Clinical Lab Assistant

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Night (United States of America)

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

The Clinical Lab Assistant is responsible for performing a variety of pre-analytical clinical laboratory procedures and services including laboratory specimen intake, accessioning, processing, and routing. Must be skilled in laboratory/hospital computer procedures and able to effectively communicate with all customers of the laboratory including physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and other clinicians.  Functions as a member of the Specimen Processing team and actively supports the Hospital’s Continuous Quality and Customer Service goals through modeling appropriate behavior and providing a work environment conducive to attaining these goals.

Job Responsibilities:

• Performs pre-analytical specimen preparation. Accessions specimens with correct collection and receipt information. Verifies patient information and specimen acceptability by correlating orders with test requirements. Prepares samples for storage and analysis by centrifugation and aliquoting. Distributes and/or stores specimens according to handling instructions. May load specimens onto automated line systems or into specimen racks for analysis.

• Verifies or releases orders from electronic medical record; orders tests in laboratory information system as needed. Prints labels and forms as appropriate.

• Assures specimens are properly aliquoted with correct patient information and stored for send out testing.

• Maintains telephone inquiries in a professional, proactive customer service fashion and serves as a resource for customer information and requests.

• Utilizes the laboratory and hospital computer systems to order and receive laboratory specimens, retrieve collection lists, verify account numbers, resolve incorrect orders.

• Maintains an appropriate inventory of supplies in the work area.

• Keep refrigerators and freezers clean and organized. Disinfects work area and equipment according to the departmental maintenance guidelines.

• Supports new staff in orientation and training.  Participates in continuing education and mandatory programs.  Successfully completes annual competency skill assessments.

• Complies with safety, hazardous materials, standard precautions, and infection control policies.

• Displays professional appearance.  Promotes professional environment, including emphasis on cleanliness and safety.

• Communicates any problems or deviations from established protocol to Coordinator or Manager; documents deviations in the safety reporting system.

• Communicates effectively with physicians, ancillary hospital employees, team members, and external customers.

• Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers and others.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate’s degree in chemical, physical, biological science, or medical technology preferred.

• Training or prior experience as a Clinical Laboratory Assistant, Specimen Processor, Medical Assistant, or Phlebotomist preferred.

• Prior experience working in a lab setting and/or specimen processing experience preferred.

• Ability to resolve problems with the utilization of appropriate resources, to make informed decisions and handle complex inquiries in a courteous and timely manner; to work in a fast-paced, time critical department.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated knowledge of electronic medical record systems and laboratory information systems.

Education

High School Diploma/GED (Required)

Pay Range

$21.00-$32.55 Hourly

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: [email protected]

AI Notice 

Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals.

It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes.

For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: [email protected]