Flow Cytometry Medical Lab Tech — Impactful Diagnostics

Northwestern Medicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician to perform pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic duties across the clinical laboratory. You will verify orders, process specimens, perform quality control, and ensure timely reporting of results to physicians.

The role requires an Associate degree and eligibility for ASCP certification within 1 year, with preferred 1 year of lab experience.

Qualifications

• Associates degree required; ASCP certification exam eligibility within 1 year.
• Preferred: 1 year of laboratory experience.

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. Informs senior staff of resolutions. Escalates promptly when unable to resolve.
• 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 and completely labeled upon receipt. Evaluates specimens for appropriateness and takes necessary corrective action.
• Appropriately documents unacceptable specimens and proper notifications as needed.
• Prioritizes specimen processing based on established priorities.
• Aliquots specimens according to established protocols.
• Performs all aspects of analytical testing appropriate for the specific laboratory section, following SOPs and protocols.
• Maintains test system integrity:
• Performs preventive maintenance on instruments/equipment as scheduled.
• Verifies reagents and supplies meet defined criteria; removes unacceptable items.
• Ensures sufficient reagents and supplies for test performance; notifies when inventory is low.
• Performs necessary QC and corrective actions.
• Performs specimen preparation and transfers to approved locations.
• Performs waived, moderate, and high complexity testing; prioritizes testing with defined TATs.
• Responds to age-specific protocol changes; adjusts workflow as needed (STAT tests).
• Monitors daily workflow to meet service levels.
• Performs review and interpretation per SOPs; correlates with patient data when needed.
• Recalls unusual results and performs reflex testing or follow-up actions.
• Follows notification protocols for critical values and result requests.
• Troubleshoots problems and escalates when needed.
• Prints pending logs and follows up on tests.

Education

Associates Degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the national ASCP certifying exam.

Job description

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician to perform pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic duties across the clinical laboratory. You will verify orders, process specimens, perform quality control, and ensure timely reporting of results to physicians.

The role requires an Associate degree and eligibility for ASCP certification within 1 year, with preferred 1 year of lab experience.