Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Impactful Diagnostics

Northwesternmedicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, IL seeks a Medical Laboratory Scientist to join our clinical lab team. You will perform tests, verify results, and communicate findings to physicians to support patient diagnosis and treatment.

You will handle pre-analytic workflows, specimen verification, and post-analytic reporting while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include analytical testing, instrument QC, troubleshooting, specimen preparation, and timely result turnaround in

Responsibilities

• Pre-analytic workflow: ensure orders entered correctly; specimens appropriate and properly processed.
• Verify orders when needed.
• Check non-patient information (e.g., collection time) per protocol.
• Handle unresolved orders; troubleshoot.
• Coordinate LIS order entry with physicians/nurses to resolve ambiguities.
• Verify specimens for add-on tests and generate orders.
• Identify fraud/compliance issues affecting test orders.
• Verify labeling upon receipt; evaluate specimens; document issues.
• Prioritize specimen processing per priorities.
• Aliquot specimens per protocol.
• Perform analytical testing per SOPs.
• Maintain instrument QC and preventive maintenance.
• Verify reagents/supplies meet criteria; remove unacceptable items.
• Ensure sufficient reagents for testing; alert when low.
• Record and perform QC; take corrective actions.
• Prepare specimens for testing (pretest prep).
• Transfer/ship specimens per SOPs.
• Prioritize tests; meet turnaround times; adjust for STAT.
• Follow age-specific testing protocols as needed.
• Adapt to workflow changes; coordinate multiple tests.
• Review results for completeness and consistency; interpret results.
• Recognize unusual results; perform reflex testing as needed.
• Follow notification protocols for critical results.
• Identify and address test-system performance problems.
• Escalate unresolved issues when needed.
• Print and follow up on pending tests.
• Store and retrieve specimens and related materials.
• Perform post-analytical workflow; ensure timely reporting.

Job description

Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, IL seeks a Medical Laboratory Scientist to join our clinical lab team. You will perform tests, verify results, and communicate findings to physicians to support patient diagnosis and treatment.

You will handle pre-analytic workflows, specimen verification, and post-analytic reporting while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include analytical testing, instrument QC, troubleshooting, specimen preparation, and timely result turnaround in