Lab Operations Manager

Overview

A Laboratory Manager provides leadership, development, and fiscal management to multi-disciplinary clinical services.  They are accountable for the development, maintenance, and documentation of all process improvement and quality assurance initiatives within their area of responsibility.   They assist with leadership of the Laboratory department services in collaboration with the Director.  They work cooperatively with other Laboratory team members and with departments and individuals outside the Laboratory.

Responsibilities

Develops and maintains professional staff members in various clinical disciplines at all facilities.

Makes recommendations to the Administrative Director, Administrative Supervisors and Technical Specialists on indicators and/or measures of quality, operational efficiency and improvement of processes. Seeks to align indicators with strategic and/or operational initiatives.

Answers customer questions concerning their areas of responsibility, investigates customer complaints and initiates corrective actions when appropriate.

As required, monitors and/or prepares and submits reports pertaining to process improvement and laboratory compliance to the Administrative Director, other Laboratory Managers and the Administrative Supervisors.

Supports the Administrative Supervisors and Technical Specialists in maintaining a robust process improvement program. Provides instruction, consultation and documentation – in the form of policies and procedures – as necessary.

Maintains an up-to-date laboratory compliance plan that is representative of current regulatory requirements. Works with the System Compliance Officer to ensure laboratory billing is accurate.  Assists the Administrative Director and Laboratory leadership in maintaining an accurate system for tracking costs.

Coordinates quality management in meeting customer expectations at all levels.

Reviews professional journals, attends workshops, seminars and lectures to remain current in technical knowledge.

Provides input to the Administrative Director for the annual Laboratory operational budget. Reviews and justifies variances when appropriate.  Makes recommendations and provides supporting documentation and justification for capital equipment.

Actively participates with other Laboratory leadership in Laboratory strategic planning, goal definition and problem resolution. Assists in aligning Laboratory goals to the organizational goals and strategies of customer service, operational excellence and growth. 

Communicates issues and concerns with all customers through appropriate media (memorandums, email, staff meetings and direct conversation).

Maintains records and statistics to comply with all pertinent regulatory agencies.

Serves in the capacity of director in the Director’s absence.

Select, interview, hire and retain employees. (i.e., recruit, select, placement, orientation, training, development, evaluation of performance)

Execute progressive discipline up to and including termination.

Approve payroll and is responsible for accurate payment to employees, including other management positions.

Manage departmental productivity standards.

Provide strategic leadership for department(s).

Evaluation, procurement and maintenance of equipment and supplies.

Maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice for all age specific groups served.

Plan, develop and maintain performance improvement activities and educational programs for patients and employees.

Comply with accreditation agency standards, FDA, CLIA and other regulatory entities as required.

Work effectively with pathologists and other MDs in providing high-quality, timely lab results.

Work with CPOE and Quality staff as needed to ensure lab ease of use and quality outcomes.

Perform long-range planning and overall direction setting at the department level.

Actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.

Adhere to infection control and safety practices according to policies and procedures.

Perform compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook

Responsible for development, implementation and interpretation of system policies within a major organizational/functional area or the development and review of system policies within a recognized discipline.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum education is a baccalaureate degree in clinical laboratory science or biological science, with certification as a clinical laboratory scientist or medical technologist by one of the nationally recognized certification agencies: American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) preferred; the American Medical Technologist (AMT) acceptable. Certification as a medical laboratory technician may be acceptable with applicable job experience and education, with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in a biological science.

At least five years of experience in a clinical laboratory setting is required with 3 years of laboratory supervision/management preferred. Demonstrated systems integration experience.

Abilities are demonstrated in areas of assigned responsibilities by successful completion of annual laboratory competency testing.  Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

. WORK CONTEXT

• Must be extremely accurate under moderate time restraints
• Must be able to work with disease causing agents
• Must be able to actively participate in conflict resolutions within the department and with those served by the department.
• Must communicate on multiple platforms.
• Must be working with people closely most of the time
• Must be able to flex their schedule to meet the varying needs of patient care.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
• The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

·         The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness

• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

OTHER JOB FACTORS

• Must be able to achieve work with minimal supervision.
• Must complete assigned tasks independently and within time expectations or involve the team in a support process.
• Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Frequent interaction with others in the Laboratory and other departments in person, by telephone or by email, to resolve issues with patient care that are impacted by laboratory testing.