Clinical Lab Scientist Supervisor 2

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

This position supervises employees in a high-volume, highly technical Mohs laboratory and includes administrative and technical duties. The supervisor oversees daily laboratory operations, including processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and preparing tissue specimens for slides. The role requires close attention to detail, multitasking, and workflow management to support efficient staff and laboratory processes. The supervisor serves as a technical resource and trains staff in histological specimen preparation according to departmental procedures and accrediting-organization requirements. The supervisor oversees staff at three main locations: Mt. Zion Derm, BOPC, and Bayfront. The role also collaborates with department nurse managers on laboratory licensure and compliance at other dermatology clinic sites. Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Health ambulatory locations is required. The position oversees quality control, laboratory documentation, policies and procedures, performance improvement, equipment and supplies, staffing, training, and operational planning. It serves as the laboratory’s primary contact for clinics, physicians, healthcare providers, and other staff, and collaborates with dermatology surgeons and other UCSF sites to address specimen-processing needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a natural science and/or equivalent experience or training.
At least 5 years of work experience in a Mohs laboratory or related field, such as a pathology laboratory, including at least 3 years as a Mohs technician processing tissue specimens in a high-volume laboratory or academic medical center environment, or a combination thereof.
At least 2 years of experience as a Mohs laboratory supervisor.
Experience successfully completing laboratory licensure and accreditation surveys.
Experience performing complex laboratory procedures according to established protocols.
Strong interpersonal skills to foster effective communication and collaborative decision-making; ability to convey information authoritatively, handle sensitive matters, and interact with senior contacts from other departments or organizations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical specialty concepts thoroughly.
Strong leadership, fiscal, and operations-management skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, management, and staff across disciplines.
Ability to create and maintain a goal-oriented climate of teamwork, collaboration, and consistent achievement of objectives.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills; ability to analyze problems, determine appropriate interventions, and develop and apply effective solutions.
Highly developed organizational skills and proven ability to organize staff and tasks, manage multiple priorities and projects through completion and on schedule, oversee multiple locations, and delegate work efficiently in a complex environment.
Flexibility to adjust to changing priorities.
Strong knowledge of human-resources management policies and ability to train, monitor, evaluate, and document human-resources issues and performance.
Knowledge of laboratory regulatory requirements related to laboratories and tissue processing, as well as relevant legislative, accreditation, licensing, and compliance environments.
Current knowledge of laboratory concepts, new methodologies, industry and regulatory compliance, accreditation requirements, medical-center health and safety guidelines, and advances in specimen processing, automation, and procedures.
Strong knowledge of quality-assurance methods and ability to apply quality principles to system design.
Ability to use laboratory applications, clinical software, databases, and dashboards, and to perform data checks using queries, visual review, and other appropriate methods.
ASCP Histotechnologist certification.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a large academic medical setting and ambulatory care.
Experience using EMR-EPIC/APeX.

Responsibilities

Directly supervise technical staff performing highly technical subspecialty work, including processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and preparing tissue specimens into slides.
Monitor staff adherence to standard operating procedures and oversee laboratory tests and quality-control checks to ensure quality results.
Organize and maintain clinical records and testing documentation generated by laboratory operations.
Collaborate with department nurse managers to oversee laboratory licensure and compliance at dermatology clinic laboratory sites.
Use independent judgment to troubleshoot emergent specimen-handling or processing issues and perform supervised functions as needed to meet operational requirements.
Maintain, assess, and update technical policies and procedures; develop and implement new procedures to address deficiencies and ensure compliance with clinical, health, environmental, and safety requirements.
Implement research-method and process innovations and new technologies under department leadership; develop quality-assurance systems and lead laboratory performance improvement.
Assess laboratory processes and performance using quantitative and qualitative data, verify data accuracy, store and disseminate technical data, report findings, and recommend improvements.
Assist with laboratory budgeting and service pricing, conduct short- and long-range budget planning, and ensure equipment care and maintenance are completed and documented.
Ensure the laboratory has appropriate resources, supplies, equipment, specimens, and staff coverage; manage supply inventory and monitor laboratory equipment condition.
Serve as the laboratory’s primary contact for clinics, physicians, healthcare providers, and other staff; represent the laboratory in clinical interactions with the Medical Center and University.
Address laboratory-operation issues with clinic staff and physicians, collaborate with dermatology surgeons on unusual or difficult specimens, and coordinate specimen processing with other UCSF sites.
Participate in recruiting and new-employee orientation; evaluate performance and competency, define development goals, recommend staffing and budget changes, assess coverage, and develop staff schedules.
Teach and mentor staff and trainees in clinical theory, skills, laboratory techniques, and standard operating procedures; serve as the technical reference for histotechnicians performing slide preparation.
Perform other duties as assigned.