Laboratory Resource Coordinator

Northwestern Medicine is committed to patient-first interactions and a positive workplace. We offer competitive benefits including tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness, 401(k) matching, and lifecycle benefits.

The Resource Coordinator, Support Services/Outpatient Phlebotomy reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organization 0s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards. Under the direction of the Manager, the coordinator facilitates the delivery of quality service for a designated section (75% staff work 25% resource coordination).

Duties include investigation and resolution of service problems between support services, nursing units, outpatient areas and clinical testing departments. Responsibilities include coordination of specimen processing and delivery and result distribution. Special knowledge of hospital and laboratory systems is required.

• Performs all aspects of pre-analytic workflow appropriate for the specific support services laboratory section to ensure orders are entered correctly, specimens collected are appropriate for the test ordered and are correctly processed/transported.
• Customer Service: answers telephone and prioritizes requests; follows up on telephone requests as needed; provides specimen collection instructions to customers when necessary.
• Verifies order: verifies non-patient information (e.g., collection time) according to established protocol; handles unresolved orders and troubleshooting; verifies with physician and/or nurses prior to LIS order entry to resolve unclear, duplicate, or ambiguous orders; enters orders; verifies specimens for add-on tests are available and acceptable and generates add-on test orders.
• Registers patients in computer: registers patients according to established protocol; verifies patient demographics; verifies data entry of specimen/orders into the computer.
• Enters orders: collecting, receiving, and processing of specimens; verifies specimens are correctly and completely labeled upon receipt; evaluates specimens for appropriateness and takes corrective action; documents unacceptable specimens; prioritizes specimen processing based on established priorities; aliquots specimens according to established protocols; performs aspects of analytical testing appropriate for the specific laboratory section.
• Maintains test system integrity: performs preventative maintenance on instruments/equipment; verifies reagents and supplies meet acceptability criteria; ensures sufficient reagents and supplies; notifies senior staff when inventory is low; performs and records all necessary QC; evaluates QC results and takes corrective actions.
• Performs specimen preparation: pretest specimen preparation; test management for the laboratory section; coordinates workflow to incorporate STAT tests or volume fluctuations; monitors daily workflow and adjusts staff assignments and priorities; performs test review and follows notification protocols for results requests; troubleshoots problems and escalates as needed; prints pending logs and follows up to ensure completion or cancellation of pending tests; performs post-analytic workflow to ensure accurate results reporting within established time limits, specimen retention, and correct billing.
• Post-test specimen storage and verification: stores and retrieves specimens as needed; verifies and reports results; performs computer functions for releasing results; generates written reports; reviews printed reports and escalates problems per protocol.
• Amends reports and responds to inquiries: corrects erroneous reports; responds to…