Health Services Manager, Renton Central Lab: Microbiology

University of Washington Medical Center • Renton, WA

1d • $110,928 - $166,392 • Onsite

About The Position

The UW Medicine - Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) in Renton, WA has a fantastic opportunity for a Health Services Manager with the Microbiology Lab at the Renton Central Lab. Under the direction of the UW Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics (DIDD) Assistant Director, the Health Services Manager (HSM) oversees and manages the operations of the Microbiology laboratory, including, but not limited to, lab preanalytical and analytical automation, as well as manual and specialized testing in microbiology and rapid and molecular testing. The HSM plans, organizes, and supervises all areas by effectively utilizing employees and state-of-the art equipment to meet established performance and productivity metrics. The HSM ensures maximum operational efficiencies, as well as provides direct on-site analysis of day-to-day operations. This includes adjustment of specimen workflow, test performance, quality, compliance preventive maintenance, safety, continuing education, and student programs for the Microbiology Lab. The HSM performs fiscal activities, including, but not limited to, FTE management, budget development, recommending budgetary goals based on prior performance and known upcoming expenses, and managing division expenditures to maintain the expected budget. The HSM works collaboratively with colleagues both inside and outside of the department, participates in process improvement projects, and leads staff development and engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or related field.
• Medical Laboratory Scientist certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent certifying organization; or certification with specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible clinical technologist experience to include three (3) years in a leadership or supervisory capacity or equivalent.
• Experience with wet bench procedures, instrumentation, quality management/assurance, and CAP proficiency and accreditation guidelines.
• Track record of effective management of teams and staff to meet group goals and deadlines and set priorities.
• Track record of effective Change Management.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in clinical laboratory test/system validations and data management.
• Demonstrated experience with laboratory process improvements.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent field applicable to the laboratory division.
• Substantial and comprehensive knowledge and experience in Clinical Microbiology operations.
• Microbiology Manager level experience of 5 or more years.
• Experience in hospital, academic medical center, or reference laboratory setting.
• Experience with Lean Management, laboratory process improvement, and Six Sigma certification/training.
• Experience in identifying inefficiencies in processes, workflows, and throughput and implementation of process improvements to minimize waste and increase safety.
• Experience implementing laboratory productivity and quality metrics.
• Experience with WASP or Kiestra Lab Automation lines in a high-volume lab setting.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in clinical laboratory test/system validation and data management.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical and administrative management and leadership to the Microbiology Laboratory.
• In conjunction with faculty and the DIDD Assistant Director, sets goals for the laboratory. Participate in division goals and policies and plans strategies to ensure the division can meet future demands. Manages change and fosters innovation and improvement in laboratory functions using technological advances with direct application for laboratory-based diagnoses.
• Consults with and informs the DIDD Assistant Director, Division Head, Central Laboratory Director, and Medical Directors of Laboratory Operations of activities, needs, and problems. Ensures proper and efficient operations and implements strategic initiatives.
• Oversees the development of novel educational tools/programs for training, maintaining technical competency, and QA/QI.
• Oversees the development of optimized laboratory utilization algorithms; collaborates with existing clinical and research units to support ongoing laboratory projects.
• Develops and implements departmental and divisional policies and changes in procedures; consults regularly with the laboratory directors. Ensure all policies and procedures are clear and understood by faculty and staff.
• Evaluates and recommends equipment needs; manages the selection of equipment and supplies. Supports negotiations of contracts and pricing for equipment, standing orders, and service contracts.
• Ensures compliance with all federal and state regulations as well as accrediting requirements that impact laboratory operations.
• Acts as liaison for the laboratory with other healthcare personnel.
• Utilizes strong interpersonal skills to resolve service-related problems with other divisions or departments.
• Directs and reviews quality control standards and programs; monitors proficiency testing, alternative assessment testing, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Manages clinical laboratory rotations for all levels of students and trainees; may prepare and present lecture material to residents, medical laboratory science students, and other medical personnel.
• Collaborates with other Laboratory Division Supervisors/Managers on joint concerns.
• Prepares presentations for staff, students, and professional meetings.
• Assumes additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Faculty, Department Administrators, or Department Chairperson.
• Maintains current knowledge of relevant literature and scientific advances to maintain technical and management expertise.
• Maintains working knowledge of the Laboratory Information System (LIS), bioinformatic pipelines, and laboratory workflow software systems including, but not limited to, supervisory QC and QA functions.
• Ensures technical staff remain proficient/competent and maintains high-quality laboratory testing and training. Coordinates continuing education and in-service education for staff.
• Oversees the development of training procedures and checklists to ensure competent technical staff.
• Interviews, hires, orients, and trains new employees to maintain qualified technical staff; maintains documentation of training and required competencies.
• Delegates responsibilities, duties, and tasks to optimize the use of staff time, skills, and expertise without compromising quality of testing.
• Assesses and adjusts laboratory staff, considering workload, staff turnover, and budget; plans staff schedules and rotations; assigns staff to work sections; reviews time records to ensure appropriateness of time used; acts upon vacation and leave requests.
• Reviews and evaluates employee performance; provides fair and immediate feedback on job performance for staff; counsels staff to improve performance as required; recommends disciplinary or remedial action as needed.
• Ensures staff awareness of compliance and follows acceptable laboratory policies.
• Ensures staff know the location of safety information, disaster drill procedures, and MSDS manuals, and assesses information in response to queries or emergency situations. Ensures MSDS information is current and available.
• Ensures all Microbiology laboratories are compliant with regulations and accrediting bodies.
• Leads effective evaluation of departmental practices and process improvement.
• Oversees all benches for quality with tracking, benchmarking, and metrics reports to established standards to include ongoing process improvement initiatives while maintaining and improving quality of testing.
• Maintains and reviews quality control standards and programs to meet and exceed CAP and other regulatory agencies’ requirements.
• Maintains “inspection ready” performance of all Microbiology areas.
• Partners with the Analytics and Laboratory Information System team to implement changes and improvements.
• Ensures automation works as intended. Collaborates with vendors to ensure programs are up-to-date and that downstream programs display data correctly.
• Uses the LIS, laboratory notebook, and laboratory pipeline dashboard to ensure consistency in performance from tech-to-tech.
• Ensures that downstream computer systems display the report in a user-friendly format.

Benefits

• 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