Clinical Lab Assistant II

Clinical Lab Assistant II - Full-time Days

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.

The CLA II 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.

• Collaborate with the main lab staff, other ancillary departments, nurses and providers to ensure excellent patient care.
• Receive specimens into the laboratory information system.
• Input and retrieve lab results in the laboratory or hospital computer system.
• Register specimen drop‑offs (e.g., Home health) in LIS assuring accurate data entry.
• Process specimens for transport to reference laboratories.
• Distribute specimens to the appropriate testing area.
• Identify and solve problems utilizing appropriate resources with the assistance of a supervisor, manager, pathologist and/or coworkers when appropriate.
• Verify the accuracy of all instruments and test kits; responsible for quality control, maintenance, troubleshooting.
• Operate and maintain laboratory automation systems as appropriate.
• Perform diagnostic/analytic testing of specimens, interpret, document and report results to provider.
• Accurately perform waived and/or moderate‑complexity testing under the direction of CLS.
• Ensure appropriate testing is ordered and properly identify the correct reference laboratory for referred specimens.
• Communicate specimen rejections, critical/notifiable results to appropriate clinical personnel and complete required documentation.
• Review/record refrigerator temperatures and QC/QA records. Areas of concern are recorded through the Corrective Action Log and reported to maintenance for repair.
• Adhere to lab procedures and follow up on outstanding orders including time‑sensitive draws/charges.
• Answer phone calls to the laboratory and triage appropriate.
• Coordinate courier pickups as needed.

• Perform phlebotomy and other lab specimen collections per age‑related standards as required.
• Complete biological transport training as required and maintain competency.
• Recognize temperature‑dependent transport conditions and select correct packing list destination.
• Monitor and maintain specialty supplies, including kits, swabs and collection containers and disperse to units.
• Ensure supplies are available and stored at the appropriate temperatures.
• Perform microbiology setups or other testing preparation duties.
• Assist with bone marrow and other biopsy processing.
• Pull AP slides for second‑opinion requests and log material back into Epic when material is returned.

• High School Diploma.
• Minimum of 1 year of work experience in a general lab, specimen processing or phlebotomy area or enrollment in a lab‑related education program.

• Phlebotomy Certification or training from an accredited school or institution.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal‑opportunity employer (disability, VETS) 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.

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal…