Clinical Laboratory Scientist

  • Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
  • Itasca, Illinois
  • Full Time
Overview

Join our mission to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation. Our Clinical Laboratory Scientists are responsible for performing laboratory testing, quality control procedures, and maintenance of equipment and work area. Our lab performs HLA typing by real time PCR and third generation sequencing, solid phase antibody testing, flow cytometric cross-match, a variety of infectious disease testing and organ biopsy in support of organ donation and transplantation.

Compensation range for this position: $32.20 - $33.30 per hour

Our Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

  • Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance options for full-time employees
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan
  • 403(b) retirement plan with company match
  • Tuition Reimbursement up to the IRS-allowed maximum
  • Personalized learning and educational development opportunities
  • Monthly cell phone and internet stipends
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Annual Employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Accounts to support wellness needs
  • Support and counseling for personal, work financial or family needs through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and our partnership with Critical Incident Stress Consultants (CISC)
Responsibilities

Essential Functions

The following essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

  • Advance Gift of Hopes mission, vision and core values: providing compassionate service, contributing to outstanding teams and engaging as one of our passionate people committed to a positive culture that

    respects the dignity and worth of each individual. Adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

  • Participate in a regular shift rotation with some weekend and holidays.
  • The greatest need is for 2nd or 3rd shift, and flexibility to meet clinical demand is essential.
  • Perform high complexity testing including, but not limited to, HLA typing, flow cytometry and serology crossmatching, HLA antibody screening, ABO typing and infectious disease testing
  • Document test results and all pertinent information; interpret different and complex reaction patterns; identify probable causes for any irregular or atypical test results
  • Correctly communicate results to internal and external customers including clinicians, transplant coordinators, and other OPO personnel
  • Enter/retrieve/transmit test data into laboratory information systems
  • Freeze cells and sera from donors for retrospective testing
  • Process blood samples received from patients waiting for a transplant
  • Prepare mailers (tubes, labels and dialysis lists) for dialysis centers and patient homes for collection of monthly samples
  • Prepare reagents required to perform analysis and ensure reagents are available and usable
  • Set up and monitor equipment required to perform tests
  • Maintain established preventive maintenance schedules for assigned equipment
  • Adjust and calibrate assigned equipment
  • Maintain quality control records and logs; prepare, record and store data for future reference
  • Monitor supply levels to ensure adequate levels are maintained
  • Perform daily temperature checks of laboratory equipment
  • Maintain cleanliness of work area per laboratory standards
  • Participation in process improvement initiatives strongly encouraged
  • Complete continuing education
  • Other duties as assigned
Qualifications

Education and Training Required

The following identifies the minimum education and training required to perform the essential functions of the job.

  • Bachelor's degree in one of the biological, chemical and/or clinical laboratory sciences, medical technology or a related field

Experience and Skills Required

The following indicates the minimum skills and experience required to perform the essential functions of the job.

  • Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Ability to communicate in an effective manner and work effectively with others
  • Familiarity with procedures for quality control of reagents and maintenance of equipment
  • Ability to learn and apply new testing methods, processes and equipment introduced into the lab
  • Ability to conduct multiple tests simultaneously
  • Ability to prioritize tasks
  • Strong attention to detail to conduct and read tests
  • Analytical skills to interpret test results and identify atypical results

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

  • Ability to function in a laboratory environment
  • Ability to stand, sit, bend, stoop and kneel to perform job duties
  • Ability to work outside normal business hours to participate in off-shift work schedule covering weekends and holidays
  • Fine motor skills to conduct tests and repair equipment
  • Visual acuity to read and record test results and conduct equipment maintenance

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that will be encountered by an employee while performing the essential functions of the job.

  • Clinical laboratory
  • Required to use PPE while conducting tests
  • Off-shift, weekend and holiday work schedule

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and does not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, military or veteran status, family medical history or genetic information or any other classification protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on an individuals job-related qualifications and abilities.

Job ID: 477962862
Originally Posted on: 5/21/2025

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