Clinical Lab Assistant II - Referred Testing Evenings

Clinical Lab Assistant II – Referred Testing (Full‑Time, Evenings)

Salary Range: $20.80 – $28.08 per hour. Placement within the range depends on experience, internal equity, and collective bargaining agreement for unionized positions.

• $10,000 tuition reimbursement per year (or $5,700 for part‑time)
• $10,000 student‑loan repayment ($5,000 for part‑time)
• $1,000 professional development per year ($500 for part‑time)
• $250 wellbeing fund per year ($125 for part‑time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual employee salary increase and incentive bonus
• Paid time off and holiday pay

The Clinical Lab Assistant II (CLA II) reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies and accreditation standards.

• Collaborate with the main lab staff, 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, ensuring accurate data entry.
• Properly process specimens for transport to reference laboratories.
• Distribute specimens to the appropriate testing area.
• Identify and solve problems with appropriate resources, with assistance from supervisors, managers, pathologists or coworkers when needed.
• Verify the accuracy of all instruments and test kits; conduct quality control, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Operate and maintain laboratory automation systems as appropriate.
• Perform diagnostic/analytic testing of specimens, interpret, document and report results to providers.
• Accurately perform waived and/or moderate complexity testing under the direction of the CLS.
• Ensure appropriate testing is ordered and correctly identifies the reference laboratory for referred specimens.
• Communicate specimen rejections and critical/notifiable results to appropriate clinical personnel, completing required documentation.
• Record refrigerator temperature(s) and QC/QA records; note concerns on the Corrective Action Log and report to maintenance for repair.
• Adhere to lab procedures, following up on outstanding orders, including time‑sensitive draws/charges.
• Answer phone calls to the laboratory and triage appropriately.
• Coordinate courier pickups as needed.

• Perform phlebotomy and other specimen collections per age‑related standards as required.
• Complete biological transport training and maintain competency.
• Recognize temperature‑dependent transport conditions and select the correct packing list destination.
• Monitor and maintain specialty supplies, including kits, swabs, and collection containers; disperse to units.
• Ensure supplies are available and stored at 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 returned.

Required:

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

Preferred:

• 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. Authorized disclosure is required if a position is offered. Results are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis, following all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within the last year are not eligible for the sign‑on bonus. Exception: new graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.