POSITION SUMMARY:
Supervises and coordinates the vital functions within the Core Laboratory, to ensure that services are of the highest quality and are performed in a cost-effective and expeditious manner. Works the bench to maintain competency in all eight disciplines; ( i.e., Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Transfusion, Coagulation, Urinalysis/Body Fluids and Serology) and rotates weekend work to maintain workflow. May be required to work other shifts, weekends, and/or be on call. Must be able to perform jobs in all patient care and operational areas subject to reasonable accommodations, also be able to employ all mandatory safety devices and procedures. This is a non-union position.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Performs All Supervisory Responsibilities
- Plans and coordinates the day-to-day activities of the laboratory staff including the essential functions of staffing, scheduling, and replacing personnel to maintain adequate staffing levels.
- In the absence of the Administrative Director, makes administrative decisions and judgments. Acts on low census days as required.
- Monitors and maintains quality of the laboratory operations and performance of the laboratory staff.
- Supervises and coordinates the performance of laboratory procedures, providing guidance to Clinical Laboratory Scientist I, II, III, MLT’s, LTA’s and other testing personnel.
- Establishes and/or maintains systems to ensure laboratory procedures are performed in a timely manner and are checked and verified for accuracy by supervisory staff.
- Establishes and/or maintains systems to ensure accurate and thoroughly documented quality control, performance improvement, and equipment service and maintenance.
- Establishes and/or maintains an on-going system to inspect the laboratory areas for compliance with all policies, procedures, regulations, and performance standards, documenting substandard performance with recommendations for corrective action.
- Coordinates the introduction and demonstration of new techniques, equipment and/or products to staff; participates in evaluation and/or completion of new or revised procedures as required.
- Assists in the recruitment and retention of highly qualified, professional staff.
- Ensures that all staff members are adequately cross-trained.
- Establishes and maintains competencies for all CLS, MLT, and LTA staff.
- Orient, train, and test CLS I on all laboratory disciplines. Recommend to Administrative Director when CLS I is qualified for promotion to CLS II.
- Assists in maintaining appropriate in-service and other continuing education programs to ensure professional development of staff and the attainment of departmental goals.
- Maintains and inventory control system for supplies and equipment to ensure that adequate materials are available to perform services promptly and efficiently.
- Maintains a system to ensure that policy and procedure manuals are kept current, and that distribution to various lab sections and/or patient care units is accomplished as required.
- Generates information and data to assist in the preparation of the laboratory’s annual budget and the maintenance of appropriate cost controls to ensure good financial management.
- Establishes and/or maintains the Laboratory Information System to ensure continuous quality operation in all technical disciplines of the laboratory.
- Provides back-up technical oversight of the Point of Care program in the absence of the Point of Care Coordinator.
- Assists in evaluating the competency of all testing personnel in Respiratory Therapy on Blood Gas Analysis.
- Resolves billing issues and performs billing audits. Ensures that proper charges are generated for services.
- Administrates and participates in the proficiency testing surveys including specimen preparation, analysis, reporting, and additionally participates in annual competency testing for all departments.
- Directs, assigns and delegates duties to the Laboratory Technical Assistants (LTA), Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT), and Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) including but not limited to: quality control, calibration, inventory, ordering, linearity, calibration verification, maintenance, troubleshooting, and testing of proficiency surveys. The duties should be coordinated with a teamwork approach.
- Assists in coordination training of CLS and MLT students. Also takes part in training
- Orient, train and test new Core Laboratory staff in all laboratory disciplines.
- May be required to work on the bench if needed and/or be available for phone support on weekends and holidays.
Performs All Pre-Analytical Responsibilities
- Ensures that the laboratory Utilizes materials and procedures required for quality control of testing processes adhering to established laboratory protocol and/or Westgard rules.
- Acts as a resource person to the phlebotomy and laboratory staff on issues relating to Biological specimen collection including; patient preparation, labeling, handling, preservation or fixation, processing or preparation, inoculation, subculturing or staining, transportation and storage of specimens.
- Works with the Administrative Director in maintaining effective workflow that achieves satisfactory turn-around-times and efficient use of personnel.
- Must know operational procedure for the Computerized Tube System.
- Analyzes specimens following standard methods and procedures. Performing testing in accordance with assigned section policies and procedures i.e. Coagulation, Chemistry, Hematology/ Serology, Body Fluids/ Urinalysis, Transfusion Service, and Microbiology.
- Assists with testing in all departments as necessary to maintain optimum processing of results. Demonstrates ability to set priorities. Adheres to laboratory policy concerning STAT testing, delta checks, critical values and abnormal values. Telephones or faxes results as appropriate within the acceptable time frame.
- Makes decisions involving test validity, monitoring testing for deviation from acceptable limits, is able to initiate retesting when required and alerts the Administrative Director of errors or shortcomings in the testing processes.
- Responds to changes in work as required, assisting with testing in all lab departments as necessary to maintain optimum processing of results.
- Must know down time procedure for both the computer and instrumentation and the process for reporting computer problems on the off shifts. Must be familiar with send out procedures for after hour transport of send out testing. Must know the send out procedure for down instrumentation.
Performs All Post-Analytical Responsibilities
- Maintains laboratory records, log sheets, worksheets and paper work. Documents and signs work acknowledging responsibility. Reviews pending logs at the end of the shift to determine status of incomplete work. Prepares the End of Shift Report (EOSR) and communicates with staff on the next shift to make sure there are no gaps in service.
- Ensure that telephone calls are answered and that all reports are reported in a timely manner.
- Handle customer service complaints and intercede to correct problems, resolving issues that can be dealt with and communicating with Director on all client service and employee issues that need further attention.
Performs All Department Responsibilities
- Performs instrument / equipment preventative maintenance procedures as required, documenting and reporting malfunctions to Administrative Director.
- Inspects equipment, troubleshoot failures and take corrective action as necessary, calling for instrument technical service as required.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all levels of staff within the laboratory, nursing staff, and physicians. Contributes to teamwork and harmonious working relationships by communicating effectively and appropriately to resolve problems. Must be able to carryout instructions while working alone with little supervision.
- Monitors inventory in all lab departments, making sure supplies are restocked, ordered and/or put away.
- Maintains competency in all eight (8) disciplines performed by the laboratory.
- Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff within the laboratory.
- May be required to work other shifts, weekends and/or on call.
- Demonstrates and supports the integrated automated Core Laboratory operations and its mission to provide patient test information accurately and efficiently to the caregivers of the hospital, which impacts value base purchasing.
- Demonstrates and supports working with the hospital and the Core Laboratory in raising efficiency, productivity, and reducing operating cost and waste.
FTE 1.0 - 8HOURS - 0600 - 1430
Education: Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology or equivalent discipline preferred.
Experience:
- Six (6) years or more as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist preferred.
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Previous lead or supervisor experience required.
Licenses/Certificates: Clinical Laboratory Scientist licensed by the State of California.
Continuing education as required by the State of California to maintain licensure as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
Requirements: Sexual Harassment training must be completed within 6 months of hire or promotion, and every year thereafter.
