Director, Lab Stewardship and Test Optimization

Bon Secours Mercy Health

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Lab Stewardship and Test Optimization provides leadership for the strategic design and implementation of a system-wide laboratory stewardship program. This role plays a key strategic and clinical role in ensuring that laboratory testing—both in-house and send-out—is used appropriately, efficiently, and cost-effectively to improve patient care. It assures unnecessary variation in testing is reduced, testing performance is improved, and financial sustainability is enhanced. The director drives clinical integration by expertly combining decision analytics with Lean Six Sigma methodologies and draws conclusions by developing and reviewing evidence-based test algorithms and workflows.

Requirements

• MT/MLS or MLT certification by ASCP, AMT or equivalent required.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification required; Black Belt, CPHQ, or a comparable quality/performance improvement credential strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in laboratory operations, quality, compliance, continuous improvement, and referral testing in a multi-hospital health system.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; working knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
• Proficient and practitioner of Lean Six Sigma tools.
• Formal training as a consultant in strategy and planning.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to influence physician behavior and lead multidisciplinary teams effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Strong preference for experience in national consulting in laboratory transformation initiatives that includes technical operations, CAP/CLIA survey readiness, and quality systems deployment.
• Unique combination of molecular and genomics experience in a high-throughput specialty lab and in developing workflows that promotes financial and operational excellence.
• Experience with laboratory revenue optimization, billing improvement, claim denial reduction, and reimbursement strategy.
• Deep knowledge in developing algorithms around value-based care, analyzing and comparing referral tests, and providing strategic leadership on executing change.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the laboratory stewardship program across Bon Secours Mercy Health, aligning with value-based care initiatives and population health strategies.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to test utilization, productivity, turnaround time, and cost per test for both in-house and referral tests.
• Develop and chair a utilization management review committee and partner with the prior authorization team.
• Review high-cost and high-volume referral tests for clinical appropriateness and develop test algorithms, where applicable.
• Prepare business case proposals on appropriate buy vs sell initiatives of tests that can be internalized.
• Determine optimal instrumentation necessary to insource referral tests.
• Track and analyze test ordering trends to identify overuse, underuse, or misuse, and provide education and feedback to clinicians on evidence-based testing.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and other quality systems/continuous improvement methodologies to evaluate the need for new testing and equipment submitted by markets.
• Review with directors the need for new testing and/or equipment by participating in lean workflow studies including, but not limited to, redesigning laboratory processes and floorplan.
• Collaborate with physicians, pathologists, informaticists, and operational leaders to develop guidelines for appropriate test ordering.
• Stay abreast on industry trends in lab stewardship and value-based care strategies, and partner with automation team in evaluating and recommending optimal equipment for test internalization.
• Act as the BSMH lab’s point person for vendor relations and business reviews of reference laboratories and blood suppliers.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HSA/FSA options, life insurances, mental health resources and discounts
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, shot- and long-term disability, backup care for children and elders
• Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support

What This Job Offers

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