Director - Laboratory Services

JOB PURPOSE OR MISSION: Responsible for the responsible for the overall operation and administration of the Laboratory including the employment of personnel who are competent to perform test procedures, record and report test results promptly and accurately and for assuring compliance with the applicable regulations. Responsible for strategic planning, direction and overall accountability all Laboratory Services. Independently makes decisions that could seriously affect the overall division and/or GHS System’s financial and performance objectives and strategic results. Actively participates in committees responsible for establishing related policies and procedures. Develops and is accountable for department budget. Direct reports include managers, supervisors and staff employees including responsibility for performance reviews, hiring, disciplinary actions and terminations. Performs job for the age population served, as defined in the department’s scope of service.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

CRITERIA A: Everyday Excellence Values - Employee demonstrates the Everyday Excellence values in the day-to-day performance of their job.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Demonstrates courtesy and caring to each other, patients and their family, physicians, and the community.

• Takes initiative in living our values and vital signs.

• Takes initiative in identifying customer needs before the customer asks.

• Participates in teamwork willingly and with enthusiasm.

• Demonstrates respect for the dignity and privacy needs of customers through personal action and attention to the environment of care.

• Keeps customers informed, answers customer questions and anticipates information needs of customers.

• Participates in Interdepartmental Rounding for the areas served.

CRITERIA B: Corporate Compliance - Employee demonstrates commitment to the Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest Guidelines, and the GHS Corporate Compliance Guidelines.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Practices diligence in fulfilling the regulatory and legal requirements of the position and department.

• Maintains accurate and reliable patient/organizational records.

• Maintains professional relationships with appropriate officials; communicates honesty and completely; behaves in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner in all professional contacts.

CRITERIA C: Personal Achievement - Employee demonstrates initiative in achieving work goals and meeting personal objectives.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Sets goals and action plans to achieve objectives.

• Completes assignments following accepted procedures and practices, even when workloads and demands are high.

• Adheres to high moral principles of honesty, loyalty, sincerity, and fairness (integrity).

CRITERIA D: Performance Improvement - Employee actively participates in Performance Improvement activities and incorporates quality improvement standards in his/her job performance.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Utilizes data to plan new products and services.

• Strives to continuously improve all aspects of the business operation through quality improvement initiatives.

• Assures the accuracy of data, work, or information and contributes ideas and suggestions to improve approaches, methodologies, and productivity.

• Utilizes data to implement clinical and operational redesign efforts.

• Willingly participates in organization and/or department quality initiatives.

CRITERIA E: Cost Management - Employee demonstrates effective cost management practices.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Demonstrates effective time management to promote productivity and cost efficiency.

• Uses material goods wisely, is conscious of the environment and is accountable for prudent use of our talents and financial resources.

• Develops appropriate budget(s) for areas of responsibility.

• Effectively manages budget(s) and continually monitors key cost areas.

CRITERIA F: Leadership – Employee demonstrates effective leadership by developing standards of performance, determining areas of responsibility and accountability and delegating authority.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Invites input from others and shares ownership and recognition.

• Inspires people by example and influences them to do and be their best.

• Inspires and encourages teamwork.

• Consistently executes applicable company policies, rules and regulations.

CRITERIA G: Operations Management – Employee demonstrates the ability to give clear and concise instructions as to assignment objectives and methods, and reviews results at all critical points.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Establishes clear work objectives that prioritize and focus employee efforts.

• Staffs work area with appropriate numbers of qualified employees.

• Allocates and delegates work effectively to make efficient use of resources and employee capabilities.

CRITERIA H: Performance Management – Employee demonstrates an awareness of employees’ development needs to improve work effectiveness, and insures that training and related programs are available to meet these needs.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Provides opportunity for skill development for employees.

• Provides ongoing performance feedback to employees and takes corrective action when necessary.

• Completes and conducts performance appraisals by established review date.

CRITERIA I: Patient & Employee Safety - Employee actively participates in and demonstrates effective patient and employee safety practices.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Employee effectively communicates, demonstrates, coordinates and emphasizes patient and employee safety.

• Employee proactively reports errors, potential errors, injuries or potential injuries.

• Employee demonstrates departmental specific patient and employee safety standards at all times.

• Employee demonstrates the use of proper safety techniques, equipment and devices and follows safety policies, procedures and plans.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include, but are not limited to:

1. Demonstrates effectiveness in planning and setting objectives for the department(s) or areas of responsibility.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Develops goals and objectives in consultation with management to ensure consistency with the GHS philosophy.

• Determines measurable checkpoints for various projects and expected variations.

• Examines alternative methods of providing services in order to reduce operating costs.

• Forecasts and anticipates staffing needs to accommodate market/seasonal changes.

2. Demonstrates effectiveness in maintaining an organized department (s) or areas of responsibility to ensure efficiency, accuracy of work, and information flow.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Monitors departmental or areas of responsibility operations and implements corrective actions as required.

• Coordinates a wide variety of administrative, fiscal, and technical activities to ensure the efficient operation of the department(s) or areas of responsibility.

• Effectively utilizes available staff to maximize the effectiveness of the work performed.

• Organizes, directs and participates in the compilation and analysis of department(s) or areas of responsibility data.

3. Continually demonstrates effectiveness in the direction of departmental activities.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Implements policies and procedures necessary to achieve department(s) or areas of responsibility objectives.

• Uses quantitative measures to assess the performance and productivity of the department (s) or areas of responsibility.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with management and other departments.

• Maintains an effective performance improvement program.

• Develops programs to improve departmental or areas of responsibility communications.

4. Demonstrates effectiveness in controlling the operations of the department(s) or areas of responsibility.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Delegates authority to supervisory and department(s) or areas of responsibility staff members.

• Provides direction and policy interpretation to managers.

• Encourages staff participation and communication in decision-making.

• Exhibits responsiveness to others in the organization at all levels.

• Assures that applicable accreditation standards and governmental regulations for areas of responsibility are continually met.

5. Demonstrates effectiveness in managing and directing Laboratory Services operations.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Analyzes services to determine means of improving efficiency, quality and cost effectiveness.

• Effectively plans the scope, emphasis and objectives of laboratory services.

• Effectively organizes the Laboratory’s operating systems.

• Effectively measures the performance and productivity of the department by means of quantitative profiling of factors such as procedures, and staff utilization.

• Establish and maintain communication with internal and external customers in order to ensure a timely response to new clinical service trends and program planning.

• Investigates and studies trends and developments in Laboratory practices and techniques.

• Actively participates in committees responsible for establishing related policies and procedures.

6. Demonstrates effectiveness in participating in the short- and long-term planning for Laboratory Services.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Develops goals and objectives in consultation with Administration.

• Participates in space utilization/consolidation studies and analysis.

• Lead and direct the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes.

• Develops recommended plans to maximize operational efficiencies.

• Demonstrates good planning in anticipating the replacement needs of Laboratory equipment.

7. Performs other duties as assigned.

HIPAA REQUIREMENTS:

Maintains knowledge of and adherence to all applicable HIPAA regulations appropriate to Job Position including but not limited to: Medical records without limitation both paper and electronic, employee health records, patient demographics, lab and radiology results, patient information related to surgery or appointment schedules, patient financial information, patient billing 3rd party, patient related complaints, information related to patient location, patients religious beliefs, and/or employee health records and prescriptions.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

Maintains knowledge of and adherence to all applicable safety practices appropriate to Job Position including but not limited to: Incident reporting, handling of wastes, sharps and linen, PPE, exposure control plans, hand washing, environment of care, and patient identification.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

5 years leadership level experience in Laboratory services preferred.

SPECIAL SKILL, LICENSE AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

Current Clinical Laboratory Scientist – Generalist or Specialist license issued by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

Knowledge of budget preparation and monitoring, and accreditation requirements.