Medical Technician, Microbiology - Part-Time, Day Shift

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Medical Technician in the Clinical Microbiology Lab department. Here, you will perform a wide range of duties in support of basic laboratory operations, act as the initial recipient of requests for services provided by the laboratory and appropriately sorts and performs initial processing on those requests in order to provide the highest level of quality service possible. The Medical Technician may perform limited testing under appropriate supervision. This is the Clinical Microbiology Lab department. This position is 100% onsite opportunity. You will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.  

Eligible for a Sign-On Bonus up to $750

Essential Job Functions

• Receives specimens submitted to laboratory and utilizes policies and procedures for requisition and specimen requirements to determine whether the submitted specimen can be processed for analysis.
• Accurately enters all pertinent patient and specimen information into the laboratory computer system and follows appropriate procedures during computer downtime, according to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Conducts preliminary specimen preparations for the analytical process, when necessary, through centrifugation or homogenization of fluid and tissue specimens and distribution of the prepared specimens to the appropriate sections of the laboratory.
• Assures the proper storage and procedures for specimens that cannot be immediately analyzed or specimens that need to be sent for analysis to referral labs.
• Properly prepares smears and inoculates culture media, following laboratory standards for specimen priority, according to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Distributes requisitions, workcards, inoculated smears, and specimens saved for direct processing or further testing appropriately, and incubates all culture materials under appropriate conditions, according to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Answers inquiries regarding specimen handling and laboratory procedures, and, when necessary, directs inquiries to the appropriate laboratory staff.
• Retrieves results from computer records, workcards, or worksheets when requested by physicians and other healthcare workers, and, when necessary, directs inquiries to the appropriate laboratory staff.
• Prepares and maintains adequate stocks of reagents, standards, control materials and other supplies required for the performance of testing at assigned workstations and notifies or assists the supervisor with any shortages or problems.
• Practices the proficient and safe use of all equipment necessary for the completion of all duties and responsibilities, performs required maintenance and initiates troubleshooting procedures when necessary, documents equipment failures and resolution appropriately.  Assists in establishing and monitoring compliance with safety procedures.
• Performs limited testing, as appropriate, under CLIA 88 rules.
• Analyzes all test and quality control results for errors, inconsistencies and deviations prior to reporting results and initiates and documents troubleshooting and problem solving to resolve issues.
• Records required information accurately, neatly, and completely on workcards and/or worksheets.
• Reports all test results in the laboratory information system according to all laboratory policies and procedures, within stated turn-around times and follows the appropriate backup procedures during computer downtimes.  Files laboratory results in an organized, neat, and timely fashion.
• Attends training sessions, seminars and workshops appropriate for the acquisition of the necessary skills and information to enhance clinical laboratory science skills.
• Communicates any pertinent information or problems with appropriate laboratory staff and supervisor.
• Acts in a consistently professional manner while conducting all duties and responsibilities and wears clothing that is appropriate for conducting those duties.
• Performs other duties as requested by senior management.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent. 
• Must satisfy