Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in Chicago, IL

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: RML Chemistry

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 2

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (3:00PM - 11:30PM)

Pay Range: $29.36 - $42.61 per hour

Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary

The Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 is responsible for performing all assigned laboratory testing and reporting for the testing area. This position requires teamwork to achieve common goals and meet deadlines to provide quality care to clients and patients. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures. Must adhere to the Rush Code of Conduct and Rush ICARE values: Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, executing these values with compassion.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in laboratory science, biological science, chemistry, or education/work experience meeting the qualifications of high complexity testing personnel as defined by CLIA 42 CFR 493 1489; no previous experience required.
• Acceptable credentials (can vary depending on the laboratory section):
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) via the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• Medical Technologist (MT) via the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• Blood Bank (BB) via the ASCP
• Chemistry (C) via the ASCP
• Cytogenetics (CG) via the ASCP
• Cytotechnologist (CT) via the ASCP
• Hematology (H) via the ASCP
• Microbiology (M) via the ASCP
• Molecular Biology (MB) via the ASCP
• Specialty in Cytometry (SCUM) via ASCP
• Technologist in HLA (CHT) via ACHI
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) via AACC or ASCP with a minimum of 5 contiguous year's high complexity clinical laboratory experience.
• Associate’s degree and/or education/work experience qualifications as defined by CLIA 42 CFT 493 148; and MLT or other laboratory certification; and 5 contiguous years of experience required. Some laboratory sections may have more stringent education and certification requirements.
• Certification from a nationally recognized certifying agency is required. Some laboratory disciplines may require more stringent certification criteria.

Responsibilities:

• Utilizes required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined by the lab area. Labels and processes specimens properly. Performs all laboratory procedures efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision once trained. All testing must be done following Rush approved Policies and Procedures.
• Performs required quality control (QC) procedures and preventative maintenance, including corrective action and documentation, for all procedures and instrumentation. Recognizes QC problems or discrepancies and attempts to determine the cause of the problem. Notifies the appropriate supervisor or designee regarding QC problems or discrepancies according to the established procedure.
• Performs basic troubleshooting of equipment and processes with minimal assistance, documents action, and notifies appropriate personnel, for example, supervisors, of problems all the time. Able to recognize when additional help is needed and seek out that help.
• Keeps work area neat, clean, organized, and well-stocked at all times. Disinfect the area at the beginning and end of each shift.
• Accepts no inappropriate specimens. Notifies the appropriate person of specimens that must be drawn or collected again and documents the notification.
• Meets turnaround time expectations by prioritizing and organizing the workload for the shift. Monitors the pending list periodically to ensure turnaround time of all samples.
• Utilizes time effectively and seeks out additional job duties when shift tasks are complete. Completes work without incurring overtime. Assists fellow workers to finish shift tasks. Adheres to the defined allotted time for breaks and lunch.
• Required to obtain and document 12 hours of laboratory continuing education per year.
• Accepts and/or volunteers for method evaluations and new procedure development or other special projects and completes them within an agreed upon time frame. Participates in procedure implementation and training of new staff and students. Encouraged to identify and participate in process improvement projects.
• May perform the duties of the tech-in-charge for specified periods. Oversees operations according to departmental guidelines. Understands when to defer issues to appropriate personnel, for example, a supervisor or director, and does so.
• Reviews lab results as required and takes appropriate action before verification and release. Recognizes and calls critical results within defined time frames. Reviews paper-generated results and transcribes them accurately into the Lab Information.

Additional job duties will be defined by the laboratory's specific bench or assignment competencies.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.