Assistant Director, DIDD Clinical Laboratory Operations

University of Washington Medical Center • Seattle, WA

4d • $156,000 - $198,000

About The Position

Who we’re looking for: The UW Medicine - Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) in Renton, WA has a fantastic opportunity for an Assistant Director (AD) with the Division of Infectious Diseases Diagnostics (DIDD) at the Renton Central Laboratory. The AD serves as a key clinical member of the DIDD senior management team. The AD provides clinical oversight of each DIDD section, which encompasses diagnostic testing and specimen processing for microbiology, molecular microbiology, and virology. Key responsibilities include supervising and organizing diagnostic testing resources, managing the physical space of the clinical laboratory, increasing testing efficiencies, and leading direct and indirect reports. The AD establishes goals and objectives, supports the development and implementation of strategic and budgetary planning decisions, devises divisional policies and procedures, directs quality assurance and improvement, ensures preventative maintenance, safety, and staff continuing education, and drives student training programs. The AD partners with the Central Laboratory Director, the DIDD Head, the DIDD Associate Director, Section Managers, and Division Faculty to meet these responsibilities and devise/lead special projects as needed. Work schedule: 100% FTE Work schedule to be discussed with the hiring manager Day shift What you’ll contribute: Core Administrative and Operational Duties: In conjunction with division faculty, the Division Head, and the Central Laboratory Director, formulate goals and objectives for the DIDD clinical testing laboratories. Direct and implement strategies to actualize Division goals and projects that encourage growth and meet future demands. Develop plans for division staff to stay abreast of the latest technologies and foster a collaborative environment for devising new diagnostic tests. Evaluate and implement changes to promote innovation and improvements in laboratory functions using technological advancements with direct application of laboratory-based diagnoses. Oversee the development and implementation of divisional policies and procedures; centralize and consolidate testing by location where appropriate; and optimize the use of the physical laboratory space and resources. Automate where applicable. Oversee and authorize the design, performance, and coordination of diagnostic test development and validation, including resource allocation. Review and approve research testing requests and cost accounting after technical feasibility consultation with Division Faculty. Consult with the Division Head on technical decisions for the Division and use recommendations/input for technical developments, changes, and implementations. Resolve all escalated problems to include, but not be limited to, diagnostic testing, development, validation, and quality, as well as related services with internal and external clients while utilizing interpersonal and collaborative skills. Communicate and collaborate with managers and internal and external personnel from other departments and lab divisions, as needed. Escalate conditions, issues, and incidents to Lab Director(s), Division Head(s), and Faculty when needed for appropriate and timely direction of the laboratories. Act as a liaison for the DIDD clinical laboratories in place of the Division Head and Central Laboratory Director with other healthcare personnel. Prepare presentations for faculty, staff, students, and professional meetings. Maintain current knowledge of relevant literature and scientific advances. Budgetary Duties: Oversee the development of the clinical testing budget, prepare data for cost analyses, and manage expenditure of funds. Consult with the Central Laboratory Director regarding these decisions. Approve departmental equipment and contract needs <$10,000 and manage the selection of equipment and supplies. Evaluate and negotiate contracts and pricing for equipment, supplies, standing orders, and services contracts >$10,000. Make recommendations to the Central Laboratory Director. Create monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports with justifications and resolutions for any over-budgeted areas to include, but not be limited to, FTE, projects, contracts, and consumables. Monitor and assess staffing and overall productivity in all laboratory sections. Regulatory and Compliance Duties: Ensure DIDD clinical laboratories are in compliance with regulations and accrediting bodies. Direct and review quality control standards and programs. Provide effective evaluation of departmental practices and promote the Division’s continuous process improvement initiatives. Utilize tracking, benchmarking, and metrics reports to establish quality standard and ongoing process improvement strategies for diagnostic testing. Maintain competent technical staff and high-quality diagnostic testing and training. Work with managers to coordinate continuing education and in-services for staff when needed. Supervisory Duties: Oversee and coordinate activities in DIDD clinical testing sections; manage change and foster innovation and improvements. Responsible for the opening of new and replacement positions; interview, hire, and orient, and train new section managers/employees, including, but not limited to, Health Services Manager, MLS Leads, and MLS 2s. Delegate responsibilities, duties, and tasks to optimize the use of section managers’ time, skills, and expertise without compromising quality of laboratory operations. Audit and evaluate new section staff while considering workload, staff turnover, budget, UW Medicine initiatives, etc. Develop and mentor DIDD section managers to meet expected operational goals; provide consultation on staff performance to include, but not be limited to, evaluations, expectations, investigations, and corrective actions. Responsible for direct performance management of section managers to include, but not be limited to, employee performance, feedback, expectations, mentorship, investigations, and disciplinary or remedial actions as needed. Effectively use and role model current leadership techniques and theories to encourage decision making skills development of managers and staff; provide insight and leadership in complex situations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent field applicable to the laboratory division.
• Medical Laboratory Science certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent, or certification with a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division.
• Six (6) to eight (8) years of progressively responsible clinical technologist experience, including five (5) years in a laboratory leadership capacity to include budget responsibilities and a proven track record that shows an ability to work cross-functionally to achieve business outcomes.
• Must understand occupational health and safety principles and applications with demonstrated ability to direct and conduct effective quantitative and qualitative exposure/risk assessments for complex laboratory/research operations.
• Must have broad knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policy guidance into University programs and operations.
• Must have demonstrated oversight of effective health and safety programs, including developing and maturing programs and implementing program improvements and efficiencies.
• Equivalent experience can substitute for the degree requirement.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent field applicable to the laboratory division.
• Experience developing diagnostic laboratory developed tests.
• Experience working in an academic medical center or health system.
• Experience managing two (2) or more sections/disciplines in a high-volume reference or core laboratory setting.
• Experience with cost optimization, productivity metrics, operational efficiencies, and business process improvement.
• Experience with driving results through team leadership, including working with individual managers/teams to define and measure specific goals and outcomes.
• Experience with automating laboratory work benches and processes, as well as Total Laboratory Automation.
• Experience with metric/KPIs development and/or Lean Six Sigma or other quality improvement methods.

Responsibilities

• In conjunction with division faculty, the Division Head, and the Central Laboratory Director, formulate goals and objectives for the DIDD clinical testing laboratories.
• Direct and implement strategies to actualize Division goals and projects that encourage growth and meet future demands.
• Develop plans for division staff to stay abreast of the latest technologies and foster a collaborative environment for devising new diagnostic tests.
• Evaluate and implement changes to promote innovation and improvements in laboratory functions using technological advancements with direct application of laboratory-based diagnoses.
• Oversee the development and implementation of divisional policies and procedures; centralize and consolidate testing by location where appropriate; and optimize the use of the physical laboratory space and resources.
• Automate where applicable.
• Oversee and authorize the design, performance, and coordination of diagnostic test development and validation, including resource allocation.
• Review and approve research testing requests and cost accounting after technical feasibility consultation with Division Faculty.
• Consult with the Division Head on technical decisions for the Division and use recommendations/input for technical developments, changes, and implementations.
• Resolve all escalated problems to include, but not be limited to, diagnostic testing, development, validation, and quality, as well as related services with internal and external clients while utilizing interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Communicate and collaborate with managers and internal and external personnel from other departments and lab divisions, as needed.
• Escalate conditions, issues, and incidents to Lab Director(s), Division Head(s), and Faculty when needed for appropriate and timely direction of the laboratories.
• Act as a liaison for the DIDD clinical laboratories in place of the Division Head and Central Laboratory Director with other healthcare personnel.
• Prepare presentations for faculty, staff, students, and professional meetings.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant literature and scientific advances.
• Oversee the development of the clinical testing budget, prepare data for cost analyses, and manage expenditure of funds.
• Consult with the Central Laboratory Director regarding these decisions.
• Approve departmental equipment and contract needs <$10,000 and manage the selection of equipment and supplies.
• Evaluate and negotiate contracts and pricing for equipment, supplies, standing orders, and services contracts >$10,000.
• Make recommendations to the Central Laboratory Director.
• Create monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports with justifications and resolutions for any over-budgeted areas to include, but not be limited to, FTE, projects, contracts, and consumables.
• Monitor and assess staffing and overall productivity in all laboratory sections.
• Ensure DIDD clinical laboratories are in compliance with regulations and accrediting bodies.
• Direct and review quality control standards and programs.
• Provide effective evaluation of departmental practices and promote the Division’s continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Utilize tracking, benchmarking, and metrics reports to establish quality standard and ongoing process improvement strategies for diagnostic testing.
• Maintain competent technical staff and high-quality diagnostic testing and training.
• Work with managers to coordinate continuing education and in-services for staff when needed.
• Oversee and coordinate activities in DIDD clinical testing sections; manage change and foster innovation and improvements.
• Responsible for the opening of new and replacement positions; interview, hire, and orient, and train new section managers/employees, including, but not limited to, Health Services Manager, MLS Leads, and MLS 2s.
• Delegate responsibilities, duties, and tasks to optimize the use of section managers’ time, skills, and expertise without compromising quality of laboratory operations.
• Audit and evaluate new section staff while considering workload, staff turnover, budget, UW Medicine initiatives, etc.
• Develop and mentor DIDD section managers to meet expected operational goals; provide consultation on staff performance to include, but not be limited to, evaluations, expectations, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Responsible for direct performance management of section managers to include, but not be limited to, employee performance, feedback, expectations, mentorship, investigations, and disciplinary or remedial actions as needed.
• Effectively use and role model current leadership techniques and theories to encourage decision making skills development of managers and staff; provide insight and leadership in complex situations.

Benefits

• Relocation incentive for eligible new employees.
• Vacation time and sick time off that accrue monthly, including 12 paid holidays.
• State Employee Tuition Exemption Program covering up to 6 credits of qualifying coursework per quarter at the University of Washington or other participating colleges or universities.
• Fully subsidized public transit pass (U-PASS) that covers multiple forms of public transportation in the region.
• Excellent healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options.
• Lots of free fantastic fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress reduction classes offered through the Whole U.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees