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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Phlebotomist Lead - Inpatient, Full-Time, Nights

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

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

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 led peers who used to be your coworkers.

What they are checking: Whether they can set expectations with former peers while keeping trust.

How do you communicate with the shift supervisor about problems during the night?

What they are checking: Whether they keep leaders informed without waiting for issues to grow.

Tell me about a time you improved how a team worked.

What they are checking: Whether they look for better ways to organize the work.

What would you do

As a working lead on nights, how do you balance your own draws with organizing the team?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead and still carry their share of the collection work.

A team member keeps making labeling errors. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can coach and use a performance plan while keeping patient safety first.

Several staff call out and the 4 a.m. draw list is huge. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can reassign work and prioritize timed and stat draws.

A nurse complains that phlebotomy keeps missing timed draws on their unit. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they solve problems across departments instead of getting defensive.

About the work

How do you teach a new phlebotomist to handle difficult inpatient draws?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach technique clearly and build confidence safely.

What do you look for when helping hire a phlebotomist?

What they are checking: Whether they can judge skill and reliability, since they help with hiring.

How do you keep the order of draw and patient ID standards consistent across a team?

What they are checking: Whether they enforce the habits that prevent lab errors.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Lead 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. • Under the leadership of the Supervisor/Manager the Lead Phlebotomist is responsible for the day to day performance, organization, and scheduling of staff assigned to centralized phlebotomy. The Lead Phlebotomist has responsibility to ensure that services provided in the department section meet customer expectations, and laboratory policies. Communication with shift supervisors, and other hospital/laboratory staff is expected in order to ensure teamwork. In addition, the Lead Phlebotomist, in conjunction with the Supervisor is responsible for gathering information and assisting in staff development and training. The Lead Phlebotomist is a working Lead, dividing time in the performance of services specific to phlebotomy duties. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Assists in the hiring, training, and evaluation for phlebotomy service personnel. • Teaches phlebotomy procedures to less-skilled personnel. • Provides coaching and performance improvement plans for Team members that are not meeting standards. • Assists with communication and problem solving both intra- and interdepartmentally. • Performs all the duties of a phlebotomist. • Assists in providing for adequate staffing for phlebotomy services. • Provides coverage during phlebotomy absences and vacations. • Assists with revising and updating the phlebotomy training program. • Assists with maintaining and writing policies and procedures relating to phlebotomy services. Minimum Requirements: Education: • High School diploma or equivalent Certification: • PBT (ASCP) or equivalent certification. Experience: • One year experience • Previous supervisory skills 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.