Histology Laboratory Manager

Boston Medical Center•Boston, MA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Pathology Operations Director(s), and in collaboration with the appropriate Section Medical Director(s), leads, manages, monitors, implements and supervises testing quality and compliance standards in the Histology Laboratory at BMC as required. Manages the Histology Laboratories; while being available to cover the Special Procedures Laboratory. Will be responsible for section quality management and quality improvement act as section educator and manages all equipment upgrades and procedural changes in the laboratory section. Ensures maintenance of standards that meet or exceed those required for College of American Pathologist (CAP) and The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation and other external agencies (such as the CDC, DPH). Maintains oversight of Lab Emergency Preparedness and Lab Safety Champions BMCs RESPECT values.

Requirements

Requires an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Biological Sciences, or related Clinical Laboratory Science which includes successful completion of a supervised course of clinical internship in an approved hospital laboratory, or a Bachelor’s degree in a life science (for example Chemistry, Biology or Biochemistry etc.).
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a pathology laboratory required.
Supervisory experience in a clinical pathology is strongly preferred.
In depth familiarity with requirements of accrediting agencies, particularly The Joint Commission and College of American Pathologists.
Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills as well as strong leadership qualities to effectively manage area of charge.
In-depth scientific understanding of the areas of charge and must be knowledgeable about and able to perform all tasks delineated in the job description of a Histotechnologist.

Nice To Haves

Certification by American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency (NCA) or equivalent agency as a Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologists (HTL), Pathologist Assistant (ASCP)

Responsibilities

Leadership Management oversight and leadership of all areas of the Histology Laboratory (including Tissue Processing, Microtomy, Embedding and Special Stains.
Collaborates with the Pathology Grossing room Manager to resolve tissue processing issues and block submission issues.
Collaborates with the IHC and Special Procedures Manager to resolve issues and complete projects.
Assumes full responsibility for all laboratory staff in their section and their actions
Champions a laboratory environment that promotes quality and compliance for all laboratories related tests and services, to ensure patient and employee safety and satisfaction.
Performs a wide verity of histology and some immunohistochemistry tests as defined by CLIA ‘88.
Acts as a technical resource to resolve or address scientific issues that fall out of the scope of the Histotechnologists.
Addresses situations where clinical or quality control results are unexpected, novel or unexplainable.
Contributes to and supports department Strategic Planning.
Provides a technically sound environment to optimize the quality of laboratory services, including maintenance of equipment, evaluation of new equipment and test assays.
Exhibits innovation in planning improvements, promoting new programs and problem solving in area of responsibility including working with other hospital entities to ensure adequate specimen transport is met.
Values and responds to customer feedback by taking corrective action or improving suboptimal services.
In accordance with department expectations responds to emails in a timely manner.
Exercises good judgment skills to effectively articulate BMCs organizational values and to foster a cooperative spirit among the staff with regard to people within and outside the department.
Makes decisions both immediate and long term, as to the integrity of an analytic method, i.e., instrumentation malfunction or poor quality test results.
Takes full fiscal responsibility for section oversights, including but not limited to: preparing and managing an operating budget, managing staffing expenses and overtime (OT), capital budget, analyzing billing codes, preparing return on investment business analysis, fully supporting the revenue integrity of the Laboratory including accurate charges, billing and collections.
Continually audits test billing codes to ensure accuracy.
Continually monitors overtime to achieve BMC’s goal of <1.8% OT.
Contributes to departmental goals of improving cost effectiveness, optimization of resources and revenue enhancement.
Updates equipment maintenance and service agreements in collaboration with the Supply Chain department, with standards such as two years of service included with all new equipment and upgrades included during agreed upon life span.
Ensures quality and compliance data for all sections is collected, analyzed, reviewed and disseminated in accordance with the requirements of accrediting agencies, particularly the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and BMCs Patient Quality and Safety department.
Oversees and ensures all RL6 Incident Safety reports are followed up to completion in a timely manner.
Informs Operations Director(s) in detail regarding STARS reports of high critical levels.
Works with Manager(s) of Quality & Compliance to prepare reports for Quality Improvement Program (QUIP) monthly reviews.
Ensures ongoing compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies for department section (including but not limited to: CLIA, TJC, OSHA, DPH, HCFA, FDA, AABB, NCCLS).
Participates in hospital-wide Quality Assurance Program as designed by regulatory agencies, by the BMC Quality and Patient Safety Department or by the departmental/sectional Quality Assurance Policies.
Participates in planning, data collection, monitoring evaluation and action on assigned projects within agreed upon time frames. This includes appropriate turnaround time studies and program logs as described in the departmental/sectional policy.
Supports technical staff throughout the department in management of Quality Control and Quality Assurance data in accordance with the Quality Control Policies of the department.
Ensures manager maintenance of Policy and Procedure Manuals using the NCCLS format in compliance with regulatory agencies ensuring documentation of supervisor and medical director annual review. Review performed in Media Lab.
Ensures familiarity with and proper usage of all required safety equipment including spill response kits and proper use of PPE.
Demonstrates a concern for patient safety and welfare and a commitment to the mission of the BMC.
Utilizes BMC values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission.
Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
Utilizing scientific experience and expertise, provides appropriate guidance and/or resolution for problems (i.e., problems involving analytic instrumentation equipment, tests systems clinical correlation, therapeutic decision making, backup systems, and system performance).
Plans, evaluates and implements new or different methodologies and technology that enhance or expand laboratory services in areas of oversight.
Reviews (monthly) documentation in areas of oversight that all equipment and instrumentation are properly maintained and in good working order.
Monitors managers for complete equipment record keeping including PM’s, service calls and IQ/OQ/PQ.
Interviews and aids in candidate selection with input from hospital staff, such as Human Resources personnel, the Medical Director of the Laboratory Section, and the technical staff.
Recommends salary rates for new employees while maintaining intra-departmental equity.
Provides guidance to managers for the orientation of all testing personnel to ensure that they can effectively perform procedures in accordance with laboratory standards.
Provides oversight of the counseling and disciplinary action process by coordinating activities with input from hospital staff, such as Human Resources personnel, the Medical Director of the Laboratory section, and other personnel as needed.
Executes disciplinary action consistent with hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
Documents as required.
Embraces the BMC Performance Management Process by providing on-going feed-back to staff and written annual evaluations.
Completes recommended manager training.
Ensures managers establish and document competency assessment of the technical staff.
Provides continuing education opportunities to staff.
Embraces and actively supports employee engagement, provides huddles and other forms of inter-departmental communication.
Works with other managers and supervisors to ensure the optimal utilization of the staff for the overall benefit of the department.
Facilitates cross training and other programs involved in intersectional cooperation.
Accurately documents staff attendance and ensures compliance with hospital policy regarding time management.
Demonstrates a commitment to continue self-development in management skills and scientific knowledge by attending at least one management and/or scientific workshop per year.
Demonstrates reliability: follows hospital and departmental policies and procedures; demonstrates consistent attendance and punctuality at work and departmental meetings; and completes work assignments within assigned time frames.
Provides coordination and consolidation of laboratory job descriptions, updates as required.
Communicates with staff through scheduled regular meetings.
Ensures agenda and summarizes meeting minutes to staff members via email or other transparent method.
Demonstrates willingness to accept instruction, guidance and/or feedback from staff, peers.
Effectively communicates with the medical and nursing staff to ensure the highest quality of service to user departments, individuals and caregivers.
Effectively cooperates and communicates with staff, members of other hospital departments.
Ensures a customer service focused environment at BMC’s laboratories.
Values and responds to customer feedback by taking appropriate action to improve suboptimal services.
Project management as assigned, requiring SME execution of project management software such as ProjectPlace.
Performs other duties as needed.
Must adhere to all of BMC’s RESPECT behavioral standards.