MANAGER-LABORATORY

Date: 05/01/02 / Division:LAB / Salary Grade: EXEMPT / HIPAA Sec/Level:
Revisions: 02/13/09 AO / Job Code: MGR LAB / Status: 04 / HIPAA Training: G/S
Approved by:KM,CC / EEO Class: 1.2 /

Dress Code: 5

/ Orientation: BB
Red Flag: yes

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Manages the clinical laboratory, assuring reliable, high-quality diagnostic test results expeditiously delivered to practitioners.

JOB/AUTHORITY RELATIONSHIPS:

Workers supervised:MLT’s, phlebotomists, misc. LAB personnel.

Supervised by:Laboratory Director for COLA/OSHA/regulatory requirements and Assistant Administrator - Patient

Care Services.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires sitting/standing for long periods of time using a computer terminal and telephone. Some bending and stretching required. Occasional lifting up to 40 pounds. Working under stress. Manual dexterity required for use of computer. Requires corrected near and far vision and hearing to normal ranges. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours. Potential exposure to communicable diseases or potentially infected bodily fluids.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, potentially infectious bodily fluids, toxic substances, and medicinal preparations. Utilization of a variety of medical equipment. Public environment. Bloodborne area.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Meet and comply with all COLA requirements for the Technical Supervisor for high complexity testing and Technical Consultant for moderate complexity tests. The Technical Supervisor/Consultant is responsible for technical and scientific oversight of the laboratory. The Technical Supervisor/Consultant is responsible for:
  • Selecting test methodology that is appropriate for the clinical use of the test results.
  • Verifying test procedures performed and establishes the laboratory’s test performance characteristics (precision, accuracy, reference ranges, and reportable patient ranges).
  • Ensuring proper enrollment in an approved Proficiency Testing Program.
  • Establishing a quality control program appropriate for the testing performed (including criteria for acceptability).
  • Establishing and ensuring that a quality assurance program provides remedial actions that correct unacceptable practices, procedures, and results.
  • Resolving technical problems.
  • Ensuring that patient test results are not reported unless all criteria for test performance characteristics are acceptable.
  • Identifying training needs and assuring that each individual performing tests receives regular in-services and education appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.
  • Evaluates the competency of all testing personnel and assuring their competency (semi-annually the first year of patient testing, annually thereafter unless new tests, methods, or instruments are utilized; then evaluations will occur prior to reporting patient results).
  • Patient interaction: Provides explanation of preparation and collection of specimens, gives appropriate instructions and education to patients obtaining self-collected specimens. Must respectfully treat all patients and maintain confidentiality as required by Clinic policy and Federal and State laws.
  • Professional interaction: Coordinate respectfully with other members of our healthcare delivery system in a proactive manner to insure patients receive good quality and appropriate care.
  • Specimen collection: Skillfully performs venipuncture and skin puncture techniques, collects appropriate specimens.
  • Testing analysis: Performs all in-house tests according to approved procedures.
  • Report results: Ensures all test results, in-house and referenced, are reported to the appropriate utilize, recognizes and performs special procedures for alert or erroneous patient results.
  • Quality control: Performs all required internal and external controls for tests requiring such, recognizes system/operator/QC failures, documents QC results and all appropriate corrective actions, maintains QC documentation.
  • Equipment maintenance: Ensures all routine daily, weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance is performed and documented. Troubleshoots equipment problems and coordinates service as necessary.
  • Proficiency testing: Performs, documents, evaluates, and maintains records for all required proficiency testing whether through an approved program or intra-office.
  • Referenced tests: Processes specimens, maintains documentation, correlates returned results with tests ordered, investigates/troubleshoots erroneous, missing and/or delayed test results.
  • Documentation: Records and maintains all required documentation as specified by approved policies and procedures, including but not limited to: personnel training, pre-analytical, and post-analytical processes.
  • Supervises and provides oversight to testing analyst and phlebotomists whose primary responsibility may or may not be laboratory testing.
  • Inventory control: Ensures that materials ordered are the quantity necessary to perform testing with least amount of calibration required. Maintain that same lot number of reagent is stocked for longest period of time possible to ensure least number of possible re-calibrations. Maintains vendor and supply files, checks items ordered against those received and billed, dates items received and stores them.
  • Orient and train new personnel: Ensures all appropriate credentials are received and maintained. Verify testing analysts’ competencies (directly or indirectly) prior to their reporting of patient results.
  • Schedule: Ensures appropriate testing analysts are on-site during testing hours.
  • CPT coding: works with Patient Business Services, ensures there is no up coding, unbundling, or other violation of Medicare billing requirements.
  • Evaluate new test methods: document justification for new or replacement testing methods/equipment; ensure tests have been approved by the laboratory director prior to reporting patient results.
  • Service/maintenance contracts: ensures all vendor contracts are current.
  • Provide input on contracts involving laboratory services: provide financial and operational advise to administration.
  • Monitor budget requirements: report quarterly to administration to ensure the laboratory is within budget.
  • Manage laboratory personnel: exhibit strong leadership skills emphasizing teamwork. Follow and apply disciplinary actions according to Clinic policies while working with Human Resources.
  • Maintain and update Laboratory Information System (LIS): know how to utilize the LIS to its fullest potential. Troubleshoot as necessary to keep the LIS functioning according to vendor’s manuals.
  • Participate in continuous learning for laboratory professionals: read newsletters, journals, and attend local and national professional meetings to ensure Elkhart Clinic is providing the highest quality services while complying with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.
  • Participate in Clinic Committees: Serves on laboratory, safety, medical records, and laboratory information system (LIS) committees to provide technical laboratory information and advice as needed.
  • Selects (directly working with Human Resources) /Training/Orientates/Supervises department personnel.
  • Perform evaluations and make recommendations for merit increase, promotions and disciplinary actions while working with Human Resources.
  • Responsible for good attendance as defined by the Attendance Policy.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

Ability to maintain quality control standards. Ability to recognize problems and recommend solutions. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations. Must work independent of direct supervision and perform efficiently while under pressure. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to be a team player.

EDUCATION:

High School diploma or equivalent.

Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology or a related science.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of 3 years experience as a medical technologist with demonstrated capabilities to manage a clinical lab with a staff of 7 or more full-time employees.

CERTIFICATE/LICENSE:

ASCP Certificate preferred.

I acknowledge receipt and understanding of my Job Description –MANAGER-LABORATORY. This description is intended to be a general statement about this job and is not to be considered a detailed assignment. This description was reviewed with me by my manager(s)/supervisor(s).

______

(Employee Signature/Date)(Manager/Supervisor Signature/Date)

H:\Job Descriptions - Clinic\Current as of 2009\Manager - Laboratory 2009-2-13.doc Page 1 of 4