Laboratory Courier Coordinator

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

9d • $4,263 - $5,521 • Onsite

About The Position

Performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work that includes coordinating activities required to implement, operate and monitor state-wide courier services for the Public Health Laboratory Division. Develops policies and procedures. Provides consultative services and technical assistance to Laboratory and DSHS program staff, external customers, and the courier contractor. Provides customer service. Evaluates the effectiveness of the courier service and prepares management reports. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the roles of public health laboratories.
• Knowledge of clinical, diagnostic, research, environmental and/or public health laboratory testing.
• Knowledge of specimen handling and shipping.
• Knowledge of microbiological and chemical principles and terminology.
• Knowledge of State and federal regulations related to the transportation of clinical and/or dangerous goods specimens.
• Knowledge of DSHS and HHSC policies and procedures for budget management and tracking, fiscal accounting, purchasing and contracting, and grants management.
• Knowledge of Laboratory and/or public health policies and procedures.
• Skill in Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Skill in effective customer service practices.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in synthesizing and analyzing complex information for a variety of purposes.
• Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Skill in time management and planning.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.
• Ability to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, analyze, and evaluate data to devise solutions to problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to prepare concise reports with recommendations.
• Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Ability to read, understand, and explain state and federal regulations related to the transportation of clinical specimens and/or dangerous goods specimens.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with individuals at all levels within DSHS.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with internal and external customers, providing consultative services and technical assistance.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks, prioritize heavy workloads and meet deadlines.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and projects and work effectively with teams.
• Ability to handle stressful situations.
• Ability to create, review and follow standard operating procedures.
• Ability to complete assignments without close supervision.
• Three years’ experience in Customer Service.
• Two years’ experience in gathering, manipulating, and evaluating data.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a clinical, diagnostic, research, environmental and/or public health laboratory, preferred.
• Experience with shipping regulations, preferred.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a field relevant to this position, preferred.
• Experience managing large projects and budgets, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides customer service. Ensures that eligible providers receive the training materials and instructions necessary to schedule a pick-up and to package specimens appropriately for shipment. Assists with customer inquiries or issues related to the courier service. Resolves customer service problems and documents quality assurance issues. Provides internal customer service by communicating delays and issues with shipments.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the courier services and prepares management reports. Monitors courier performance, verifies invoices, and monitors courier budget. Requests input from eligible submitters, laboratory staff Quality Assurance Office, and program areas on the effectiveness of the courier service. Identifies problems and proposes corrective actions. Adds, removes, and changes provider schedules, as needed. Prepares reports and meetings as required by Laboratory management. Gathers and evaluates statistical data such as number of specimens transported, turnaround time, and number of specimens received in unsatisfactory condition, etc. and identifies trends.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures. Collaborates with laboratory staff, Program Staff, Laboratory Managers and/or the courier contractor to develop and implement policies and procedures for the use of the courier service enrolled submitters. Develops and maintains educational materials for courier service enrolled submitters such as courier user manuals and educational reminders.
• Provides consultative services and technical assistance to Laboratory and DSHS program staff and external customers. Works closely with DSHS Privacy Office to report any HIPAA breaches and provide notifications to affected individuals. Works with the Container Preparation Group Manager and staff to create and update, as necessary, forms for ordering of supplies required for packaging specimens for transport by the courier. Coordinate the purchase and inventory of lockboxes, as needed. Works closely with Laboratory Educators and Specimen Logistics groups to recruit submitters for courier services, as budget allows. Works closely with Laboratory Accounting to enter requisitions and pay invoices. Participates in the selection process for new or continuing courier contracts.
• Performs other duties as assigned including but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level