OPT Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
Medical Laboratory Technician jobs on OPT require employers comfortable sponsoring STEM-eligible roles. MLT positions often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when tied to a relevant degree in clinical laboratory science or a related field. Most hiring happens through hospital networks, reference labs, and diagnostic companies.
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Summary:
The Medical Laboratory Technician II performs complex clinical testing in assigned section/s such as general laboratory, Blood Bank, and Microbiology sections, with all duties necessary for accurate and timely results including quality control, performance improvement, proficiency testing, and preventative maintenance of equipment. Associates in this job recognize abnormal critical values and follow proper guidelines for notifying medical team members of results. Performs clerical, general, and phlebotomy duties related to daily operations in the laboratory. Provides/dispenses blood products as requested by medical staff.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Specimen Collection/Handling/Processing– obtains blood specimens via venipuncture and/or fingerstick, accurately identifies and labels appropriately; answers pneumatic tube system; follows procedures for processing and testing specimens, including operating various centrifuges; obtains other designated patient specimens as listed in procedure manuals.
- Result Reporting – recognizes errors or improbable results and takes appropriate action; reports critical values per Policy and Procedure; performs tests within established timeframe; performs laboratory testing, if designated, in the following sections: Hematology, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Chemistry, Special Chemistry, ER Stat Lab, and Microbiology; performs blood bank procedures, including crossmatching, ab id’s, and dispensing of blood products; operates laboratory automated analyzers according to established procedures.
- Performs, analyzes, and records QC according to Policy & Procedure following CLIA, CAP, AABB, and JCAHO guidelines; performs and records Performance Improvement indicators and reports results.
- Performs established daily and periodic preventative maintenance with documentation; troubleshoots minor problems and initiates service calls as needed; orders (or notifies assigned associate) and restocks supplies/reagents; reviews policy & procedure manual; dates reagents and discards expired reagents.
- Takes responsibility for seeking and achieving professional growth and continued education.
- Assists in training new associates and students in Laboratory practices.
- Follows CAP, AABB, Compliance, CLIA, JCAHO, and OSHA standards.
- Follows established protocols for safety, infection control, security, compliance, and the use of hazardous materials.
- Utilizes LIS and HIS computer systems appropriately to perform, charge, and report laboratory results.
- Completes annual competency assessment successfully and by assigned date.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
-
Associate degree or higher in clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution or equivalent laboratory training and experience meeting the requirements defined in the CLIA regulation 42CFR493.1489:
-
Successfully completed an official U.S. military medical laboratory procedures training course of at least 50 weeks duration and currently hold the military enlisted occupational specialty of medical laboratory specialist (laboratory technician);
OR
- 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, includes either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that include six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology or medical laboratory technology in any combination;
AND
- Laboratory training including either completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, NAACLS, or other organization approved by HHS (note that this training may be included in the 60 semester hours listed above), or at least three months documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.
Experience
- No experience required for graduates of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by NAACLS, or other organizations approved by HHS.
OR
- Six Months of approved clinical laboratory experience, which must include a clinical rotation through the following sections of the laboratory: Blood Banking, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Hematology, Immunology, and Urinalysis/Body Fluids in the U.S. or with an accredited laboratory within the last 5 years. (This meets the AMT MLT eligibility requirement)
AND
- less than 5 years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT).
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- MLT from ASCP, AMT, AAB, or HEW/HHS required.
- If certification with an expiration date is held, the certification must be maintained and kept current.
- Louisiana requires State Licensure.
- New Graduate that is Board Certified or eligible (must complete Board Certification within 1 year of hire, Louisiana excluded).
Work Schedule:
5 Days - 8 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
Description
Summary:
The Medical Laboratory Technician II performs complex clinical testing in assigned section/s such as general laboratory, Blood Bank, and Microbiology sections, with all duties necessary for accurate and timely results including quality control, performance improvement, proficiency testing, and preventative maintenance of equipment. Associates in this job recognize abnormal critical values and follow proper guidelines for notifying medical team members of results. Performs clerical, general, and phlebotomy duties related to daily operations in the laboratory. Provides/dispenses blood products as requested by medical staff.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Specimen Collection/Handling/Processing– obtains blood specimens via venipuncture and/or fingerstick, accurately identifies and labels appropriately; answers pneumatic tube system; follows procedures for processing and testing specimens, including operating various centrifuges; obtains other designated patient specimens as listed in procedure manuals.
- Result Reporting – recognizes errors or improbable results and takes appropriate action; reports critical values per Policy and Procedure; performs tests within established timeframe; performs laboratory testing, if designated, in the following sections: Hematology, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Chemistry, Special Chemistry, ER Stat Lab, and Microbiology; performs blood bank procedures, including crossmatching, ab id’s, and dispensing of blood products; operates laboratory automated analyzers according to established procedures.
- Performs, analyzes, and records QC according to Policy & Procedure following CLIA, CAP, AABB, and JCAHO guidelines; performs and records Performance Improvement indicators and reports results.
- Performs established daily and periodic preventative maintenance with documentation; troubleshoots minor problems and initiates service calls as needed; orders (or notifies assigned associate) and restocks supplies/reagents; reviews policy & procedure manual; dates reagents and discards expired reagents.
- Takes responsibility for seeking and achieving professional growth and continued education.
- Assists in training new associates and students in Laboratory practices.
- Follows CAP, AABB, Compliance, CLIA, JCAHO, and OSHA standards.
- Follows established protocols for safety, infection control, security, compliance, and the use of hazardous materials.
- Utilizes LIS and HIS computer systems appropriately to perform, charge, and report laboratory results.
- Completes annual competency assessment successfully and by assigned date.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
-
Associate degree or higher in clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution or equivalent laboratory training and experience meeting the requirements defined in the CLIA regulation 42CFR493.1489:
-
Successfully completed an official U.S. military medical laboratory procedures training course of at least 50 weeks duration and currently hold the military enlisted occupational specialty of medical laboratory specialist (laboratory technician);
OR
- 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, includes either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that include six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology or medical laboratory technology in any combination;
AND
- Laboratory training including either completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, NAACLS, or other organization approved by HHS (note that this training may be included in the 60 semester hours listed above), or at least three months documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.
Experience
- No experience required for graduates of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by NAACLS, or other organizations approved by HHS.
OR
- Six Months of approved clinical laboratory experience, which must include a clinical rotation through the following sections of the laboratory: Blood Banking, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Hematology, Immunology, and Urinalysis/Body Fluids in the U.S. or with an accredited laboratory within the last 5 years. (This meets the AMT MLT eligibility requirement)
AND
- less than 5 years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT).
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- MLT from ASCP, AMT, AAB, or HEW/HHS required.
- If certification with an expiration date is held, the certification must be maintained and kept current.
- Louisiana requires State Licensure.
- New Graduate that is Board Certified or eligible (must complete Board Certification within 1 year of hire, Louisiana excluded).
Work Schedule:
5 Days - 8 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Medical Laboratory Technician
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, and biology degrees commonly appear on the STEM OPT designated degree list. Verify your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying, so you can confidently tell employers you're eligible for 24 months of additional work authorization.
Target hospital systems and large reference labs
Large employers like hospital networks and national reference laboratories have established HR processes for work authorization. They sponsor OPT more reliably than small independent clinics, which often lack the infrastructure to navigate employment verification and immigration compliance requirements.
Highlight ASCP or AMT certification progress
Many employers require or strongly prefer ASCP Board of Certification credentials. Mentioning that you're exam-eligible or already certified signals professional readiness and reduces perceived risk for sponsors who worry about hiring someone still building clinical qualifications.
Address OPT proactively in your cover letter
State your OPT start date, expiration, and STEM extension eligibility upfront. Hiring managers in healthcare often confuse OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship. A clear, one-paragraph explanation prevents your application from being filtered out before a recruiter reads your credentials.
Apply during hospital budget cycles
Hospital hiring tends to cluster around the start of fiscal years, typically October and January. Submitting applications in the months before these windows improves your chances of landing interviews when departments have approved headcount and are actively authorized to hire.
Emphasize compliance and accuracy in your resume
MLT roles are regulated environments where documentation errors carry real consequences. Framing your experience around quality control, CAP or CLIA compliance, and result accuracy addresses the specific hiring concerns that come up in laboratory settings, especially for candidates still on temporary work authorization.
Medical Laboratory Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Medical Laboratory Technician jobs typically qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
MLT roles can qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code, such as clinical laboratory science or a related biological science field. The extension is tied to your degree, not the job title itself, so verify your CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility. Your employer must also participate in E-Verify.
How do I find MLT employers willing to hire OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, which saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering authorization issues late in the process. Hospital systems, national reference laboratories, and large diagnostic companies are the most consistent sponsors. Smaller independent labs and physician-owned clinics are less likely to have established OPT hiring processes.
Can I work as a Medical Laboratory Technician on pre-completion OPT?
Yes, pre-completion OPT allows you to work part-time during your program or full-time during official breaks. However, most MLT positions require full-time availability due to shift scheduling and training commitments, so post-completion OPT is the more practical authorization period for this role. Any pre-completion hours used reduce your post-completion OPT time dollar-for-dollar.
Does an MLT role count as work in my field of study for OPT compliance?
Yes, as long as your degree is in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory technology, biology, or a closely related field. SEVP requires that OPT employment be directly related to your major area of study. If your degree is in an unrelated field, the role may not satisfy OPT requirements, which creates a compliance risk you should discuss with your DSO before accepting an offer.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my MLT employer loses accreditation or closes?
Your OPT authorization is tied to maintaining employment in your field, not to a specific employer. If your employer closes or loses accreditation, you have a 90-day unemployment buffer during your OPT period to find a new qualifying position. Report the job change to your DSO promptly and update your SEVIS record. Extended gaps beyond 90 days total risk your OPT status.