Medical Laboratory Technician -Flow Cytometry, Full-Time, Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

5d

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Technician performs test procedures in a clinical laboratory and conveys 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 program, policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

The technician supports pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic laboratory workflows. Duties include verifying orders and specimens, collecting, receiving, processing, preparing, and storing specimens, performing waived through high-complexity testing, reviewing and interpreting results, troubleshooting test-system issues, and releasing and amending reports. The role also supports quality control, instrument maintenance, inventory, safety, billing, service excellence, and the training and development of colleagues and students.

Requirements

• Associate 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.
• Must obtain Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) (ASCP) or equivalent certification within one year of hire.

Nice To Haves

• One year of laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-analytic workflow, including verifying orders and non-patient information, resolving or escalating ambiguous orders, and confirming add-on test availability and acceptability.
• Collect, receive, verify, evaluate, prioritize, process, document, and aliquot specimens according to established protocols.
• Perform analytical testing, including waived, moderate, and high-complexity testing, following written protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Maintain test-system integrity through preventive instrument and equipment maintenance, reagent and supply checks, inventory monitoring, and required quality control and corrective actions.
• Prepare specimens for testing and transfer or ship specimens to approved testing locations according to standard operating procedures.
• Prioritize and complete testing within defined turnaround times; adapt workflow for STAT tests, changing volumes, and age-specific protocols as applicable.
• Review and interpret test results, perform visual interpretations or identifications as appropriate, recognize unusual results, and complete reflex testing or follow-up actions.
• Follow established protocols for communicating critical values, abnormalities, and result requests.
• Troubleshoot test-system and workflow problems, escalate unresolved issues, and follow up on pending tests.
• Store and retrieve specimens and related materials according to established location and duration protocols.
• Follow written procedures, operate instruments and computers according to protocol, use downtime procedures when required, and meet departmental proficiency and competency standards.
• Participate in training new employees and students under the direction of Medical Laboratory Scientist trainers; review new SOPs and participate in test development, validation, and implementation.
• Attend at least one personal development session per year and perform other duties as assigned or needed to ensure quality operations.
• Follow safety procedures, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Provide service excellence by answering telephones using NM etiquette, protecting patient confidentiality and protected health information, and assisting patients, visitors, and other contacts.
• Perform post-analytic workflow, including verifying and releasing results, generating and reviewing reports, correcting or amending reports, responding to information requests, and storing documents and records.
• Perform billing or enter credits for tests and services when applicable, and recognize and escalate billing problems.

Benefits

• Northwestern Medicine describes its benefits as including tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness, 401(k) matching, and lifecycle benefits; it directs applicants to its benefits information for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree