Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in Illinois
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated across hospital systems, academic medical centers, public health laboratories, and independent reference labs, with openings at every level from entry-level generalists through senior specialists and laboratory managers. Chicago, Springfield, and Peoria are the primary hiring hubs, where employers such as Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and AMITA Health maintain large laboratory operations. The most in-demand specialties in Illinois listings are clinical chemistry, hematology, and microbiology, reflecting the diagnostic volume of the state's major health systems. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 29+ Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs
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?
Job Description
The Medical Laboratory Scientist 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. A Medical Laboratory Scientist performs test procedures in a clinical laboratory and conveys the results to the physician or designee in an accurate and timely manner for the purpose of patient diagnosis and treatment.
Responsibilities:
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.
Collecting, receiving and processing of specimens:
- 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).
Maintains test system integrity:
- 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 specimen preparation:
- 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.
Performs tests:
- 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.
Performs technical review and interpretation:
- 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.
Troubleshoots and solves problems:
- 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.
Post-test specimen storage:
- Stores specimens and related materials (blood, slides, tissues, etc.) according to protocols for location and duration.
- Retrieves specimen and related materials when needed.
Post-analytical responsibilities:
- Performs all aspects of the post-analytical workflow appropriate for the specific laboratory section to ensure accurate results are reported within established time frames, specimens are retained appropriately, test results and/or current status are available upon inquiry, and billed charges are correct for testing performed.
Verifies and reports results:
- Verifies results according to procedure.
- Performs computer functions necessary for releasing results.
- Generates written reports according to established protocol.
- Reviews electronic or printed reports when applicable, recognizes problems and escalates according to protocol.
Amends reports:
- Corrects erroneous reports and amends reports according to procedure.
Responds to inquiries:
- Responds to requests for information according to established protocol for confidentiality and release of information.
- Recognizes when unresolved inquiries need to be escalated and takes action.
Stores documents and records:
- Stores documents and records according to established protocol.
Charge capture/billing:
- Performs billing and/or enter credits for tests and services when applicable.
- Recognizes billing problems and escalates accordingly.
Universal responsibilities:
- Ensures quality of operations:
- Follows written standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Operates instruments/equipment according to protocol.
- Uses computers according to established protocol; follows downtime procedures as required.
- Performs required quality system responsibilities.
- Meets proficiency and competency standards of the department.
- Participates in the training of new employees and students.
- Performs operational review of new SOPs.
- Participates in new test development, validations and implementation.
- Attends at least one personal development session per year.
- Performs other duties as assigned, or as needed, to ensure continued quality operations.
- Ensures safety of operations:
- Follows all required safety procedures, uses personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for tasks performed.
-
Maintains cleans and organized work area.
-
Provides service excellence:
- Answers telephone when needed, using NM telephone etiquette.
- Maintains patient confidentiality including protected health information (PHI).
- Assists patients, visitors and other contacts whenever need occurs.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), or equivalent certification examination.
- License/Certification and Regulatory Agency
- General MLS or MT (ASCP) Certification or eligible or
- Categorical BB, C, H or M (ASCP) Certification or eligible.
- If hired after 1/19/2025 must be ASCP certified (or equivalent certification) within one year of employment.
Additional Information
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.
Background Check
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 laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
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.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):
Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 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.
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?
Job Description
The Medical Laboratory Scientist 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. A Medical Laboratory Scientist performs test procedures in a clinical laboratory and conveys the results to the physician or designee in an accurate and timely manner for the purpose of patient diagnosis and treatment.
Responsibilities:
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.
Collecting, receiving and processing of specimens:
- 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).
Maintains test system integrity:
- 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 specimen preparation:
- 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.
Performs tests:
- 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.
Performs technical review and interpretation:
- 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.
Troubleshoots and solves problems:
- 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.
Post-test specimen storage:
- Stores specimens and related materials (blood, slides, tissues, etc.) according to protocols for location and duration.
- Retrieves specimen and related materials when needed.
Post-analytical responsibilities:
- Performs all aspects of the post-analytical workflow appropriate for the specific laboratory section to ensure accurate results are reported within established time frames, specimens are retained appropriately, test results and/or current status are available upon inquiry, and billed charges are correct for testing performed.
Verifies and reports results:
- Verifies results according to procedure.
- Performs computer functions necessary for releasing results.
- Generates written reports according to established protocol.
- Reviews electronic or printed reports when applicable, recognizes problems and escalates according to protocol.
Amends reports:
- Corrects erroneous reports and amends reports according to procedure.
Responds to inquiries:
- Responds to requests for information according to established protocol for confidentiality and release of information.
- Recognizes when unresolved inquiries need to be escalated and takes action.
Stores documents and records:
- Stores documents and records according to established protocol.
Charge capture/billing:
- Performs billing and/or enter credits for tests and services when applicable.
- Recognizes billing problems and escalates accordingly.
Universal responsibilities:
- Ensures quality of operations:
- Follows written standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Operates instruments/equipment according to protocol.
- Uses computers according to established protocol; follows downtime procedures as required.
- Performs required quality system responsibilities.
- Meets proficiency and competency standards of the department.
- Participates in the training of new employees and students.
- Performs operational review of new SOPs.
- Participates in new test development, validations and implementation.
- Attends at least one personal development session per year.
- Performs other duties as assigned, or as needed, to ensure continued quality operations.
- Ensures safety of operations:
- Follows all required safety procedures, uses personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for tasks performed.
-
Maintains cleans and organized work area.
-
Provides service excellence:
- Answers telephone when needed, using NM telephone etiquette.
- Maintains patient confidentiality including protected health information (PHI).
- Assists patients, visitors and other contacts whenever need occurs.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), or equivalent certification examination.
- License/Certification and Regulatory Agency
- General MLS or MT (ASCP) Certification or eligible or
- Categorical BB, C, H or M (ASCP) Certification or eligible.
- If hired after 1/19/2025 must be ASCP certified (or equivalent certification) within one year of employment.
Additional Information
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.
Background Check
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 laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
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.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):
Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 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.
See All 29 Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsMedical Laboratory Scientist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Medical Laboratory Scientist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in medical laboratory scientist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois clinical laboratory technologist license or eligibility through the Illinois Department of Public Health
- Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, or closely related biomedical field
- ASCP Board of Certification (MLS or equivalent) credential required or strongly preferred by most employers
- Minimum one to two years of clinical laboratory experience in a high-volume hospital or reference lab setting
- Demonstrated proficiency in at least one core discipline such as hematology, microbiology, or clinical chemistry
- Ability to rotate across laboratory departments including blood bank, urinalysis, and point-of-care testing
Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a medical laboratory scientist in Illinois?
To work as a medical laboratory scientist in Illinois, you must obtain licensure through the Illinois Department of Public Health as a clinical laboratory technologist. Licensure requires a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or a closely related field from an accredited program, completion of an approved clinical internship, and passing a recognized national certification exam such as the ASCP Board of Certification MLS examination. Most Illinois employers treat active IDPH licensure as a non-negotiable hiring requirement.
Which companies hire medical laboratory scientists in Illinois?
Employers hiring medical laboratory scientists in Illinois right now include Hospital Sisters Health System, Endeavor Health, and Rush University Medical Center, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems and its concentration of academic medical centers in the Chicago metropolitan area generate consistent laboratory staffing demand throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most medical laboratory scientist jobs?
Chicago, Springfield, and Wood Dale have the most medical laboratory scientist openings in Illinois right now. Chicago dominates the distribution because of the density of major health systems, academic medical centers, and reference laboratories headquartered there, while Springfield and Peoria reflect the large regional hospital networks that anchor healthcare employment in central and downstate Illinois.
Are there remote medical laboratory scientist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are rare. Medical laboratory science is fundamentally a hands-on role requiring direct specimen handling, instrumentation, and on-site quality control, which limits remote options substantially. About 0% of medical laboratory scientist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are typically concentrated in laboratory informatics, pathology data review, or laboratory management roles rather than bench work.
How can I get hired as a medical laboratory scientist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate laboratory rotational programs at large Illinois health systems such as Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Health Care, which periodically hire new graduates into structured orientation tracks. Candidates who hold or are eligible for IDPH clinical laboratory technologist licensure and ASCP certification have a clear advantage even without post-graduation experience. Moving laterally from a phlebotomist, laboratory assistant, or histotechnician role within a large Illinois hospital is another well-established route, as internal candidates are frequently considered for open MLS positions.
Where can I find and apply to medical laboratory scientist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to medical laboratory scientist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers across the state. Find the roles that fit your credentials and experience and apply directly to the ones that interest you.
See All 29 Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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