Clinical Lab Assistant II - Specimen Receiving & Lab Support

Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Professional development

Wellbeing fund

401(k) matching

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Life insurance

Salary increase & incentive bonus

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine’s CLA II team in Chicago is seeking a Laboratory CLS to support specimen processing, testing and results reporting under CLS supervision. This role emphasizes receiving specimens, entering data into the LIS, and maintaining data accuracy with quality control practices.

We offer extensive benefits, including tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment and professional development, with competitive hourly wages and a strong Total Rewards package.

Qualifications

• Required: High School Diploma and at least 1 year of work experience in a general lab, specimen processing or phlebotomy area.
• Preferred: Phlebotomy Certification or training from an accredited school.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with main lab staff, ancillary departments, nurses and providers to ensure excellent patient care.
• Receive specimens into the laboratory information system (LIS).
• Input and retrieve lab results in LIS or hospital computer system.
• Register specimen dropoffs (e.g., home health) in LIS, ensuring accurate data entry.
• Process specimens for transport to reference laboratories and distribute to testing areas.
• Identify and solve problems with supervisor/manager/pathologist as needed.
• Verify instrument/test kit accuracy; perform quality control and troubleshooting.
• Operate and maintain laboratory automation systems as appropriate.
• Perform diagnostic/analytic testing; interpret and report results to provider.
• Perform waived/moderate complexity testing under CLS direction.
• Ensure correct testing is ordered and proper reference laboratory for referred specimens.
• Communicate rejections/critical results to appropriate clinical personnel; document accordingly.
• Monitor refrigerator temperatures and QA records; log corrective actions as needed.
• Adhere to lab procedures and follow up on outstanding orders; assist with time-sensitive draws/charges.
• Answer lab phones and triage appropriately; coordinate courier pickups as needed.

Education

High School Diploma

1 year lab experience or in education program

Phlebotomy training/certification (preferred)

Job description

Northwestern Medicine’s CLA II team in Chicago is seeking a Laboratory CLS to support specimen processing, testing and results reporting under CLS supervision. This role emphasizes receiving specimens, entering data into the LIS, and maintaining data accuracy with quality control practices.

We offer extensive benefits, including tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment and professional development, with competitive hourly wages and a strong Total Rewards package.