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Physician: Pathology: Medical Director - McHenry and Huntley, IL

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

Posted Sep 17, 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 planning work you have contributed to.

What they are checking: The posting names participating in institutional and departmental planning activities.

What would you want to know about turnaround times and the case mix here?

What they are checking: The posting leaves both out and they decide what the job is really like.

What would you do

A result goes out wrong and reaches a patient. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: The moment a medical director is actually needed and the response defines the laboratory's culture.

How do you balance your own sign-out load against directing the service?

What they are checking: A working medical director has two jobs and the second is rarely scheduled.

How would you work across two hospital laboratories?

What they are checking: The posting names McHenry and Huntley together.

How do you work with laboratory managers and scientists who are not physicians?

What they are checking: The laboratory is run day to day by people the director does not line manage.

About the work

Tell me about your pathology practice and any laboratory leadership you have done.

What they are checking: The posting is a medical director role over pathology clinical services.

What does ensuring the proper functioning of a clinical laboratory actually involve?

What they are checking: The posting states that purpose plainly and the answer separates a director from a pathologist.

Which regulations govern a clinical laboratory, and how do you stay current on them?

What they are checking: The posting names maintaining knowledge of federal, state and local laws for the area of responsibility.

How do you prepare a laboratory for an inspection?

What they are checking: The posting names interacting with government and regulatory bodies.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Medical Director, Pathology, embraces the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial Healthcare Corporation, adheres to the organizational Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and other regulatory and accreditation standards. The purpose of the position is to ensure the proper functioning of all aspects of Pathology Clinical Services as outlined below. The Medical Director is responsible for achieving operating goals as agreed upon and assures necessary collaboration between all Pathologists where / when appropriate. The position also includes oversight of appropriate educational, academic, and clinical activities involving Pathology services. Finally, the Medical Director of Pathology Clinical Services partners with physician and nursing leaders to advance quality strategies, ensure a professional work environment, facilitate timelines of services, and enhance patient satisfaction. Specific Duties: • Maintain and demonstrate knowledge of NMHC policies and standards that apply to the position’s areas of responsibility. • Maintain knowledge of the federal, state, and local laws that apply to the position’s area of responsibility and interact with government or regulatory agencies when appropriate. • Participate in Institutional and Departmental planning activities. • Participate in conferences, symposiums, workshops, continuing education programs, and Departmental staff meetings. • Be accountable for meeting mutually determined Hospital and Departmental goals. • Provide leadership and coordinate professional staffing to provide adequate medical coverage across Pathology Services. • Supervise professional staffing (pathologists, where / when appropriate) of the laboratory, provide training and assess competency of the staff in their respective roles. • In conjunction with the Lab Administrative Director(s), provide leadership for the laboratory, developing and approving standards of lab practice to ensure quality laboratory services across all aspects of test performance, including pre-analytics, analytics, and post-analytics pahses of testing. - Completion of United States based residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology - Eligible for an unrestricted medical license in the state of Illinois Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer 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. 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 In addition to competitive compensation, we offer an excellent benefits package. This includes a continuing medical education allowance, paid time off, well-being fund, 401k, paid parental leave, malpractice insurance and much more. Moreover, we will provide financial stability and administrative support so you can focus on your passion – practicing medicine. Please click here to learn more about benefits.

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