Medical Laboratory Scientist 3-27616

Rush University Medical Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 48,064 - 69,747; Full time

Job summary

Rush University Medical Center is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist 3 for the RML General Microbiology department in Chicago. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science and a minimum of five years of high‑complexity clinical laboratory experience.

MLS/MT/BB/chemistry/molecular biology qualifications are preferred. The position involves performing all assigned tests, mentoring staff, and ensuring timely, accurate reporting while adhering to Rush policies and safety

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant science required.
• Minimum of five years of high-complexity clinical laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform all assigned laboratory testing and reporting.
• Collaborate with team to meet deadlines and ensure quality patient care.
• Instruct students, residents and new employees; evaluate performance.
• Present case studies or in-services; participate in quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain clean, organized work area and proper PPE usage.
• Monitor QC, troubleshoot issues, and follow escalation procedures.
• Assist in inspection preparation and instrument/workflow improvements.
• Ensure accurate data transcription and timely result verification.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant science

Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) - ASCP

Medical Technologist (MT) - AMT

ASCP BB (Blood Bank)

ASCP C (Chemistry)

ASCP CG (Cytogenetics)

ASCP CT (Cytotechnologist)

ASCP H (Hematology)

ASCP M (Microbiology)

ASCP MB (Molecular Biology)

ACHI CHT/CHS (HLA)

Job description

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: RML General Microbiology

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (7:00AM - 3:00PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $34.89 - $50.63 per hour

Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary

The Medical Laboratory Scientist 3 is responsible for performing all assigned laboratory testing and reporting for the testing area. This position requires teamwork to achieve common goals and meet deadlines to provide quality care to clients and patients. Demonstrates proficiency in identifying and resolving process issues that affect the laboratory's ability to perform laboratory testing. Serves as an expert within the assigned field of responsibility. Instructs students, residents, and new employees. Evaluates their performance within established deadlines. Participates in presenting case studies or in‑services. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures. Must adhere to the Rush code of Conduct and Rush ICARE values: Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, executing these values with compassion.

Other Information

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant science required, minimum of five years of high‑complexity clinical laboratory‑related experience required. Some lab divisions may require more.
• Acceptable credentials (can vary depending on the laboratory section):
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) via the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• Medical Technologist (MT) via the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• Blood Bank (BB) via the ASCP
• Chemistry (C) via the ASCP
• Cytogenetics (CG) via the ASCP
• Cytotechnologist (CT) via the ASCP
• Hematology (H) via the ASCP
• Microbiology (M) via the ASCP
• Molecular Biology (MB) via the ASCP
• Speciality in Cytometry (SCYM) via the ASCP
• Technologist in HLA (CHT) or Specialist in HLA (CHS) via ACHI
• Employees in this job classification are qualified to perform moderate and high complexity testing. Employees' education and/or laboratory experience meet the requirements delineated in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1996.
• Affective behavior: Interacts effectively and respectfully with everyone encountered at the medical center.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in relevant discipline preferred.

Physical Demands

• Able to work in fast pace, often stressful, computerized environment. Able to lift 20 lbs and perform repetitive motions. Works in laboratory with exposure to potentially infectious and hazardous materials.

Disclaimer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates proficiency in all duties as defined in the role of Medical Technologist II.
• Serves as an expert within the assigned field of responsibility.
• Instructs students, residents, and new employees. Evaluate their performance within established deadlines.
• Participates in presenting case studies or in‑services.
• Required to oversee and maintain a clean, clutter‑free and well‑organized area of responsibility.
• Required to prepare and present one inter‑laboratory continuing education presentation per year.
• Participates in, prepares, and presents quality improvement initiatives accomplished in the laboratory – 1) Inventory Management; 2) Key facilitator for an instrument or workflow process; 3) Quality or Safety Officer; 4) Mentoring and training MLS1 and MLS2; and 5) Assist in inspection preparation.
• Utilizes required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined by the lab area. Labels and processes specimens properly. Performs all laboratory procedures efficiently and effectively and serves as a technical expert for other laboratory staff. Ensures all testing is performed following Rush approved Policies and Procedures.
• Performs required quality control (QC) procedures and preventative maintenance, including corrective action and documentation, for all procedures and instrumentation. Recognizes QC problems, shifts, drifts, or discrepancies, determines root cause, and can resolve them. Notifies the appropriate supervisor or designee regarding QC problems or discrepancies according to the established procedure. Easily determines when escalation is needed.
• Performs basic and advanced troubleshooting of equipment and processes with minimal assistance, documents action, and informs appropriate personnel, for example, supervisors, of problems all of the time. Demonstrates troubleshooting proficiency and therefore rarely needs to seek additional help.
• Keeps work area neat, clean, organized, and well‑stocked at all times. Disinfect area at the beginning and end of each shift.
• Accepts no inappropriate specimens. Notifies the appropriate person of specimens that must be drawn or collected again and documents the notification.
• Meets turnaround time expectations by prioritizing and organizing the workload for the shift. Monitors the pending list periodically to ensure the turnaround time of all samples.
• Utilizes time effectively and seeks out additional job duties when shift tasks are complete. Completes work without incurring overtime. Assists fellow workers in finishing shift tasks. Adheres to the defined allotted time for breaks and lunch.
• Required to obtain and document 12 hours of laboratory continuing education per year. Required to prepare and present a minimum of 15 minutes of continuing education within the department. Required to prepare and present one inter‑laboratory continuing education presentation per year. Prepares and presents quality improvement initiatives accomplished in the laboratory.
• Accepts and/or volunteers for method evaluations and new procedure development or other special projects and completes them within an agreed‑upon time frame. Participates in procedure implementation and training of new staff and students. Required to identify, participate, and lead in process improvement projects.
• Required to perform the duties of the tech‑in‑charge for specified periods. Oversees operations according to departmental guidelines. Understands when to defer issues to appropriate personnel, for example, a supervisor or director, and does so.
• Reviews lab results as required and takes appropriate action before verification and release. Recognizes and calls critical results within defined time frames. Reviews paper‑generated results and transcribes them accurately into the Lab Information System. Review of others' results.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.