LABORATORY SAFETY COORDINATOR

Cook County Government; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Laboratory Safety Coordinator at Cook County Health & Hospitals System is responsible for developing, supporting, and maintaining the Laboratory Safety Program across Stroger and Provident hospital laboratories, ensuring CAP and Joint Commission readiness.

The role conducts safety audits, delivers new hire safety training, updates safety policies, and analyzes audit data to drive continuous improvement in laboratory safety; works with lab leadership on regulatory readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university (Must provide official transcripts at time of interview).
• ASCP or AMT MT/MLS/MLT certification (Must provide proof at time of interview).
• Three years of work experience in a hospital, healthcare, or clinical laboratory setting.
• Two years of experience applying laboratory safety, regulatory, accreditation, or quality standards.
• Experience developing policies and procedures related to laboratory safety.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains the Cook County Health Laboratory Safety Program.
• Collaborates with laboratory leadership to support CAP, Joint Commission, and other standards.
• Performs monthly laboratory safety audits; minimum three audits per department annually.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for laboratory department Environment of Care rounding.
• Maintains hazardous chemical inventories and proper storage, labeling, and disposal.
• Participates in PDCA activities to improve laboratory safety and address non-compliance.
• Collaborates to investigate safety concerns and process issues.
• Reviews and updates laboratory safety policies and procedures.
• Reviews and updates education modules for Laboratory Management.
• Identifies performance deviations and monitors remedial actions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Laboratory safety

Regulatory compliance

Policy development

Auditing

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

ASCP/AMT MT/MLS/MLT certification

Three years hospital/healthcare/lab experience

Two years safety standards experience

Policy/procedure development experience

Job description

LABORATORY SAFETY COORDINATOR

Job Description - LABORATORY SAFETY COORDINATOR (00139570)

Job Number

00139570

Job Posting

Sep 22, 2026, 3:12:34 PM

Closing Date

Oct 7, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

Full-time Shift Start Time

7:00 A.M.

Shift End Time

3:00 P.M.

Organization

Health and Hospital Systems

Department

Clinical & Anatomical Services - Administration

Shift

7:00am - 3:00pm

Salary

*Salary is commensurate with years of experience indicated at time of application submittal. Experience not disclosed or documented at the time of application will not be considered for initial step placement.*

Job Summary

The Laboratory Safety Coordinator is responsible for developing, supporting, and maintaining the Cook County Health Laboratory Safety Program. This position supports compliance with College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, and other applicable laboratory safety standards through safety audits, new hire safety training, laboratory safety education, policy review, and regulatory readiness activities. The Laboratory Safety Coordinator collects and analyzes audit data related to safety practices and supports corrective action efforts to ensure continued compliance with laboratory regulatory safety standards.

Typical Duties

Develops and maintains the CCH Laboratory Safety Program, including compliant safe work practices for pathology and laboratory medicine departments at Stroger and Provident hospital laboratories.

Collaborates with laboratory leadership to support compliance with College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, and other applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

Performs monthly laboratory safety audits and ensures at least three audits are completed per laboratory department annually. Submits completed safety audits to the Clinical Laboratory Quality Manager.

Serves as the subject matter expert for laboratory department Environment of Care (EOC) rounding.

Maintains hazardous chemical inventories and ensures appropriate storage, use, labeling, and disposal of chemicals.

Participates in Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) activities to support continuous improvement related to laboratory safety, audit findings, and identified areas of non-compliance.

Collaborates with laboratory management to investigate process issues, safety concerns, and barriers impacting safe laboratory practices.

Reviews, develops, and updates laboratory safety policies and procedures for review, approval, and implementation by Laboratory Management.

Reviews and updates laboratory safety education modules for review, approval, and implementation by Laboratory Management.

Identifies performance deviations and monitors remedial actions related to laboratory safety.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university (Must provide official transcripts at time of interview).
• Certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) as a Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT). ( Must provide proof at time of interview)
• Three (3) years of work experience in a hospital, healthcare, or clinical laboratory setting is required.
• Two (2) years of experience applying laboratory safety, regulatory, accreditation, or quality standards is required.
• Experience developing policies and procedures related to laboratory safety is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of work experience in a hospital laboratory as a bench scientist.
• Experience supporting College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, or other laboratory accreditation surveys.
• Experience conducting safety audits, identifying corrective actions, and monitoring compliance with laboratory safety standards.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Knowledge of laboratory safety standards, regulatory requirements, and accreditation inspection practices.

Knowledge of College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission, and applicable laboratory safety requirements.

Knowledge of safe laboratory practices, including chemical handling, hazardous materials, personal protective equipment, and infection prevention procedures.

Knowledge of policy and procedure development, review, and implementation.

Proficiency using Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy.

Ability to collect, review, and analyze audit data related to laboratory safety and compliance.

Ability to identify safety concerns, performance deviations, and opportunities for process improvement.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively with laboratory leadership, staff, and interdisciplinary teams.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient-related and operational information in accordance with HIPAA requirements.

Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple assignments, and meet deadlines in a healthcare environment.

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: Personal protective equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, department specific engineering and work practice controls, and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position

Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”

Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note : If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11).

Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States’ territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.*

*Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.*

*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of county employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.*