Phlebotomy Apprentice, Nursing Phlebotomy Department - Any Shift

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, University of Chicago Medicine, as a Phlebotomy Apprentice within the Nursing Phlebotomy department. In this role, you will enroll and participate in a full-time Phlebotomy training program, in partnership with Valparaiso University, to earn your Phlebotomy certification and transition into a permanent Phlebotomy position within the health system. At UChicago Medicine, quality diagnostic testing is coupled with exceptional customer service. Our laboratory provides a full array of testing services. During your training, you will be responsible for drawing blood at UChicago Medicine under supervision.

This is an “earn while you learn” program, where you will receive an hourly wage while you complete the required courses within the Phlebotomy Technician program. Tuition costs will also be covered by UChicago Medicine. Phlebotomy apprentices will be expected to gain the skillset required for a full-time Phlebotomist role through on-the-job experience and job-related classroom/academic training.

Upon successful completion of the program and meeting the program’s success criteria, you will be awarded a permanent position within the Nursing Phlebotomy department. This position is a 100% onsite opportunity. You will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

Program Requirements

• Complete Valparaiso University’s full-time, 6-week Phlebotomy Technician program (total of 206 hours);  Complete relevant coursework and homework, including:
• 70 hours of lecture through Valparaiso University’s Phlebotomy Technician program
• 30 hours of skills-lab through Valparaiso University’s Phlebotomy Technician program
• Perform at least 100 unaided documented venipunctures and skin punctures with expertise and in a customer service-oriented fashion, adhering to all established policies and procedures
• Properly package specimens for delivery through pneumatic tube system and hand-deliver as required
• Provides collection instructions to patient and receive self-collected samples (i.e urine samples)
• Check-in patients and assist to draw room as needed
• Stocks blood drawing area/carts and keeps areas clean, safe, and sterile
• Complete 100 hours of clinical hours through Valparaiso University’s Phlebotomy Technician program, on-site at UChicago Medicine’s Hyde Park campus. Activities include, but are not limited to:
• Assisting in the resolution of patient order issues, communication of collection issues with appropriate clinic staff, and interactions involving other staff, while maintaining exceptional customer service
• Upon successful completion of the 6-week Valparaiso program, apprentices will be eligible for and expected to obtain ASCP PBT certification. Upon ASCP certification, apprentices will receive a permanent offer and 2-year work commitment at UChicago Medicine as a certified Phlebotomist 

Role Responsibilities

• Apprentices draw blood under the supervision of a Valparaiso instructor and a UCM phlebotomist preceptor
• Inpatient apprentices perform blood collections in the adult, non-critical care units of Mitchell and CCD using Epic Beaker Rover
• Outpatient apprentices perform blood collections on patients of all ages in the DCAM and Comer II using Epic Beaker, administer glucose tolerance testing, provide instruction for urine collection, and assist patients to the draw room as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications 

• High School diploma or GED
• Motivation and interest in a healthcare career, specifically interest in Phlebotomy
• Comfortable around blood, blood collection and clinical instruments
• Determination to learn and grow as a professional in a clinical setting
• Strong communication skills, specifically giving and receiving feedback, knowing when and how to escalate issues, closing the loop on tasks, updates and conversations, being clear and respectful, and asking clarifying questions
• Passion and willingness to learn
• Proactive and autonomous when required
• Strong problem-solver
• Receptive to feedback
• Customer service driven 

Relevant industry-specific skills, including: 

• Ability to follow directions and established procedures with attention to detail
• Demonstrate ability to utilize institutional computer systems
• Demonstrate ability to interact effectively with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare workers
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required; ability to work well with patients
• Ability to complete tasks with accuracy and document appropriately
• Ability to perform in stressful situations; handle large volumes of patients within narrow timeframes
• Ability to stand, stoop, push, lift and walk distances up to 6 city blocks in length
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environment 

Position Details 

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time (1.0)
• Shift: Any Shift  
• Work Location:  Hyde Park & Valparaiso University Downtown Campus
• Unit/Department: Nursing Phlebotomy Department
• CBA Code: Non-Union 

In this role, we anticipate that you will generally work approximately 40 hours per week.  We anticipate you will be scheduled to work 100% at the Hyde Park campus after the completion of your Valparaiso University program, and you can be placed on any shift.  You will not be scheduled for on-call shifts. The days of the week that you are scheduled will vary depending on the week, but we anticipate that you will be scheduled to work on weekends (Saturday and/or Sunday) only every

We’ve been at the forefront of medicine since 1899. We provide superior healthcare with compassion, always mindful that each patient is a person, an individual. To accomplish this, we need employees with passion, talent and commitment… with patients and with each other. We’re in this together: working to advance medical innovation, serve the health needs of the community, and move our collective knowledge forward. If you’d like to add enriching human life to your profile, UChicago Medicine is for you. Here at the forefront, we’re doing work that really matters. Join us. Bring your passion.

UChicago Medicine is growing; discover how you can be a part of this pursuit of excellence at: UChicago Medicine Career Opportunities.

UChicago Medicine is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.

Must comply with UChicago Medicine’s COVID-19 Vaccination requirement as a condition of employment. If you have already received the vaccination, you must provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. This is in addition to your compliance with the Flu Vaccination requirement as well. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered consistent with applicable law. Lastly, a pre-employment physical, drug screening, and background check are also required for all employees prior to hire.

Compensation & Benefits Overview

UChicago Medicine is committed to transparency in compensation and benefits.  The pay range provided reflects the anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position.

The pay range is based on a full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) and is reflective of current market data, reviewed on an annual basis. Compensation offered at the time of hire will vary based on candidate qualifications and experience and organizational considerations, such as internal equity. Pay ranges for employees subject to Collective Bargaining Agreements are negotiated by the medical center and their respective union.

Review the full complement of benefit options for eligible roles at Benefits - UChicago Medicine.