Medical Laboratory Scientist- Laboratory

Job Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees.

Ready to join our quest for better?

• Technical 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/transported.
  • Verifies order where necessary.
  • Verifies non-patient information (e.g., collection time) according to established protocol.
  • Handles unresolved orders, troubleshoots where needed.
  • Verifies with physicians and/or nurses prior to laboratory information system (LIS) order entry to resolve unclear, duplicate or otherwise ambiguous 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.
  • Verifies specimens are correctly and completely labeled upon receipt. Evaluates specimens for appropriateness and takes necessary corrective action. Appropriately documents unacceptable specimens and proper notifications as needed.
  • 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 (SOP).
  • Performs preventive 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 level is encountered.
  • Performs and records all necessary quality control (QC) required for test system performance.
  • Evaluates QC results and takes necessary corrective actions according to established protocol.
  • Performs any necessary pretest specimen preparation according to protocols (e.g., microbiology plating, cell cultures, filtering, extraction, separation, elution, absorption, etc.).
  • Transfers or ships specimens to approved testing locations according to SOPs.
  • Prioritizes testing based on assignment or established priorities, completes testing within defined turn-around-times (TAT).
  • 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.
  • Monitors daily workflow and priorities to assure meeting service levels.
  • 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 completes indicated reflex testing or other follow-up actions.
  • Follows established notification protocols for critical values, phone/fax/e‑mail results requests, abnormalities.
  • 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.
  • Stores specimens and related materials (blood, slides, tissues, etc.) according to protocols for location and…