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Lab Specimen Processor-Part-time Nights

Northwestern Medicine · Winfield, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 24, 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 job where attention to detail really mattered. How did you avoid mistakes?

What they are checking: Whether they have concrete habits for accuracy, which the posting calls critical.

This is 20 hours a week on third shift. How do you plan to handle overnight work?

What they are checking: Whether they can reliably cover a night shift where the lab is short-staffed.

Tell me about a time you were given instructions you did not fully understand. What did you do?

What they are checking: Willingness to ask questions rather than guess, which matters when specimens cannot be recollected easily.

What would you do

A specimen arrives at 2 a.m. with a label that does not match the requisition. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and follow the rejection or correction process instead of guessing which patient it belongs to.

The ED sends a stack of STAT specimens while routine outpatient work is piling up. How do you order your work?

What they are checking: Prioritizing by patient urgency, which on nights often means ED and ICU specimens first.

A nurse calls, frustrated that a result is not back yet. How do you handle the call?

What they are checking: Customer service with clinical staff, including tracking down the specimen instead of just apologizing.

About the work

Walk me through what happens to a tube from the time it arrives at your bench until it reaches the right analyzer.

What they are checking: Basic understanding of receiving, centrifuging, aliquoting, labeling and routing specimens.

How do you know whether a specimen needs to be spun, kept cold, protected from light or tested right away?

What they are checking: Knowing that handling requirements affect results, and checking the procedure when unsure.

Have you used a hospital or lab computer system like an LIS? What did you do in it?

What they are checking: Comfort with order entry and tracking in the HIS and LIS systems this role depends on.

What safety habits do you use when handling blood and body fluid specimens?

What they are checking: Understanding of standard precautions, PPE and what to do after a spill or exposure.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

This is a part-time, 20 hours per week, third shift position located at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. The Lab Specimen Processor 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 specimen processor is responsible and accountable for receiving, processing, labeling, distributing specimens, and performing non-high complexity testing as required. The position requires a thorough understanding of laboratory specimens as well as the HIS/LIS computer systems. The Processor will be required to perform customer service duties and other clerical duties as the job dictates. Required: • Maintain organization of work while multi-tasking. • Attention to detail critical. • Must be able to follow instructions. • High school graduate or equivalent. 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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