U

University of Washington

Public research university in Seattle, WA

Health Services Manager - Microbiology

Diagnostics & Laboratory ProfessionalsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeRenton, WA, USA$110.9k - $166.4k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or a related field is required.
  • Medical Laboratory Scientist certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology or an equivalent certifying organization, or certification with a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division, is required.
  • Six years of progressively responsible clinical technologist experience, including three years in a leadership or supervisory capacity, or equivalent experience, is required.
  • Experience with wet bench procedures, instrumentation, quality management and assurance, and College of American Pathologists proficiency and accreditation guidelines is required.
  • A track record of effectively managing teams and staff to meet group goals and deadlines and set priorities is required.
  • A track record of effective change management is required.
  • Extensive knowledge and expertise in clinical laboratory test and system validations and data management is required.
  • Demonstrated experience with laboratory process improvements is required.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee and manage the Microbiology laboratory's operations, including preanalytical and analytical automation, manual and specialized microbiology testing, and rapid and molecular testing.
  • Plan, organize, and supervise laboratory areas, using employees and equipment to meet performance and productivity metrics.
  • Monitor day-to-day operations, including specimen workflow, test performance, quality, compliance, preventive maintenance, safety, continuing education, and student programs.
  • Manage fiscal activities, including full-time-equivalent management, budget development, budgetary recommendations, and division expenditures.
  • Collaborate with colleagues inside and outside the department, participate in process improvement projects, and lead staff development and engagement.
  • Provide technical and administrative management and leadership to the Microbiology Laboratory.
  • Set laboratory goals with faculty and the Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics Assistant Director, participate in division goals, policies, and planning, and develop strategies to meet future demands.
  • Manage change and foster innovation and improvement in laboratory functions through technological advances applicable to laboratory-based diagnoses.
  • Consult with and inform the Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics Assistant Director, Division Head, Central Laboratory Director, and Medical Directors of Laboratory Operations about activities, needs, and problems; ensure efficient operations and implement strategic initiatives.
  • Oversee development of educational tools and programs for training, technical competency, and quality assurance and improvement.
  • Oversee development of optimized laboratory utilization algorithms and collaborate with clinical and research units to support laboratory projects.
  • Develop and implement departmental and divisional policies and procedural changes, consult regularly with laboratory directors, and ensure policies and procedures are clear to faculty and staff.
  • Evaluate equipment needs, recommend and manage equipment and supply selection, and support negotiations for equipment, standing orders, pricing, and service contracts.
  • Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and accrediting requirements affecting laboratory operations.
  • Act as the laboratory's liaison with other healthcare personnel and resolve service-related problems with other divisions or departments.
  • Direct and review quality-control standards and programs, and monitor proficiency testing, alternative assessment testing, and preventive maintenance programs.
  • Manage clinical laboratory rotations for students and trainees at all levels, and potentially prepare and present lectures to residents, medical laboratory science students, and other medical personnel.
  • Collaborate with other Laboratory Division Supervisors and Managers on shared concerns.
  • Prepare presentations for staff, students, and professional meetings.
  • Maintain current knowledge of relevant literature and scientific advances to sustain technical and management expertise.
  • Maintain working knowledge of the Laboratory Information System, bioinformatic pipelines, and laboratory workflow software, including supervisory quality-control and quality-assurance functions.
  • Ensure technical staff remain proficient and competent, maintain high-quality testing and training, and coordinate continuing and in-service education.
  • Oversee development of training procedures and checklists to ensure technical staff competency.
  • Interview, hire, orient, and train employees; maintain training and competency documentation.
  • Delegate responsibilities and tasks to optimize staff time, skills, and expertise without compromising testing quality.
  • Assess and adjust staffing based on workload, turnover, and budget; plan schedules and rotations, assign staff to work sections, review time records, and act on vacation and leave requests.
  • Review and evaluate employee performance, provide timely feedback, counsel staff, and recommend disciplinary or remedial action as needed.
  • Ensure staff awareness of compliance and adherence to laboratory policies, and ensure access to safety information, disaster drill procedures, and material safety data sheet manuals; respond to queries and emergencies and keep safety information current.
  • Ensure Microbiology laboratories comply with regulations and accrediting bodies, evaluate departmental practices, and lead process improvement.
  • Oversee bench quality through tracking, benchmarking, and metrics reports against established standards while improving testing quality.
  • Maintain and review quality-control standards and programs to meet regulatory and College of American Pathologists requirements, and keep Microbiology areas inspection-ready.
  • Partner with the Analytics and Laboratory Information System team to implement changes and improvements.
  • Ensure automation works as intended and collaborate with vendors to keep programs up to date and downstream data displays correct.
  • Use the Laboratory Information System, laboratory notebook, and laboratory pipeline dashboard to ensure consistent performance across technicians.
  • Ensure downstream computer systems display reports in a user-friendly format.

Desired Qualifications

  • A master's degree in medical laboratory science or an equivalent field applicable to the laboratory division is desired.
  • Substantial and comprehensive knowledge and experience in clinical microbiology operations is desired.
  • Five or more years of Microbiology Manager-level experience and experience in a hospital, academic medical center, or reference laboratory setting are desired.
  • Experience managing a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory is desired.
  • Experience with Lean Management, laboratory process improvement, and Six Sigma certification or training is desired.
  • Experience identifying inefficiencies in processes, workflows, and throughput and implementing improvements to minimize waste and increase safety is desired.
  • Experience implementing laboratory productivity and quality metrics is desired.
  • Experience with WASP or Kiestra laboratory automation lines in a high-volume laboratory is desired.
  • Extensive knowledge and expertise in clinical laboratory test and system validation and data management is desired.

About the Company

University of Washington

Public research university in Seattle, WA

The University of Washington is a public research university founded in 1861, with campuses in Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma. It provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional education alongside research and public service.

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