Laboratory Manager

Summary/Objective:
The Laboratory Manager is responsible for the delivery of laboratory services in the facility. In collaboration with facility Administration, allocates department resources in an efficient and economic manner to enable the highest standard of patient care. Collaborates with other departments, medical professionals, consultants, and organizations, to develop, support, and coordinates patient care and related administrative functions.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

1. Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the Laboratory department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that conform to current standards of laboratory practice and operational policies while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
2. Develop, maintain, and periodically update written policies and procedures and the day-to-day functions of the laboratory department.
3. Develop, maintain, and periodically update laboratory procedures.
4. Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to laboratory staff, and monitors staff practices and implementation.
5. Evaluates the work performance of all laboratory personnel and implements discipline according to policies and procedures.
6. Ensures delivery of quality care as evidenced by adequate services and staff coverage in department.
7. Coordinates laboratory services with other departments.
8. Collaborates with physicians, community agencies and institutions to improve the quality of services and to resolve identified problems.
9. Oversees laboratory schedules to ensure they meet patient needs and regulatory and budgetary standards.
10. Participates in the recruitment and selection of laboratory personnel and ensures sufficient staff are hired.
11. Oversees and supervises development and delivery of in-service education to equip laboratory staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide quality care for patients.
12. Proactively develops positive employee relations; promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communications.
13. Monitors staff for compliance with facility policies on workplace safety.
14. Monitors the infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment designed to prevent the transmission of disease and infection.
15. Is an active member of the Quality Assurance (QA) committee.
16. Coordinates and/or develops on-going QA activities for laboratory services to monitor compliance with standards and regulatory requirements. Compiles summary of finings for the QA committee.
17. Participates in budget development for the laboratory department.
18. Helps prepare staff for inspection surveys, instructing staff on matter of conduct and disclosure, being interviewed by inspectors, immediate corrections of problems noted by surveyors. Reviews and reinforces important standards previously cited.
19. Participates in the preparation of the Plan of Correction response for an inspection survey, and implements any follow-up QA required for any laboratory allegations.
20. Communicates directly with patients, families, medical staff, interdisciplinary team members, and department heads to coordinate care and services.
21. Promotes customer service and responds to and adequately resolves complaints or concerns from patients and families about laboratory services.
22. Ensures laboratory procedures are performed in accordance with prudent medical laboratory practices as defined in accepted standards of regulatory agencies and approved by the Medical Director of the laboratory.
23. Monitors departmental and functional section policy and procedure manuals and ensures annual review and revisions are made; as necessary.
24. Responsible for the oversight of research and development of new procedures and changes to extant procedures.
25. Maintains records of procedure performance, patient results, and quality control in the functional sections.
26. Plots results of control runs on Levy-Jennings charts. Follows defined protocol for investigating out-of-control runs and implements necessary remedial action.
27. Reviews relevant laboratory reports for extraordinary results and clinical errors before they are reported to patients’ medical record, including reports on procedures processed in reference laboratories.
28. Maintains equipment in accordance with defined policies and protocols and logs preventative and remedial maintenance of equipment. Logs performance of equipment, including daily temperature and humidity checks.
29. Participates in cost analysis of extant and prospective test procedures, as appropriate.
30. Records the numbers and finding of procedures processed in the laboratory and functional sections.
31. Ensures charges that are generated are accurate.
32. Trains subordinates on the functional areas and monitors performance to ensure fiscal responsibilities are fulfilled.
33. Promotes compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and illness and control workers’ compensation costs.
34. Ensures staff is trained in fire and disaster and other emergency procedures and evaluates performance during drills.
35. Participate in wide variety of special projects and compile a variety of special reports.

Competencies:

1. Financial Management.
2. Business Acumen.
3. Communication proficiency.
4. Ethical Conduct.
5. Leadership
6. Performance Management.
7. Personal Effectiveness/Credibility
8. Problem Solving/Analysis.
9. Strategic Thinking.
10. Technical Capacity.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position manages all employees of the laboratory department and is responsible for: interviewing, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment and clinical laboratory environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and some mechanical equipment.  The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of patient conditions and elements.  The noise level is moderate to quiet.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this job.  This position and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day.  The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full time position.  Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday; hours are flexible based on the job duties demand.  Evening and weekend work may be required based on the needs of the position/job duties.

Travel:

This position may require some travel.  Travel may be outside the local area and overnight.

Required Education and Experience:

1. Bachelors’ degree in Medical Technology.
2. Successful completion of an examination approved by the Georgia State Department of Human Resources (GDHR).
3. Demonstrated ability to perform medical laboratory procedures in accordance with policies and protocols in effect.
4. Familiarity with the technology related to practice in the assigned functional sections.

Preferred Education and Experience:

1. Four (4) years experience as a supervisor in a clinical laboratory of a hospital, health department, university, medical research institution or in a clinical laboratory providing training acceptable to GDHR preferred.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

1. None required for this position.

At Will Statement:

Monroe County Hospital is considered at will.  “At will” means that you may terminate  employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. “At will” also means that Monroe County Hospital may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, as long as federal and state laws are not violated.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee of the job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.