Anatomic Pathology Lab Assistant-Part-time Days

The salary range for this position is $21.35 - $32.03 (Hourly Rate)

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Benefits:

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Description

This is a part-time, 20 hours per week, position located at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.

The  Anatomic Pathology Lab Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Anatomic Pathology Lab Assistant performs test procedures in a Clinical Laboratory and conveys the results to the Physician or designee in an accurate and timely manner for the purpose of patient diagnosis and treatment. The position is a vital link between the department and areas of patient care. The position acts as a primary contact for incoming phone calls, and must be able to effectively multi-task to perform duties simultaneously and participate in the Laboratories Occurrence Management Program.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receive Non Gynecological & Surgical specimens after verifying that specimen acceptance criteria have been met
• Assigns case accession numbers to Non Gynecological & Surgical specimens according to workflow procedure.
• Capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either correct the problem(s) or immediately notify the applicable supervisor, manager, or laboratory director.
• Responsible for the documentation of corrective actions when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications
• Orders referral testing in the LIS on Anatomic Pathology specimens according to procedure.
• Responsible for preparing, staining and cover-slipping, NGYN cytology and Surgical Frozen Section specimens.
• Tracks Specimen Retention under CAP guidelines
• Stocks client supplies and fills outreach supply when needed.
• Maintains a clean, orderly and well-supplied work area. This includes strict adherence to safety guidelines, general cleaning, reporting unsafe conditions, preparing reagents/stains and stocking supplies in the work area.
• Maintains and annually demonstrates proficiency in testing protocols and instrument operations.
• Participates in the orientation and competency assessment of fellow employees and students.
• Responsible for promoting and following established laboratory and hospital safety practices. Annually attends mandatory safety education reviews as specified in the laboratory policy manual
• Attends and participates in laboratory performance improvement activities and related initiatives.
• Responsible for attending and participating in section meetings and reading hospital and laboratory informational postings.
• Participates in educational seminars, workshops and continuing education programs to maintain and advance technical knowledge. Maintains an awareness of and applies age-related patient care protocols.
• Uses all available resources to resolve and prevent problems as demonstrated by:
  • Follows through and follows up on problem resolution
  • Involves all necessary parties in defining and solving problems
  • Seeks the necessary resources when problems are outside realm of control
  • Listens fully, and then verbalizes an understanding of issues and problems from other's point of view.
  • Manages personal emotional response to maintain professional demeanor and integrity.

Cytology Section Specific

• Tracks specimens into the laboratory and ensures specimens are ordered and collected appropriately. 
• May processes NGYN specimens, including manual preparation, and using the Thin Prep processor according to manufacturer and facility procedure.
• On-site adequacy service (FNA’s, EUS FNA’s, EBUS FNA’s, Ion FNA’s, Biopsy Touch Preps): Routinely stocks supply in all FNA service areas, including FNA carts and totes.
• May assists at FNA/biopsy procedures by reviewing patient clinical history, completing patient history form, preparing and staining slides, and controlling ultrasound machine for FNA’s performed by pathologist.
• May run and maintain automated equipment for specimen processing such as, but not limited to This Prep processor(s), centrifuges, microscopes and pipettes.
• Assists pathologists with the assessment of adequacy and determination of preliminary diagnosis
• Provides staff with appropriate specimen triage and collection information, as needed.

Histology Section Specific

• May prepare Histology Specimens for PA including addition of fixative and container conversion for appropriate processing
• May assists Pathologist with Frozen Section by processing and staining immediate slide evaluation in accordance with Frozen Section protocol.
• May appropriately order cassettes and transfers Frozen Section specimens from Cryostat to cassette for overnight processing. Confirms Frozen Section slides and charges in order entry and prints labels for immediate slides interpreted.
• May clean Anatomic Pathology equipment including but not limited to: cryostat, tissue processors, H&E stainers, IHC stainers, and documents QA
• Files blocks and slides
• May release slides to pathologists and/or perform digital pathology scanning

Performs other duties related, but not limited, to the above.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent 

Experience: 

• Computer experience using windows-based software. Knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy is necessary 

Preferred :

• Associates degree in related field
• Experience in preparing body fluid specimens including but not limited to GYN, & Non GYN Specimens
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a clinical setting 

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. 

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.