Laboratory Manager II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

26d • $5,600 - $6,440 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the minimal supervision of the Specimen Acquisition Branch Manager, this role plans, directs, manages, and supervises the Specimen Logistical staff, Courier Program Coordinator, and activities related to the logistics of routine and critical specimens. The position oversees the activities of the Specimen Logistics Group, including troubleshooting specimens, quality assurance, customer relations, and administrative functions. It also monitors compliance activities for regulatory and quality assurance requirements, staff performance, personnel training and competency, and develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedural Manuals. The role provides customer service to all internal and external customers and involves extensive latitude for protocol development and interpretation with advanced scientific knowledge and independent judgment. Additionally, it supports the creation of a laboratory-wide safety culture by serving as a liaison to the Safety Office to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Duties include performing other related work as assigned, including COOP activation.

Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of microbiological and chemical principles, techniques, and terminology.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety including sample-handling techniques.
• Knowledge of quality assurance functions, and of purchasing and material management procedures.
• Knowledge of statistics and their application to biological data.
• Knowledge of writing and reviewing standard operating procedures.
• Skill in establishing goals and objectives for work teams and in monitoring the progress of teams.
• Skill and ability to deal with stress.
• Skill to manipulate standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.
• Skill in centralized accounting and payroll/personnel system managerial aspects.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to use various items of laboratory equipment associated with work area.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff.
• Ability to work in harmony with other team members.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately.
• Ability to keep accurate, detailed records.
• Ability to use aseptic techniques when working with infectious material.
• Ability to complete tasks without close supervision and use of judgment in test interpretation.
• Ability to recognize and solve work area problems.
• Ability to ensure work area instruments and equipment are properly maintained.
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to direct wide spread activities covering the biochemistry and genetics fields.
• Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience.
• Ability to use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting.
• Ability to review and make recommendations based on study data.
• Ability to conduct personnel interviews and evaluations.
• Ability to determine and assess the functionality of LIM systems.
• Ability to lift, push, pull and carry packages/boxes/coolers up to 50 lbs. repeatedly throughout the day; for all packages over 50 lbs., assistance is required.
• Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver's license, or equivalent license from another state.
• Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical technology; or an Associate's degree in a laboratory science, medical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from a U.S. accredited institution with major course work in a related field. Experience and education can be substituted for one another on a year-by-year basis.
• Experience working in a clinical, research, environmental or public health laboratory for a minimum of three (3) years.
• Experience in quality assurance activities for a minimum of three (3) years.
• Experience in writing, developing, implementing, and monitoring policies and procedures for a minimum of three (3) years.

Nice To Haves

• Three (3) years’ experience in a supervisory role as a team lead or direct supervisor is also preferred.
• Experience with regulatory auditing entities such as Clinical Laboratory Improvement (CLIA) Amendment, College of American Pathologist (CAP), for a minimum of three (3) years preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversees activities of the Specimen Logistics Group and the Courier Coordinator.
• Directs personnel in the logistics and quality check of biochemical, genetics, special chemistry and microbiological specimens received in the Specimen Acquisition Branch.
• Supervises, plans, assigns and delegates tasks to ensure maximum productivity.
• Adapts processes to new and changing criteria.
• Assists in Continual Quality Improvement (CQI) projects.
• Participates in preparing document requirements for new Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and incorporating new technologies.
• Provides guidance to staff in the development and integration of new acceptance criteria and procedures.
• Ensures changes are communicated to employees, lab and program personnel (if applicable).
• Ensures that deadlines are met.
• Reviews the work of subordinates to verify accuracy and determination of submitted specimens.
• Provides customer service to submitters.
• Informs supervisor of any issues and/or changes affecting the Specimen Acquisition Branch.
• Coordinates and ensures accuracy and consistency of specimen quality acceptance review procedures.
• Performs independent review of problematic specimens to determine acceptability.
• Ensures that the review is completed within established time frames.
• Ensures that staff is trained to recognize and correctly respond to compromised samples encountered during testing.
• Coordinates and provides training as needed to upper level designated personnel to determine acceptability of specific specimens that would invalidate specific analytical screen test results.
• Organizes and facilitates periodic meetings for staff responsible for specimen acceptability reviews.
• Coordinates and performs monitoring and troubleshooting of accessioned specimens which lack correct demographic information required for testing or linking.
• Directs the linking of high volume first and second newborn screening specimens.
• Ensures specimen linking is completed accurately, efficiently and within established time frames.
• Provides customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Provides regular feedback assessment to Specimen Acquisition, demographic entry and reporting support service teams.
• Serves as an advanced resource on the NBS Program specimen logistics activities such as specimen acceptability, quality improvement tasks and specimen storage and use policies and procedures.
• Performs assignments to enhance workflow of the groups through cooperative interaction with coworkers.
• Coordinates and implements new procedures as appropriate.
• Oversees and monitors compliance activities for regulatory and quality assurance requirements.
• Ensures Specimen Logistics Group compliance with College of American Pathologist (CAP) regulations.
• Develops, modifies, implements, evaluates and maintains standard operating procedure manual and training materials.
• Participates in monitoring and documentation of quality assurance issues.
• Monitors accuracy rate for specimens submitted and initiates appropriate corrective action procedures.
• Prepares/reviews monthly quality assurance monitoring reports.
• Collaborates with the Safety Office and serves as the Group’s Safety Coordinator.
• Enforces safety policies and participate in Safety Coordinator/Safety Committee meetings, CDC online trainings, and trainings organized by the Safety Office.
• Collaborates with Group Manager and/or Team Leaders to monitor compliance and identify safety issues.
• Conducts clinical chemistry specific safety training for current and new employees as well as new procedures.
• Ensures continual observation of area to minimize the risk of job-related activities and monitors operations to eliminate hazardous activities.
• Requests information and clarification on safety requirements from Safety Office prior to changing or implementing new procedures.
• Ensures the required safety and health documents, periodic inspections of all safety equipment, and other safety measurements are complete and up to date.
• Assists Safety Office in accident investigation and proposes corrective actions.
• Completes routine reports and ad hoc reports.
• Attends meetings and ensures group documents follows DSHS/ Lab Document Retention Schedule of records.
• Notifies supervisor of technical or personnel problems that impact the functioning of the laboratory.
• Ensures adequate inventory of supplies to prevent delays in critical testing services.
• Collects, organizes, analyzes and prepares material in response to requests for information and reports.
• 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.
• Deliver/pick up boxes via state vehicle.
• Tasks require the ability to lift, push, pull and carry packages/boxes/coolers up to 50 lbs repeatedly throughout the day; for all packages over 50 lbs, assistance is required.
• Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

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
• Education Level: Associate degree