Director of Laboratory

Job Type

Full-time

Description

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Director of Laboratory is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratory, including the employment of personnel who are able to perform test procedures, record and report test results promptly, accurately and proficiently. The Director of Laboratory is responsible for assuring compliance with the appropriate regulatory and accreditation agencies. Responsible for the maintenance of the Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathology and Blood Bank modules associated with the hospital information system to ensure quality patient reports and proper billing of the tests. Responsible for the preparation and adherence to a yearly budget for the laboratory to include use of supplies and Capital Equipment needed to maintain the laboratory.

Essential Functions

• Provide positive leadership creating harmonious and effective working environment within the department.
• Seek out opportunities presented in gaining knowledge which will foster development or acceptance of new concepts and ideas.
• Accurately perform testing in all assigned departments.
• Handle routine troubleshooting and communicates necessary information to other shifts and interdepartmentally when appropriate.
• Perform required QC according to the SOP, documents corrective action, and makes appropriate decisions regarding patient results.
• Process proficiency samples in the normal flow of work in a section.
• Document critical values, and release results to outside parties according to policy and confidentiality guidelines.
• Participate in annual departmental and facility competency testing.
• Attend and participate in in-service education programs and departmental meetings and demonstrates a willingness to keep current by attending workshops or reading literature.
• Perform special assignments which may include training new employees or students, acting as supervisor of the lab in absence of laboratory director, and performing assigned tasks.
• Has a working knowledge of the computer and LIS systems.
• Interact positively and cooperatively with patients, visitors, physicians and employees ranging in age from birth to the most aged.
• Support the Medical Center’s Mission/Vision/Philosophy positively.
• Medical Significance, interpretation, and Correlation of Data - Provide consultations about the medical significance of clinical laboratory data. Interpret, correlate, and communicate laboratory data to clinicians, patients, and other appropriate requestors.
• Anatomic Pathology - Perform anatomic pathology procedures as appropriate.
• Consultation - Provide consultations to physicians regarding the medical significance of laboratory findings for purposes of further diagnosis and possible treatment, as appropriate.
• Medical Staff Privileges - As applicable, serve as a member of the medical staff for those facilities served.
• Interaction with Others - Relate and function effectively with applicable accrediting and regulatory agencies, appropriate administrative officials, physicians, the medical community, and patients.
• Standards of Performance - Define, implement, and monitor standards of performance in quality control and cost-effectiveness of the pathology and clinical laboratory service(s).
• Monitoring and Correlation of Laboratory Data - Monitor all work performed in the laboratory to determine that medically reliable data are being generated; correlate laboratory data for diagnosis and patient management.
• Quality Management - Assume responsibility for implementation of the quality management plan. The director and professional laboratory personnel must participate as members of the quality improvement committees of the institution, if applicable.
• Personnel - Ensure that there are sufficient qualified personnel with adequate documented training and experience to meet the needs of the laboratory.
• Strategic Planning - Perform planning for setting goals and developing and allocating resources appropriate to the medical environment.
• Administration and Management - Provide effective and efficient administration of the pathology and clinical laboratory service, including budget planning and control with responsible financial management, in accordance with regulatory requirements and institutional assignment of such responsibilities.
• Education - Provide educational programs for the medical and laboratory staff, and participate in educational programs of the institution, if applicable. Research and Development - Plan and direct research and development appropriate to the facility.
• Reference Laboratories - Select and monitor all reference laboratories for quality of service.
• Safety - Implement a safe laboratory environment in compliance with good practice and applicable regulations.
• Selection of Equipment, Methods, and Reagents - Provide input into the selection of equipment, methods, and reagents appropriate to the needs of patients, the scope of testing, and the financial constraints on the laboratory or institution.
• Testing systems in the laboratory provide quality services in all aspects of test performance, i.e., the pre-analytic, analytic, and post analytic phases of testing and are appropriate for your patient population.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform other essential duties as assigned.
  
  

Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Holds a current Medical Laboratory Scientist degree.
• Previous experience as medical technologist, with supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledgeable regarding growth and development and assessing the physical and psychological needs of patients from infancy to elderly.
• Administrative background helpful and preferred.
• Must be self-motivated and have the ability to work within the established policies, procedures and practices prescribed by the hospital/clinic.
  
  

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Must be able to sit and stand, intermittent 8 to 10 hours a day.
• Must be able to use standard office equipment, including the telephone and computer keyboard.
• Continuously works under pressure of near 100% accuracy while meeting inflexible deadlines.
• Continuously utilizes manual/bi-manual dexterity, near vision, speech, and hearing.
• Frequently stands, walks, sits and utilizes eye/hand coordination and color definition.
• Occasionally reaches above shoulder, regularly required to life and/or carry up to 40 lbs.
• Occasionally walks on uneven surfaces.
• Ability to travel 0-10% of the time, including flying and driving rental cars.
• To accommodate travel, must be able to transport own suitcases and portable computer estimated at 25 pounds.