Extra Help - Medical Laboratory Assistant I - Labs/Pathology Services

Extra Help - Medical Laboratory Assistant I - Labs/Pathology Services

This Position is temporary and limited to 900 hours.

Hiring Department: Labs/Pathology Services

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1042670

Hours per Week: 20

# of Positions: 1

Workplace Type: On-Site

Posting Close Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026

Salary: The range for this position is $21.56 to $22.22 per hour.

About the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital and outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Position Summary

The Extra Help Medical Laboratory Assistant I involves the performance of simple and routine laboratory tasks which are preparatory to or auxiliary to medical laboratory tests and examinations. Specific tasks might include cleaning and sterilizing laboratory supplies and instruments, preparing solutions, reagents and media following standard laboratory formulas, separating plasma from whole blood, using a centrifuge, and collecting blood specimens. In the Digital Pathology and Histology unit, tasks may include receiving, organizing, and distributing slides and blocks across various Pathology units. Maintaining clean work areas, monitoring supplies, and organizing space as needed. Entering patient, clinician, and slide information into LIS for tracking.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Organize slides and blocks after sectioning.
• Prepare and deliver slides to Pathologists across various locations on West Campus, and retrieve completed slides from various Pathologist locations daily.
• File and retrieve slides and blocks using both the ARCOS & ARCOS SL software and manual archiving methods.
• Review all requisitions, labels, and documents for accuracy and vital information (e.g. stat, fax results, etc.) and take action when such information is incomplete or incorrect.
• Separate, escalate, and report problem cases. Store problem cases away from all others for proper follow up activities.
• Maintain a clean working area in Histology, Digital Pathology, and all other areas of work.
• Dispose of slides and blocks in accordance with OSHA, CAP, and Department standards.
• Maintain reagents, supplies, equipment, etc. in Histology and Digital Pathology.
• Answer phone calls in the laboratory areas.
• Maintain eyewash logs, temperature logs, and others as assigned.
• Take inventory as needed and prepare supply orders for items needed in the area.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Knowledge of basic arithmetic operations and their applications.
2. Knowledge of applicable safety requirements.
3. Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
4. Ability to exhibit strong organizational skills and maintain detailed, accurate records.
5. Ability to work successfully as a team member and independently with moderate supervision.
6. Ability to understand and follow instructions.
7. Ability to exert muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

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.