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Phlebotomist - Inpatient, Full-Time, Days

Northwestern Medicine · Chicago, IL · Full 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 time you caught a labeling or specimen error before it reached the lab.

What they are checking: Whether they double-check their own work, which prevents wrong results tied to the wrong patient.

Tell me about working nights with little supervision. How do you stay accurate?

What they are checking: Whether they keep their standards up when fewer people are around to catch mistakes.

What would you do

How do you use AIDET when you walk into a sleeping patient's room at 4 a.m.?

What they are checking: Whether they can apply the hospital's communication model kindly during night rounds.

You've stuck a patient twice with no success. What do you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they follow the limit on attempts and escalate instead of continuing to stick the patient.

An order looks incomplete or doesn't match the patient's chart. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they verify physician orders before collecting rather than drawing and sorting it out later.

You have a list of timed draws and stat orders on several floors. How do you plan your route?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize stat and timed specimens so results reach doctors when needed.

What do you do if a patient refuses the blood draw?

What they are checking: Whether they respect patient rights, try to understand the concern and notify the nurse.

About the work

Walk me through how you identify a patient before drawing blood on an inpatient unit.

What they are checking: Whether they use two identifiers and the wristband every time, the core safety step in phlebotomy.

What is the order of draw, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Whether they know how additive carryover between tubes can produce wrong lab results.

How do you draw from a patient who is a hard stick, such as an elderly or dehydrated patient?

What they are checking: Whether they have real technique for difficult veins rather than only routine draws.

How do you handle specimens that need special handling, like those kept on ice or protected from light?

What they are checking: Whether they know processing steps that keep specimens valid until testing.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Phlebotomist 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 Phlebotomist provides expert phlebotomy services and must demonstrate excellent customer service and communication skills. The phlebotomist must have the ability to function as part of a highly effective team that consistently puts “Patients First”. The Phlebotomist is responsible for venipuncture collection and specimen processing. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to order entry in multiple systems, verification of test result receipt, patient information retrieval and lab reception/clerical duties and functions Responsibilities: · Performs phlebotomy and other lab specimen collections per age related standards and in accordance with departmental policies, protocols and procedures. · Demonstrates AIDET model and optimizes patient safety to reduce the likelihood of medical/health care errors. · Receives and reviews physician orders; ensures that all necessary information is included for appropriate lab services. Enters accurate orders for lab tests in accordance with department policies, protocols and procedures. · Patient communication model and provides appropriate post-phlebotomy patient care. · Processes specimens in a timely manner to ensure stability and integrity of samples including labeling, centrifuging, aliquoting, freezing and packaging specimens for transport in accordance with established protocols and policies. · Reviews/Records refrigerator temperature(s) and QC/QA records. Areas of concern are recorded through the Corrective Action Log and reported to maintenance for repair. Findings are reported to supervisor or manager. · Understands the operation and maintenance of equipment pertinent to the job. Follows up with all outstanding orders on manifest log, and communicates all timed, completed or uncompleted draws/charges/results as appropriate · Communicates and notifies Laboratory and/or Physician of problems with specimen procurement for optimal care · Maintains a safe work environment, holds self-accountable for safe work practices; including adhering to biohazard waste procedures and ensuring proper storage and timely pickup of biohazardous waste. · Performs lab-related clerical duties include but not limited to order entry, verification of test result receipt, patient information retrieval as well as utilization of email, medical record systems, handheld and desktop devices, ordering and maintaining supply inventory, filing and sanitizing equipment as necessary · Uses department’s resources efficiently; participates in efforts to reduce costs and streamline work processes. · Adheres to continuing education expectations; completes and signs-off on competency assessments · Demonstrates the value of teamwork on a consistent basis; interacts with and assists others in a professional manner · Applies critical thinking, sound decision making and judgment to investigate and resolve challenging situations · Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices. · Performs other duties as assigned Minimum Requirements: Education: • High School diploma or equivalent. Certification: • ·Phlebotomy certification through a nationally recognized organization or training from a phlebotomy school or medical institution or one or more years of phlebotomy experience in a healthcare setting or CMA certification. Preferred : · Experience performing phlebotomy on a broad range of patient’s types. · Experience with processing lab specimens, transferring specimens, and handling a centrifuge. · Familiar with medical EMR systems. · Knowledge of medical terminology. 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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