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Clinical Lab Assistant-Central Specimen Receiving, Full-time Night Shift

Northwestern Medicine · Chicago, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you made a data entry mistake. How did you catch it and fix it?

What they are checking: Whether they own errors and know that entry accuracy in the LIS directly affects patient results.

This is a 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. shift with a weekend and holiday rotation. How have you handled overnight work before?

What they are checking: Whether they have a realistic plan to stay alert and reliable on a permanent night schedule.

What would you do

A tube comes in with a label that doesn't match the requisition. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they follow rejection policy instead of guessing, since a mislabeled sample can harm a patient.

A nurse calls upset that a stat result isn't back yet. How do you handle the call?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm, track down the specimen, and give the nurse a clear answer.

You're not sure whether a sample type is acceptable for the test that's ordered. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they ask the right person rather than guessing, which the posting describes as using resources.

About the work

Walk me through what you check when a specimen arrives before you receive it into the LIS.

What they are checking: Whether they verify labeling, container, volume, and order match before a bad sample gets into testing.

How do you decide which specimens go to which testing area first when a big batch arrives at 2 a.m.?

What they are checking: Whether they know which tests are time sensitive, like stats or samples that must be spun or chilled fast.

What is a waived test, and what do you need to get right when you perform one?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that even simple tests need correct technique and documentation under CLS direction.

How do you register a home health specimen drop-off so nothing gets lost?

What they are checking: Whether they handle outside specimens carefully, since those have more chances for missing information.

How do you protect yourself when handling blood and body fluid specimens all night?

What they are checking: Whether they consistently follow safety and PPE practices around biohazards.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Clinical Lab Assistant I 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. Scheduling: This position is regularly scheduled to work full-time, 40 hours weekly, on the overnight shift. Shift times are subject to change based upon departmental/patient care needs. However, this position is currently anticipated to work from 10pm-6:30am. There is also a weekend and holiday rotation associated with this role. Responsibilities: • Collaborate with the main lab staff, other ancillary departments, departments, nurses and providers to ensure excellent patient care. • Receives specimens into the laboratory information system. • Inputs and retrieves lab results in laboratory or hospital computer system. • Register specimen dropoffs (e.g. Home health) in LIS assuring accurate data entry. • Distributes specimens to the appropriate testing area. • Identifies and solves problems utilizing appropriate resources with the assistance of a supervisor, manager, pathologist and/or coworkers when appropriate. • Accurately performs waived testing under the direction of CLS as applicable • Ensures appropriate sample type received for testing ordered, including appropriate container, volume. • Communicates specimen rejections, critical/notifiable results to appropriate clinical personnel and completes required documentation. • May review/record refrigerator temperature(s) and QC/QA records. Areas of concern are recorded through the Corrective Action Log and reported to maintenance for repair. • Adheres to lab procedures with following up on outstanding orders including time-sensitive draws/charges • Pull AP slides for second opinion requests and log material back into Epic when material is returned • Answers phone calls to the laboratory and triages appropriately • Coordinates courier pickups as needed. Department Specific: • May perform phlebotomy and other lab specimen collections per age related standards as required Required: • High School Diploma Preferred: • 1 year of experience in a general lab, specimen processing or phlebotomy department 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 NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits 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.

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