Medical Technologist and Technician - Microbiology
- Background: Can be MLT, MT, or MLS, or AS or BS degree in science but must have Microbiology lab experience.
- 2 day Day Shift and 1 evening shift openings
- Experience required: Gram stain, experience with at least one of these Molecular Microbiology platforms (Cepheid, Biofire, COBAS 6800, Roche 4800, Hologic Panther, etc.)
- Preferred experience: Culture reading, Sunquest, and Epic Beaker
*Accepting folks that are eligible or working towards eligibility to take the ASCP
Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Medical Technologist in the Clinical Chemistry Lab. In this role as a Medical Technologist, you will perform Chemistry lab tests, operate state-of-the-art instruments, and conduct esoteric tests with current technology. Responsible for quality control, instrument maintenance, and method development to support a broad menu of routine and esoteric tests, including diagnostic tests for infectious diseases and allergy identification. Operating within UChicago Medicine's Department of Pathology, we provide reference laboratory testing to various related and unrelated healthcare entities, managed care organizations and non-affiliated hospitals, outpatient clinics and private physicians' offices. We offer a full range of diagnostic services. Operating within UChicago Medicine's Department of Pathology, we provide reference laboratory testing to various related and unrelated healthcare entities, managed care organizations and non-affiliated hospitals, outpatient clinics and private physicians' offices. We offer a full range of diagnostic services.
Routinely performs a wide range of clinical analyses in all sections of the laboratory by properly utilizing a variety of methodologies and instrumentation according to laboratory policies and procedures and in accordance with all regulatory agency requirements in order to provide results of the highest level of quality to physicians and their patients. Primary responsibilities include culture and susceptibility testing, specimen processing, and rapid testing to support infectious disease and immunology testing.
Essential Job Functions:
- Receives specimens submitted to laboratory. Utilizes policies and procedures for requisition and specimen requirements to determine whether the submitted specimen can be processes for analysis. Assures proper storage and procedures for specimens that cannot be immediately analyzed
- Conducts preliminary specimen preparations for the analytical process through centrifugation of blood specimens, aliquotting of blood and body fluids and distribution of the prepared specimens to the appropriate sections of the laboratory.
- Answers inquiries regarding specimen handling, results and other technical information. Appropriately assists clinicians with requests and seeks out resources necessary when information is not available to answer questions.
- Performs all procedures designated under CLIA’88 rules as moderate or highly complex testing; knows all responsibilities as outlined in the laboratory procedure manual necessary to perform these procedures with highest level of quality within turnaround time goals set by the laboratory.
- Practices the proficient and safe use of all equipment necessary for the completion of all duties and responsibilities by following all maintenance, safety and quality controls policies and procedures.
- Prepares and maintains adequate stock of reagents, standards, and control materials for the performance of testing at assigned workstation and notifies supervisor of any shortages or problems.
- Analyzes all test and quality control results for errors, inconsistencies and deviations prior to reporting results. Initiates and documents troubleshooting and problem solving to resolve issues.
- Reports all test results in the laboratory information system according to laboratory policies and procedures, within stated turn-around times, and follows appropriate backup procedures during computer downtimes.
- Communicates any pertinent information or problems with laboratory staff and supervisors in a respectful and proactive manner.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Primary Job Functions:
Pre-Analytical (25%)
- Receives specimens submitted to laboratory.
- Utilizes policies and procedures for requisition and specimen requirements to determine whether the submitted specimen can be processes for analysis.
- Assures proper storage and procedures for specimens that cannot be immediately analyzed.
- Conducts preliminary specimen preparations for the analytical process through centrifugation of blood specimens, aliquotting of blood and body fluids and distribution of the prepared specimens to the appropriate sections of the laboratory
Analytical (40%)
- Reports all test results in the laboratory information system according to laboratory policies and procedures, within stated turn-around times, and follows appropriate backup procedures during computer downtimes.
- Practices the proficient and safe use of all equipment necessary for the completion of all duties and responsibilities by following all maintenance, operation, safety and quality controls policies and procedures.
- Demonstrates knowledge of techniques, principles, and instruments and their interrelationships as well as physiological conditions affecting test results
Customer Service (15%)
- Provides patient-focused care in a clinical setting through the accurate performance of routine and complex tests through the pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic stages.
- Answers inquiries regarding specimen handling, results and other technical information.
- Appropriately assists clinicians with requests and seeks out resources necessary when information is not available to answer questions.
Quality (20%)
- Analyzes all test and quality control results for errors, inconsistencies and deviations prior to reporting results.
- Initiates and documents troubleshooting and problem solving to resolve issues.
- Communicates information or problems with laboratory team and leadership in a respectful and proactive manner
- Prepares and maintains adequate stock of reagents, standards, and control materials for the performance of testing at assigned workstation and notifies leadership of any shortages or problems.
- Assists in maintaining continual compliance with policies, procedures and record keeping necessary to meet standards of accrediting or regulatory agencies.
- Assists in training and ongoing continuing education of laboratory testing personnel, students, pathology residents, fellows, and others
- Assists in new testing, procedures and equipment validation and implementation. Participates in educational and training activities to acquire new skills, maintain technical relevance and improve proficiency
Qualifications
- Must satisfy CLIA 88 qualification requirements for testing personnel performing high complexity testing.
- Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science or related field from an accredited college or university.
- At least one year of pertinent laboratory experience preferred
License or Certifications
- Certification or eligibility as Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) through the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or equivalent
Skills
- Knowledge and ability to use laboratory/hospitals information systems.
- Knowledge and ability to use automated and conventional laboratory equipment.
- Ability to interact in a professional manner with individuals at all levels.
Why Join UChicago!
We’ve been at the forefront of medicine since 1899. We provide superior healthcare with compassion, always mindful that each patient is a person, an individual. To accomplish this, we need employees with passion, talent and commitment… with patients and with each other. We’re in this together: working to advance medical innovation, serve the health needs of the community, and move our collective knowledge forward. If you’d like to add enriching human life to your profile, The University of Chicago Medicine is for you. Here at the forefront, we’re doing work that really matters. Join us. Bring your passion.
Job Types: Contract, Full-time
Pay: From $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Chicago, IL 60637: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience in gram stain and at least one of these Molecular Microbiology platforms (Cepheid, Biofire, COBAS 6800, Roche 4800, Hologic Panther, etc.)
- Do you have experience with culture reading?
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Preferred)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
Work Location: In person