Pre Analytical Technician, Laboratory Service Center - Day Shift - The University of Chicago Medicine

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Senior Pre Analytical Technician, also known as, Lab ProcessingTechnician in the Laboratory Service department.Here, you will be responsible for preparing referral testing to external labs, specimen receipt and prep for all specimens collected in both inpatient & outpatient settings of all UCMC sites and UCML outreach clients. Pre-analytical technician performs manual billing tasks and manual result entry. This role serves a client service function: answering calls from clients both IP and outreach, faxing results, investigating lab issues and resolving problem orders This position also fields phone calls for the Clinical Labs as well as exception handling for lab testing and orders that do not meet submission criteria. Works collaboratively with colleagues, participates in process improvement projects.  This department is in the Laboratory Service Center.This position is a 100% onsite opportunity. You will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

Responsible for the provision of specimen receipt, assessment, and pre-analytical processing services. Includes aspects of quality assurance for the area, including assessment of specimen quality, verification of missing information and activation of specimen rejection process as per written policies and procedures. Responsibilities may include specimen collection tasks, performance of waived or moderately complex testing, and urgent value reporting. Includes receiving specimens and requisitions for test ordering, entering orders into laboratory computer system, verifying/reviewing orders, generating appropriate specimen collection labels, directing samples to appropriate laboratory sections, and responding to telephone inquiries for test results and other information such as specimen collection requirements. Responsibilities also include processing of specimens for laboratory referral (send-out), review and release of laboratory referral reports. Responsible for staff scheduling, training other staff, assisting in continuing education activities, monitoring of key performance indicators for regulatory compliance and process improvement, development and review of policy and procedures, and laboratory information system interface implementation/maintenance. The Pre-Analytical Technician Senior provides guidance to technical staff as well as assessing staff needs in the absence of the manager or supervisor.

Essential Job Functions 

• Receive, assess, and process specimens received in the Clinical Laboratories. Assesses specimen integrity/quality including requisition and specimen labeling requirements as mandated by policies and procedures
• Assists and performs specimen collections tasks. Including ensuring proper collection container, accessioning, specimen labeling, and distribution of specimens to testing areas
• Conducts pre-analytical specimen preparation through centrifugation, aliquoting, set-ups, pH check, and other types of processing as necessary prior to distribution to appropriate laboratories. Specimen integrity is maintained by following appropriate transport procedures as well as shipping and packaging procedures in the case of specimens being sent out for testing
• Provides guidance and oversight to laboratory to pre-analytical staff. Includes assigning responsibilities, schedule management, assessment of workflows, and policy and procedure review
• Answers inquiries regarding specimen handling for esoteric testing, test result, turnaround times, and specimen collection. Handle exception specimens and triage requests from customers
• Monitors the sending of laboratory referral specimens including result verification. Including implementation and maintenance of laboratory information systems including lab referral interfaces
• Assess quality assurance characteristics of pre-analytical specimen processing. Assists in data collection and analysis for laboratory key quality indicators
• Train new and current staff. Participate in continuing education functions
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications 

• Must satisfy CLIA 88 qualification requirements
• High school diploma or equivalent 
• Appropriate training/experience in clinical laboratory science 
• Knowledge and ability to safely use laboratory and hospital information systems
• Ability to follow established procedures
• Knowledge and ability to use automated/conventional laboratory equipment
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with colleagues and other healthcare workers
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Appropriate training/experience in performing venipunctures

Preferred Qualifications 

• MLT (ASCP) certification/eligibility 
• Associates Degree 
• Minimum of 2-3 years; experience lab processing & specimen processing 

Position Details 

• Job Type/FTE: Full Time (1.00)
• Shift: Day Shift (7:00 am - 3:30 pm), Monday - Friday with rotating weekends/Holidays 
• Work Location:  Hyde Park
• Unit/Department: Laboratory Service Center
• CBA Code: Non-Union

In this role, we anticipate that you will generally work approximately 40 hours per week.  We anticipate that you will generally be scheduled to work the day shift, from approximately 7:00 am - 3:30 pm and will not be scheduled for on-call shifts.  We anticipate you will be scheduled to work 100% at the Hyde Park campus. The days of the week that you are scheduled will vary depending on the week, but we anticipate that you will be scheduled to work on weekends (Saturday and/or Sunday) only every other week.

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, UChicago Medicine is for you. Here at the forefront, we’re doing work that really matters. Join us. Bring your passion.

UChicago Medicine is growing; discover how you can be a part of this pursuit of excellence at: UChicago Medicine Career Opportunities.

UChicago Medicine is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.

Must comply with UChicago Medicine’s COVID-19 Vaccination requirement as a condition of employment. If you have already received the vaccination, you must provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. This is in addition to your compliance with the Flu Vaccination requirement as well. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered consistent with applicable law. Lastly, a pre-employment physical, drug screening, and background check are also required for all employees prior to hire.