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Medical Laboratory Scientist(MLS/MLT) Microbiology

HSHS · Springfield, IL · $29.55–$44.32 an hour · Full time

Posted Aug 7, 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 found a mistake in a result after it was released. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they correct results openly and notify the provider, which protects patients.

Tell me about a time you explained a microbiology result to a provider who was confused by it.

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate clearly with clinicians who depend on lab data for treatment.

What would you do

You read a Gram stain that doesn't match what grows on the plates. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they investigate the mismatch and recheck before reporting results.

You're working the weekend and the bench is backed up. How do you prioritize?

What they are checking: Whether they put critical specimens like blood cultures and CSF ahead of routine work.

About the work

Walk me through how you work up a positive blood culture.

What they are checking: Whether they know the Gram stain, critical call and identification steps, since sepsis treatment depends on them.

How do you decide whether growth on a urine or wound culture is clinically significant or likely contamination?

What they are checking: Whether they apply judgment and colony counts instead of working up everything.

How do you report a multidrug-resistant organism like MRSA, VRE or a CRE?

What they are checking: Whether they understand reporting to infection prevention and public health, not just the provider.

What safety practices do you follow when you suspect an organism that is a lab hazard?

What they are checking: Whether they know biosafety cabinet use and when to stop and refer, protecting themselves and coworkers.

How do you keep antimicrobial susceptibility testing accurate, and what QC do you rely on?

What they are checking: Whether they understand QC strains and breakpoints that make susceptibility results trustworthy.

What automated systems or molecular methods have you used in micro?

What they are checking: Whether they can work with modern identification tools and learn the systems this lab uses.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by HSHS.

Pay Range: $29.55 - $44.32 A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education. HSHS is seeking an MLS/MLS in Microbiology. This position is responsible for conducting a variety of tests on patient samples (blood, various body fluids, cells, and tissue, etc.) to detect the presence or absence of health conditions. Using biomedical instrumentation, microscopes, and computers to study samples obtained from patients, the Medical Laboratory Scientist provides data to physicians and health care providers for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Position Specifics: o Department: Laboratory o Core Function: Laboratory o Schedule: Full time, 40 hrs/wk, Hours- 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM, Monday-Friday, Every other weekend o Facility: Springfield - St. John's Hospital o Location: Springfield, IL Compensation that aligns with your experience Education Qualifications • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), accredited Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) program OR Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and bachelor's degree with 2 years full time lab experience in an accredited lab. Experience Qualifications • Experience in an accredited lab is preferred. Certifications, Licenses and Registrations • Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Technologist or eligibility for certification by a nationally recognized certifying agency such as:• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)• National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA)• American Medical Technologies (AMT)• Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) • or other laboratory certifying agency is required. Colleagues hired prior to January 1, 2020 are exempt from this requirement. • Certification must be received within 180 days of hire.Physician Enterprise: Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification is preferred. Job Description Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day. Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a health care system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments. Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient. Benefits: HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits. • Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues. • Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need. • Retirement benefits including HSHS contributions. • Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period. • Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more! • Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more! Benefits HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants. Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions. These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS. Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org

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