Assistant Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Technical Supervisor, provides leadership in administrative and technical functions for area of responsibility to assist in fulfillment of department's mission.

Position: Assistant Supervisor, Lab,

Department: Microbiology Lab   

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Reviews testing results generated by staff or procedures performed by staff for completeness and accuracy.  Provides leadership to attain a technically sound and patient focused laboratory.

Reviews laboratory results for clerical and technical accuracy, completeness, appropriate coded comments or free text, and clinical correlation as defined by standard operating procedure.  This includes review of such reports as: completed worksheet logs, list hold results, work cards, culture result review report, etc.

Reviews and releases automated and manual entry reference laboratory test results for accuracy, completeness, appropriate coded comments or free text as defined by standard operating procedure.

Reviews and releases quarantined donor blood into inventory as defined by standard operating procedure to ensure no inappropriate blood released into inventory.

Provides technically sound, accurate, patient focused testing by providing leadership and assisting staff in: prioritizing of STAT and routine samples; verification of specimen identification; ensuring appropriateness of sample for requested testing; ensuring quality and quantity of sample; ensuring correct and appropriate accessioning, testing or allocating is performed; documenting appropriate steps taken to resolve mislabeled/unlabeled or inappropriate samples; investigating, documenting and resolving aberrant or inconsistent test results; proper Laboratory Information System documentation and use of coded comments; ensuring that Critical Alert Values and call backs are performed and documented appropriately; maintaining reagent and supply inventories, including blood and components for transfusion, at adequate levels; ensuring, through assignments or delegation, that work is completed and/or accounted for; reviewing pending logs, problem/variance logs and overdue test logs.

Assists supervisor in insuring that instrumentation and equipment maintenance is performed according to standard operating procedure.  Recognizes and resolves problems/discrepancies within abilities.  Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate.  Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.

Proper performance, delegation, utilization and review of Quality Control Procedures according to standard operating procedure.  Recognizes and resolves problems/discrepancies within abilities. Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate.  Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.

Assists supervisor in assessing all results with respect to Quality Control.  Ensures that results are correct for the sample and patient.  Ensures that additional testing is performed for identification and/or verification of results as appropriate.  Recognizes and resolves problems/discrepancies within abilities. Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate.  Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.

Recognizes technical and non-technical problems/discrepancies in laboratory operations.  Resolves problems consistent with experience. Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate.  Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.

Provides a leadership role in creating a team approach to ensure that the section is able to adhere to states TAT as defined by each section.

Assists supervisor in implementation of new instruments, methodologies and tests to enhance laboratory operations.  Assists supervisor in training staff in new methodologies.

Assists supervisor in maintaining the policy and Procedure Manuals, Standard Operating Manuals and Quality Control Manuals in compliance with all regulatory agencies.  Facilitates documentation of annual staff review.

Provides leadership role in promoting flexibility of staff to accept changes of duty, situation and/or schedule to enhance productivity of the department.

Ensures smooth and efficient operations of the department with a minimum of direction from the supervisor.

Shows initiative in realizing efficient operations by: accepting, volunteering or assigning duties to ensure efficient operations; adjusting daily schedule as necessary to meet fluctuations in human resources; suggesting and developing new ideas, which result in enhanced operations; acting as a resource for the section; assuming general technical responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the section in the absence of the supervisor.  Initiates problem solving process and provides solutions within abilities.  Obtains help in problem resolution as appropriate.  Informs supervisor of all major problems or discrepancies.

Participates as an effective member of the department.  Promotes effective relationships with all hospital personnel as part of the hospital’s commitment to quality patient care.

Actively seeks and effectively participates in Quality Advancement/Improvement activities according to standard operating procedure.

Supervisory responsibilities: assists the supervisor and in the supervisor’s absence assumes all of the supervisor’s responsibilities with regard to the human and physical resources of the laboratory to provide quality laboratory services.

Interviews appropriate candidates in the selection process to maintain desired staff in accordance with departmental specifications for the position(s) being considered.

Coordinates and oversees the technical and orientation training of departmental staff members, including new employees.  Assists supervisor in ensuring the completeness of training and competency of staff on a yearly basis.

Provides objective input for staff evaluations, through review of worksheets, logs, pheresis sheets, and other documentation.  Maintains documentation of technical problems.

Assists supervisor in providing counseling and enforcing disciplinary actions consistent with hospital and departmental policies and procedures.  Maintains documentation of personnel problems.

Creates and posts workday schedules one month in advance.  Workstation schedules are planned and posted two weeks in advance.

Manages administrative problems in the absence of the supervisor.

Accurately documents staff attendance for compliance with hospital and departmental policies and for payroll purposes.

Performs and interprets routine and highly complex testing.

Ensures accurate specimen processing and handling by prioritization of STAT and routine samples.

Ensures accurate specimen identification through verification of specimen labeling in a manner consistent with section and departmental standard operating procedure.

Ensures appropriateness of sample for requested testing, obtains approval for testing which deviates from standard operating procedure and follows up with notification to patient care unit and documentation in Laboratory Information System.

Ensures sample testing is performed within the defined time periods for each test type based on specimen, viability as outline in section specific policies and procedures.

Ensures that prepared samples are stored according to standard operating procedure .

Initiates appropriate action and documents steps taken to resolve mislabeled/unlabeled or inappropriate specimens ion a manner consistent with departmental service mission.

After identifying labeling problems or discrepancies, informs other laboratory sections about patient identification or medical record number problem.

Ensures that prepared samples are stored according to standard operating procedure (e.g., refrigerated, frozen, incubated).

Ensures allocating and processing of specimens is performed within established time limits for each test.

Ensures accessioning of specimens is performed according to standard operating procedure.

Performs and assesses results of Quality Control activities according to Section Policies and Procedures..

Performs and interprets analytic procedures in a scientifically sound and accurate manner according to Section Policy and Procedures consistent with the provision of optimal customer service.

Maintains clear, concise, accurate and legible records of test performance.

Provides proper documentation and records of all test procedures performed.

Reviews patient results, recognizes problems and/or discrepancies, performs and documents all additional or confirmatory testing necessary to justify reporting of patient result and notifies Technical Group Leader or Supervisors of the matter at hand in a timely manner.

Investigates, resolves to the extent possible and documents commonly found incidents of aberrant or inconsistent patient test results (e.g., Delta checks, ABO inconsistencies, epidemiologic issues) to correlate with past results or known patient condition consistent with section standard operating procedure.

Accurately transcribes results/information into Laboratory Information System according to section specific standards.

Appends appropriate coded comments as required by section standard operating procedures.  Efficient and effective use of  Laboratory Information System to promote clarity and correct interpretation of laboratory results.  Limited use of free text when coded comments are available.

Reviews entered Laboratory Information System codes as required by section standard operating procedures for transcription accuracy prior to completing processing or reporting test results (e.g., specimen type, patient location information as available).

Notifies appropriate person of all Critical Alert Values.  Provides complete documentation of all Critical Alert Values in Laboratory Information System and on workcards as required.

Notifies appropriate person of all required call back of results.  Provides complete documentation of all call backs in Laboratory Information System and on workcards as required.

Uses the Laboratory Information System effectively and efficiently.  Maintains proficiency for all designated Laboratory Information System functions as outlines in section specific policies and procedures.

Provides proper documentation of receipt and implementation of reagents/lots/materials upon receipt in lab according to section standard operating procedures.

Ensures adequate Blood inventories are maintained according to standard operating procedures.

Ensures all work is completed and/or accounted for according to section policy as evidenced by active review of pending and overdue test logs.

Assists other laboratory sections as needed when directed by Supervisory staff members or Group Leaders (e.g., disaster alert, phlebotomy shortage, weather emergency).

Performs specimen collection procedures (when applicable) with proficiency and professionalism to provide quality patient care and in accordance with standards.

Prepares the workstation and equips the phlebotomy tray in advance with all essential supplies in order to efficiently procure the specimens. 

Greets patient and explains the procedure in a professional and courteous  manner and reassures the patient to make the comfortable with the procedure in order to provide quality patient care. 

Properly verifies the patient identification in inpatient areas by asking the patient to state their full name and comparing the information with the patient’s Identification bracelet and computer generated collection label in order to obtain positive patient identification.  Verifies information with the nurse when the patient is unable to communicate.  When applicable, properly identifies the patient identification in the outpatient area by asking the patient to state their full name and age; compares the information with the computer collection label in order to obtain a positive patient identification. 

Proficiently performs venipuncture according to National Certifying Agency for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) including proper site preparation, proper venipuncture technique and proper are for the venipuncuture site in order to provide quality patient care. 

Properly performs the labeling of specimens in accordance with Laboratory Support Services procedures in order to provide accurately identified specimens. 

Delivers the specimen to the appropriate laboratory section within established time frame following special handling instruction for all relevant specimens in order to maintain integrity of the specimen and facilitate specimen processing.

Maintains initial and annual competency documentation as outlined in section policies and procedures within the specified time limits.

Acts as a resource and interprets tests for laboratory users in a manner consistent with level of training and knowledge.

Provides a leadership role for technical and Laboratory Information System problem solving.

Provides a leadership role in support of the department goal of improved customer service. Consistently makes extra efforts to achieve physician/customer expectations.

Professional development: provides a leadership role in maintaining clinical competency in area of responsibility to help ensure the use of up-to-date methods of test performance.  The Assistant Supervisor will encourage, assist and facilitate staff to also reach these goals.

Attends at least two departmental continuing education classes during the year.  Summarizes and shares information obtained from continuing education with others in section.

Participates in two scientific or service related continuing education classes.  These may be offered in house and by an outside agency. Summarizes and shares information obtained from continuing education with others in section.

Actively participates in all scheduled staff meetings, shares ideas and provides constructive suggestions to resolve section related service and/or testing issues.

Actively participates in all scheduled departmental staff meetings, shares ideas and provides constructive suggestions to resolve departmental service and/or testing issues.

Initiates contact with Medical Technology students and Pathology residents through participation in teaching activities.  Schedules and/or delegates “benchside” teaching responsibilities.

Establishes a positive professional relationship with management and co-workers.  Supports and encourages acceptance of change through flexibility of assignment, situation and schedule in order to enhance the productivity of section or department and to improve patient care.  Suggests changes which would result in enhanced operations or patient care.

Aides by and assists supervisor in enforcing the hospital and departmental policies.

Ensures that the section’s equipment and work areas are neat, orderly and well stocked.  Delegates as needed to maintain section readiness.

Assists supervisor in maintaining adequate inventory levels.  Orders or delegates ordering of supplies and reagents under the guidance of the supervisor.

Performs assignments with a minimum of direction.  Delegates staff as necessary to perform all section functions.

Assists supervisor in sectional prioritization of tasks.  Effectively utilizes time and resources in the completion of assignments without assistance the majority of the time.  Adjusts to variable workloads.

Utilizes hospital's Values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission.

Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

Performs other duties as assigned or as  needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in Medial Technology or Clinical Laboratory Science which includes successful completion of a supervised course of clinical internship in an approved hospital laboratory, or a Bachelor's degree in an applied science (Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry).

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:
Certification by American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency (NCA) or equivalent agency as a Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technician, or specialty certification is preferred. Equivalent agency is defined as an agency that requires a degree in science from an accredited college or university with successful completion of an examination for certification. Such agencies include but are not limited to ASCP, NCA, American Medical Technologists (AMT), American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), Health Education and Welfare (HEW), and American Society of Microbiologists (AMT).

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of 3 years experience in specific area of charge or generalist experience. For Blood Bank, 3 years of experience in Blood Bank is required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Work requires the analytic abilities to perform and review highly complex testing as defined under CLIA '88, to interpret findings, perform calculations, calibrate instruments and so forth; and to assist in developing sound policies and procedures. Work requires the manual/visual dexterity necessary to prepare specimens, prepare solutions, screen specimens and operate a computer software system. Work requires interpersonal skills sufficient to maintain effective contacts with physicians and patient care areas, and to provide effective leadership for personnel as assigned. Work requires the ability to perform venipuncture techniques.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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