Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Precision Diagnostics

Northwestern Medicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, IL seeks a Medical Laboratory Scientist to perform pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic testing in a clinical laboratory. The role emphasizes accurate specimen handling, order verification, and timely reporting of results to physicians.

The MLS will ensure QC, instrument maintenance, and compliance with SOPs, while maintaining safety and quality across all lab processes and collaborating with care teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), or equivalent certification examination.
• General MLS or MT (ASCP) Certification or eligible.
• Categorical BB, C, H or M (ASCP) Certification or eligible.
• If hired after 1/19/2025 must be ASCP certified (or equivalent certification) within one year of employment

Responsibilities

• Performs all aspects of pre-analytic workflow appropriate for the specific laboratory section to ensure orders are entered correctly, specimens collected are appropriate for the test ordered and are correctly processed/transported.
• Verifies order where necessary
• Verifies non-patient information (e.g., collection time) according to established protocol.
• Handles unresolved orders, troubleshoots where needed.
• Verifies with physicians and/or nurses prior to LIS order entry to resolve unclear, duplicate or ambiguous orders.
• Verifies specimens for add-on tests are available and acceptable and generates add-on test orders.
• Recognizes when fraud and abuse compliance issues require adjustments to the test order.
• Collecting, receiving and processing of specimens: verifies specimens are correctly labeled and documentation.
• Prioritizes specimen processing based on established priorities.
• Aliquots specimens according to established protocols.
• Performs all aspects of analytical testing according to SOP
• Maintains test system integrity: preventive maintenance and QC.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology

ASCP Certification eligibility

General MLS or MT (ASCP) Certification or eligible

Categorical BB, C, H or M (ASCP) Certification or eligible

ASCP certification within 1 year of employment (if hired after 1/19/2025)

Job description

Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, IL seeks a Medical Laboratory Scientist to perform pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic testing in a clinical laboratory. The role emphasizes accurate specimen handling, order verification, and timely reporting of results to physicians.

The MLS will ensure QC, instrument maintenance, and compliance with SOPs, while maintaining safety and quality across all lab processes and collaborating with care teams.