Medical Laboratory Scientist-Generalist Full Time Evenings

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare•Lake Forest, IL

17h•$34 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Scientist performs clinical laboratory testing and reports results accurately and promptly to physicians or their designees to support patient diagnosis and treatment. The role follows Northwestern Medicine’s mission, values, Code of Ethics, compliance requirements, policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards. This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position at Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital. The schedule is 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with an every-third-weekend rotation. The position performs pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic laboratory workflows; maintains test systems and quality controls; interprets and reports results; troubleshoots problems; and supports safe, high-quality laboratory operations and patient service.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the ASCP or equivalent certification examination.
General MLS or MT (ASCP) certification or eligibility, or categorical BB, C, H, or M (ASCP) certification or eligibility.
If hired after January 19, 2025, must obtain ASCP or equivalent certification within one year of employment.

Responsibilities

Perform pre-analytic workflow, including verifying orders and non-patient information, resolving unclear or duplicate orders, confirming add-on test availability, and addressing order-compliance issues.
Receive, label-check, evaluate, document, prioritize, process, and aliquot specimens according to established protocols.
Perform analytical testing and any required pretest specimen preparation, and transfer or ship specimens to approved testing locations.
Maintain test system integrity through preventive maintenance, reagent and supply checks, inventory monitoring, and required quality control; evaluate QC results and take corrective action.
Prioritize testing, meet turnaround times, follow age-specific protocols, adapt to STAT tests and workflow changes, and monitor daily workflow and service levels.
Review results for completeness, correctness, and consistency; interpret results as appropriate; perform visual identifications, reflex testing, and follow-up actions; and follow notification protocols for critical values and abnormalities.
Recognize and troubleshoot test-system problems, escalate unresolved issues, and follow up on pending tests.
Store and retrieve specimens and related materials according to protocols.
Complete post-analytical workflows, verify and release results, generate and review reports, amend erroneous reports, respond to inquiries, and store documents and records.
Perform applicable billing and charge-capture tasks, identify billing problems, and escalate them.
Follow SOPs and safety procedures, use equipment and computers appropriately, maintain an organized work area, and meet quality-system, proficiency, and competency standards.
Participate in training new employees and students, operational review of new SOPs, new-test development, validations, and implementation; attend at least one personal development session per year.
Answer telephones using NM telephone etiquette, maintain patient confidentiality, and assist patients, visitors, and other contacts as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned or needed to ensure continued quality operations.