Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Pay Starting at: $27.83+ per hour based on experience

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

• Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being.
• Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Description

The Medical Lab Technician reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

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 and transported.
  • Verifies order where necessary
  • Verifies non-patient information (e.g., collection time) according to established protocol where needed.
  • Handles unresolved orders, troubleshoots where needed. Informs senior staff of resolutions. Escalates promptly when unable to resolve.
  • Verifies with physician and/or nurses prior to LIS order entry to resolve unclear, duplicate or otherwise ambiguous orders.
• Enters 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, using established protocols, and takes necessary corrective action. Appropriately documents unacceptable specimens.
  • 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 established written protocols and standard operating procedures.
  • Maintains test system integrity:
    • Performs preventative maintenance on instruments/equipment in a timely fashion according to defined schedule.
    • Verifies reagents and supplies meet defined acceptability criteria upon receipt and prior to use; takes action to ensure unacceptable items are removed from use.
    • Ensures that sufficient reagents and supplies necessary for test performance are available. Notifies senior staff when minimum inventory is encountered.
    • Performs and records all necessary quality control required for test system performance.
    • Evaluates quality control results and takes necessary corrective actions according to established protocol.
• Performs specimen preparation:
  • Performs any necessary pretest specimen preparation according to protocols (e.g., microbiology plating, cell cultures, filtering, extraction, separation, elution absorption, etc).
• Performs tests:
  • Prioritizes testing based on assignment or established priorities, completes testing within defined turn-around-times.
  • Recognizes the need for and follows any age-specific protocols.
  • Responds effectively to changes in the workflow by coordinating a simultaneous series of tests when needed or adjusting work to incorporate STAT tests or fluctuations in work volume.
• Performs technical review and interpretation, according to defined procedures.
  • Reviews results for completeness, correctness, and consistency within defined test system.
  • Evaluates test results/reactions and provides accurate interpretations as appropriate to include correlation with, and integration of, other patient data as necessary.
  • Performs visual interpretation/identifications as appropriate.
  • Recognizes unusual test results/interpretations and complete indicated reflex testing or other follow-up actions.
  • Follows established notification protocols for critical values, phone/fax results requests, abnormalities.
• Troubleshoots and solves problems:
  • Recognizes test system performance problems and takes necessary corrective actions.
  • Recognizes when unresolved problems need to be escalated and takes necessary follow-up action.
  • Prints pending logs and follows-up to ensure pending tests are completed or cancelled when appropriate.
• Post-test specimen storage:
  • Stores specimens and related materials (blood, slides, tissues, etc) according to protocols for location and duration.
  • Retrieves specimen and related materials when needed.
• Performs all aspects of the post-analytic workflow appropriate for the specific laboratory section to ensure accurate results are reported within established time frames, specimens are retained appropriately, test results and/or current status are available upon inquiry, and billed charges are correct for testing performed.
  • Verifies and reports results:
    • Verifies results according to procedure.
    • Performs computer functions necessary for releasing results.
    • Generates written reports according to established protocol.
    • Reviews printed reports when applicable, recognizes problems and escalates according to protocol.
• Amends reports:
  • Corrects erroneous reports and amends reports according to procedure.
• Responds to inquiries:
  • Responds to requests for information according to established protocol for confidentiality and release of information.
  • Recognizes when unresolved inquiries need to be escalated and take action.
• Stores documents and records:
  • Stores documents and records according to established protocol.
• Charge capture/billing:
  • Performs billing and/or enters credits for tests and services when applicable.
  • Recognizes billing problems and escalates accordingly.
• Universal responsibilities:
  • Ensures safety of operations:
    • Follows all required safety procedures, uses personal protective equipment appropriate for tasks performed.
    • Maintains clean and organized work area.
• Provides service excellence:
  • Answers telephones when needed, using AIDET telephone etiquette.
  • Maintains patient confidentiality.
  • Assists patients and other contacts whenever need occurs.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education/Experience
  • Associate's Degree in Medical Laboratory Technician or equivalent qualifying the applicant to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification examination.
• License/Certification and Regulatory Agency
  • MLT (ASCP) Certification or eligible
  • If eligible, must be ASCP certified within one year of employment

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.