT. Completing a NAACLS-accredited program is the most direct path to meeting hiring requirements at Sanford Health, Avera Health, and Monument Health.
Which companies hire medical laboratory scientists in South Dakota?
South Dakota medical laboratory scientist roles are posted by Sanford Health, Avera Health, and MARSHALL COUNTY HEALTHCARE CENTER and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Sanford Health and Avera Health are the two largest healthcare networks in the state and together account for a substantial share of ongoing laboratory staffing needs across Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, and surrounding communities.
Which South Dakota cities have the most medical laboratory scientist jobs?
Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, and Vermillion see the most medical laboratory scientist openings in South Dakota. Sioux Falls generates the largest volume because it is home to the flagship campuses of both Sanford Health and Avera Health, while Rapid City's activity is anchored by Monument Health and its regional hospital network, and Aberdeen draws consistent openings from Avera St. Luke's and smaller regional facilities serving the northeastern part of the state.
Are there remote medical laboratory scientist jobs in South Dakota?
Yes, but they're rare. Medical laboratory scientist work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring physical presence to process specimens, operate analyzers, and perform high-complexity testing. About 0% of medical laboratory scientist openings tied to South Dakota are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions are typically limited to laboratory informatics, quality assurance review, or consulting roles that do not involve direct specimen handling.
How can I get hired as a medical laboratory scientist in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a clinical rotation or internship embedded in an accredited MLS program, then applying directly to new-graduate positions at Sanford Health or Avera Health, both of which onboard new graduates and provide structured competency training. Candidates who have worked as phlebotomists, medical laboratory technicians, or histology technicians have a strong edge because that bench experience transfers directly. Holding an ASCP MLS certification at the time of application, even without post-graduation work history, significantly improves your standing for entry-level generalist openings in South Dakota.
Where can I find and apply to medical laboratory scientist jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to medical laboratory scientist jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search for roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit. New listings are added regularly, so checking back frequently gives you the best view of what is currently available.
See All 13 Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in South Dakota
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