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Complex Specimen Processor Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Performs all routine and complex laboratory procedures in the assigned work area. * Recognizes and ... Prepares and processes specimens and demonstrates knowledge of specimen requirements and laboratory ...

Certified Nurse Aide-FTE Nights

Baytown, TX · On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

Performs and documents vital signs, measures and records intake and output, weights, specimen ... Demonstrates general computer skills including data entry, word processing, email, and records ...

Certified Nurse Aide-PRN-Days

Baytown, TX · On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

Performs and documents vital signs, measures and records intake and output, weights, specimen ... Demonstrates general computer skills including data entry, word processing, email, and records ...

Certified Nurse Aide-PRN-Days

Baytown, TX

$14 - $18.50/hr

Performs and documents vital signs, measures and records intake and output, weights, specimen ... Demonstrates general computer skills including data entry, word processing, email, and records ...

Certified Nurse Aide-FTE Nights

Baytown, TX · On-site

$14 - $18.50/hr

Performs and documents vital signs, measures and records intake and output, weights, specimen ... Demonstrates general computer skills including data entry, word processing, email, and records ...

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Complex Specimen Processor information

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How much do complex specimen processor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for complex specimen processor in Houston, TX is $17.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $17.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Complex Specimen Processor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Complex Specimen Processor, you need strong attention to detail, basic laboratory knowledge, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent, with some employers preferring experience in a clinical or laboratory setting. Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS), specimen tracking software, and standard lab equipment is essential. Excellent organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure specimen integrity, accurate processing, and timely workflow, which are critical for reliable laboratory results and patient care.

What are Complex Specimen Processors?

Complex Specimen Processors are laboratory professionals responsible for receiving, handling, and preparing biological samples—such as blood, tissue, or urine—for analysis and testing. They ensure that specimens are properly labeled, sorted, and processed according to strict protocols, often working with more challenging or specialized samples that require extra attention to detail. Their work is crucial for accurate diagnostic results and supports the efficiency and safety of the laboratory environment.

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Complex specimen processors typically do not earn $300,000 annually; such high salaries are usually associated with executive roles, specialized medical professionals, or highly experienced specialists in fields like healthcare, law, or finance. Most laboratory or processing roles have lower salary ranges, but advanced positions with additional certifications or management responsibilities can reach higher six-figure incomes.

What is the difference between Complex Specimen Processor vs Medical Laboratory Technician?

AspectComplex Specimen ProcessorMedical Laboratory Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma, specialized training, certification often preferredAssociate degree in medical laboratory technology, certification required
Work EnvironmentLaboratory settings, processing specimensLaboratory, performing tests and analyzing samples
Job ResponsibilitiesPreparing and processing complex specimens, ensuring sample integrityPerforming tests, analyzing results, maintaining lab equipment

While both roles work in laboratory environments, Complex Specimen Processors focus on preparing and processing complex specimens, often requiring specialized training. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform a broader range of testing and analysis, with formal education and certification. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in medical labs.

What is the highest paying laboratory job?

In laboratory settings, senior roles such as Laboratory Directors or Medical Laboratory Managers tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and certification, and they oversee laboratory operations and compliance, leading to higher compensation compared to other laboratory roles like Complex Specimen Processors.

What is a complex specimen processor?

A complex specimen processor is a laboratory professional responsible for preparing and processing challenging or unusual biological samples for testing. This role often requires knowledge of laboratory procedures, attention to detail, and familiarity with specialized equipment and safety protocols.

What are some common challenges faced by Complex Specimen Processors, and how can they be addressed?

Complex Specimen Processors often encounter challenges such as managing high sample volumes, ensuring precise labeling, and maintaining strict chain-of-custody procedures. To address these challenges, it is essential to stay organized, double-check specimen identification, and follow standardized protocols meticulously. Working closely with laboratory technicians and communicating effectively with team members can help prevent errors and ensure timely processing. Additionally, staying up-to-date with laboratory information systems and safety procedures can further streamline workflow and support accuracy.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Complex Specimen Processor typically earns less than $10,000 per month, as this role usually offers moderate wages. High-paying jobs that can reach $10,000 monthly without a degree often include specialized trades like commercial pilot, real estate broker, or sales manager, which require experience, certifications, or licenses rather than a traditional degree.
What are popular job titles related to Complex Specimen Processor jobs in Houston, TX? For Complex Specimen Processor jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Complex Specimen Processor jobs in Houston, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Complex Specimen Processor jobs in Houston, TX are:
What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Complex Specimen Processor jobs? Cities near Houston, TX with the most Complex Specimen Processor job openings:
Infographic showing various Complex Specimen Processor job openings in Houston, TX as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,788 per year, or $17.2 per hour.
Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist - Blood Bank - Nights

Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist - Blood Bank - Nights

MD Anderson

Houston, TX

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


MD Anderson Cancer Center rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 164 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 872 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Join the MD Anderson Cancer Center Blood Bank team and become part of a laboratory that plays a critical role in supporting complex transfusion services for one of the world's leading cancer centers. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced Medical Laboratory Scientist who enjoys working in a highly specialized environment where technical expertise, quality, and patient safety are essential to delivering exceptional care. The Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist serves as an experienced laboratory professional within the Blood Bank, performing complex testing and serving as a resource to colleagues, students, and trainees.

Responsibilities include performing and reviewing blood bank testing, ensuring quality control and regulatory compliance, troubleshooting instrumentation, maintaining laboratory equipment, and accurately analyzing and reporting patient results. This role also supports laboratory operations through inventory management, process improvement initiatives, and adherence to CAP, CLIA, and institutional standards. The ideal candidate will possess strong blood bank and transfusion medicine experience, excellent critical thinking skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced clinical laboratory environment.

Candidates should be comfortable troubleshooting complex laboratory issues, evaluating test results, maintaining regulatory compliance, and supporting continuous quality improvement efforts. Experience mentoring, training, and coaching laboratory staff is highly desirable, as this role plays an important part in developing future laboratory professionals and supporting ongoing staff competency. In addition to technical responsibilities, this position serves as a valuable resource for laboratory personnel and internal customers by providing excellent customer service, assisting with problem resolution, supporting implementation and validation of new methodologies and technologies, and helping maintain efficient laboratory operations.

Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills are essential for success. At MD Anderson Cancer Center, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside world-class clinicians and laboratory professionals while supporting lifesaving patient care. MD Anderson offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, generous paid time off, retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, tuition assistance, and the opportunity to build a rewarding career at one of the nation's most respected healthcare institutions.

The ideal candidate will have blood bank experience and be AMT or ASCP certified JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES Performs all laboratory testing specific to the assigned section. - Remains knowledgeable and competent for all policies, procedures and protocols. - Ensures and verifies quality control data is appropriate for the complexity of the reported tests.

- Troubleshoots and maintains laboratory equipment. - Maintains competency in computer functions in assigned areas. - Follows section's inventory control system to assure effective use of supplies and reagents.

- Completes, verifies and reports testing in timely manner. - Complies with safety guidelines and procedures and adheres to regulatory mandates. - Remains responsible and accountable for all actions.

Enhances productivity and laboratory lab functions by demonstrating dependability. - Adjusts, prioritizes, and organizes work to achieve maximum productivity to meet the workload demands of the section. - Assists peers and supervisors with tasks after completion of assigned work.

- Adheres to attendance policy, begins work as scheduled. - Works independently, utilizes resources available to maximize efficiency. Assists in the development of laboratory personnel and tests, to enhance laboratory functions.

- Actively participates in training students, employees and fellows. - Participates in process improvement projects. - Validates and evaluates new methodologies and tests with the help of Laboratory Supervisor and technical support.

- Validates database for new software or new tests implemented in the laboratory. - Coaches and mentors' students and employees. Customer Service - Manages all customer service interactions with diplomacy, actively facilitating resolutions to problems and addressing the needs of clients both internal and external.

Computer Skills - Maintains proficiency in computer functions in the lab processes. - Properly acquires specimen data into computer system(s). - Analyzes and evaluates patient results correctly and appropriately.

- Stores patient information and results to allow easy future access as required. Other duties as assigned Education Required: Associate's Degree in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology OR Bachelor's Degree in a related science field or Molecular Genetic Technology OR Successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) accredited Clinical Laboratory Science/Molecular Genetic Technology accredited program Preferred: Master's Degree in a related science field Doctorate in a related science field Work Experience Required: 6 years of clinical laboratory experience with an Associate's Degree in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology OR 5 years of clinical laboratory experience with a Bachelor's Degree in a related science field OR 4 years of clinical laboratory experience with completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredited Clinical Laboratory Science/Molecular Genetic Technology accredited program OR 2 years of required experience with a Master's Degree OR With a Doctorate degree, no experience required Licenses and Certifications Preferred (upon hire): ASCP - American Society of Clinical Pathologist Technologist/Scientist/Specialist certification OR CHS - Certified Histocompatibility Specialist, American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ACHI) OR CHT - Certified Histocompatibility Technologist, American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ACHI) OR MDT - Molecular Diagnostics Tech, American Medical Technologists (AMT) OR MT - Medical Technologist, American Medical Technologists (AMT) The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition. This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening

The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html Additional Information Requisition ID: 181179 Employment Status: Full-Time Employee Status: Regular Work Week: Nights Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 77,500 Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 97,000 Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 116,500 FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay Fund Type: Hard Work Location: Onsite Pivotal Position: No Referral Bonus Available?: Yes Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes #LI-Onsite Apply


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