
Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Hourly
Range $29.36 - $42.61
Work Schedule
Day Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Professional Development
Employee wellness programs
Disability insurance
Job Description
Rush University Medical Center, located in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading academic medical center dedicated to providing exceptional patient care, medical education, and pioneering research. As part of the Rush Health System, Rush University Medical Center is well-known for its commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare services across a wide range of specialties. The Medical Center is nationally recognized for its outstanding performance in patient outcomes and safety and offers a supportive environment for healthcare professionals to grow in their careers while making a tangible impact on patient lives. Employees at Rush benefit from a culture that embraces diversity, teamwork, and continuous learning, supported by a comprehensive benefits program that enhances work-life balance and professional development.
The Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 position at Rush University Medical Center represents an exciting opportunity for laboratory professionals who are passionate about contributing to quality patient care through precise and efficient laboratory testing. This role is full-time, with a shift from 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM, offering a competitive hourly pay range of $29.36 to $42.61, reflecting factors such as education, job-related experience, and skills. The position is housed within the RML Blood Bank General department under the Rush Medical Center business unit. This role is integral to the diagnostic process, performing a wide array of laboratory tests while adhering strictly to Rush’s quality standards and safety protocols.
In this position, the Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 is expected to demonstrate strong teamwork skills, working collaboratively with peers and supervisors to meet deadlines and deliver accurate results that support patient care decisions. The role demands adherence to Rush’s mission, vision, and values, especially the ICARE values — Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence — with an empathetic approach to patient and colleague interactions. The Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 will handle specimen processing, quality control, troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, and participation in continuous quality improvement initiatives. This is a dynamic role requiring attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively within a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Career growth is supported at Rush, with opportunities for continuing education — including a yearly requirement for 12 hours of laboratory continuing education — involvement in new procedure development, and cross-training in various laboratory specialties. The Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 may also undertake leadership duties such as tech-in-charge responsibilities during specified periods, overseeing laboratory operations and mentoring new staff and students. By joining Rush University Medical Center, candidates will be part of a highly skilled team dedicated to advancing medical science and improving patient outcomes through excellence in laboratory diagnostics.
The Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 position at Rush University Medical Center represents an exciting opportunity for laboratory professionals who are passionate about contributing to quality patient care through precise and efficient laboratory testing. This role is full-time, with a shift from 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM, offering a competitive hourly pay range of $29.36 to $42.61, reflecting factors such as education, job-related experience, and skills. The position is housed within the RML Blood Bank General department under the Rush Medical Center business unit. This role is integral to the diagnostic process, performing a wide array of laboratory tests while adhering strictly to Rush’s quality standards and safety protocols.
In this position, the Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 is expected to demonstrate strong teamwork skills, working collaboratively with peers and supervisors to meet deadlines and deliver accurate results that support patient care decisions. The role demands adherence to Rush’s mission, vision, and values, especially the ICARE values — Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence — with an empathetic approach to patient and colleague interactions. The Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 will handle specimen processing, quality control, troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, and participation in continuous quality improvement initiatives. This is a dynamic role requiring attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively within a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Career growth is supported at Rush, with opportunities for continuing education — including a yearly requirement for 12 hours of laboratory continuing education — involvement in new procedure development, and cross-training in various laboratory specialties. The Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 may also undertake leadership duties such as tech-in-charge responsibilities during specified periods, overseeing laboratory operations and mentoring new staff and students. By joining Rush University Medical Center, candidates will be part of a highly skilled team dedicated to advancing medical science and improving patient outcomes through excellence in laboratory diagnostics.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in laboratory science, biological science, chemistry, or equivalent education/work experience meeting CLIA 42 CFR 493 1489 for high complexity testing personnel
- Certification from a nationally recognized certifying agency
- Minimum of 5 years contiguous high complexity clinical laboratory experience for MLT certification
- Ability to effectively use personal protective equipment
- Commitment to maintaining quality control and preventative maintenance procedures
- Ability to troubleshoot laboratory equipment and document actions appropriately
- Strong organizational skills to prioritize workload and meet turnaround time expectations
- Adherence to established laboratory policies, procedures, and safety standards
- Willingness to obtain and document required continuing education hours annually
- Good communication skills and teamwork orientation
- Flexibility to work the designated shift (2:00PM to 10:30PM)
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in laboratory science, biological science, chemistry, or equivalent education/work experience meeting CLIA 42 CFR 493 1489 for high complexity testing personnel
- Appropriate certification credentials depending on laboratory section such as Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) via ASCP, Medical Technologist (MT) via AMT, Blood Bank (BB) via ASCP, Chemistry (C) via ASCP, Cytogenetics (CG) via ASCP, Cytotechnologist (CT) via ASCP, Hematology (H) via ASCP, Microbiology (M) via ASCP, Molecular Biology (MB) via ASCP, Specialty in Cytometry (SCUM) via ASCP, Technologist in HLA (CHT) via ACHI
- Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification via AACC or ASCP with minimum 5 contiguous years high complexity clinical laboratory experience may apply based on education and experience
- Certification from a nationally recognized certifying agency
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating effective and respectful interactions with all medical center personnel
- Ability to adhere to Rush policies and procedures and embody Rush ICARE values
Job Duties
- 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
- 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
- Notifies appropriate supervisor of QC problems or discrepancies
- Performs basic troubleshooting of equipment and processes with minimal assistance
- Documents actions and notifies appropriate personnel of problems
- Keeps work area neat, clean, organized, and well-stocked
- Disinfects area at beginning and end of each shift
- Accepts no inappropriate specimens and notifies appropriate person of specimens that must be drawn or collected again
- Meets turnaround time expectations by prioritizing and organizing workload
- Monitors pending list to ensure turnaround time of all samples
- Utilizes time effectively and seeks out additional job duties when tasks are complete
- Completes work without incurring overtime and assists fellow workers
- Adheres to allotted break and lunch times
- Obtains and documents 12 hours of laboratory continuing education per year
- Accepts and/or volunteers for method evaluations and new procedure development or other special projects
- Participates in procedure implementation and training of new staff and students
- Identifies and participates in process improvement projects
- May perform duties of tech-in-charge, overseeing operations according to departmental guidelines
- Understands when to defer issues to appropriate personnel
- 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 accurately into Lab Information System
Job Criteria
Experience
No experience required
Job Location
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