Clinical Lab Assistant-Central Specimen Receiving, Full-time Night Shift

Northwestern Medicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Clinical Lab Assistant I to support the main lab operations in Chicago. The role involves specimen reception, data entry in LIS, coordinating with staff, and ensuring timely processing of tests under supervision.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma and may have phlebotomy or basic lab experience. The position is full-time with an overnight schedule and weekend/holiday rotation, offering exposure to a busy lab environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Preferred one year of general lab, specimen processing, or phlebotomy experience.
• Ability to follow procedures and work under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with lab staff and departments to ensure patient care.
• Receive specimens into LIS and input/retrieve results.
• Register specimen drop-offs in LIS, ensuring accurate data entry.
• Distribute specimens to testing areas and log actions.
• Perform waived testing under direction as applicable.
• Communicate rejections or critical results to clinicians and document.
• Coordinate courier pickups and handle phone triage for the lab.
• May perform phlebotomy and related collections as required.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Laboratory procedures

Communication skills

Data entry

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

LIS (Laboratory Information System)

Epic

Job description

Description

The Clinical Lab Assistant I reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Scheduling:

This position is regularly scheduled to work full-time, 40 hours weekly, on the overnight shift. Shift times are subject to change based upon departmental/patient care needs. However, this position is currently anticipated to work from 10pm-6:30am. There is also a weekend and holiday rotation associated with this role.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the main lab staff, other ancillary departments, departments, nurses and providers to ensure excellent patient care.


• Receives specimens into the laboratory information system.


• Inputs and retrieves lab results in laboratory or hospital computer system.


• Register specimen dropoffs (e.g. Home health) in LIS assuring accurate data entry.


• Distributes specimens to the appropriate testing area.


• Identifies and solves problems utilizing appropriate resources with the assistance of a supervisor, manager, pathologist and/or coworkers when appropriate.


• Accurately performs waived testing under the direction of CLS as applicable


• Ensures appropriate sample type received for testing ordered, including appropriate container, volume.


• Communicates specimen rejections, critical/notifiable results to appropriate clinical personnel and completes required documentation.


• May review/record refrigerator temperature(s) and QC/QA records. Areas of concern are recorded through the Corrective Action Log and reported to maintenance for repair.


• Adheres to lab procedures with following up on outstanding orders including time-sensitive draws/charges


• Pull AP slides for second opinion requests and log material back into Epic when material is returned


• Answers phone calls to the laboratory and triages appropriately


• Coordinates courier pickups as needed.

Department Specific:

• May perform phlebotomy and other lab specimen collections per age related standards as required

Qualifications

Required:

• High School Diploma

Preferred:

• 1 year of experience in a general lab, specimen processing or phlebotomy department

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.