Laboratory Manager III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

2d • $6,300 - $7,245 • Onsite

About The Position

Under minimal supervision, performs complex (journey-level) managerial work, plans, directs, and supervises the technical resources and activities related to administering the daily operations and activities for the specimen support services of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Laboratory. Supervises daily operations and group activities of the Microbiology Check-In Group including but not limited to quality assurance, technical resources, pre-analytical receiving and processing a high volume of critical specimens for clinical testing and administrative functions. Responsible for internal/external communications including information including providing information to public health personnel as needed. Responsible for monitoring staff, personnel training, and competency, and developing and assigning staffing schedules. Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedural Manuals and participates in preparing document requirements for new Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and incorporating new technologies. Provides customer service. Oversees compliance to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), ISO 17025:2005, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), regulations. Duties are performed with extensive latitude to develop and interpret protocol with advanced use of scientific knowledge and independent judgment. Responsible for keeping supervisor advised of any issues and/or changes affecting the Specimen Acquisition Branch. 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. Performs other related work as assigned including COOP activation.

Requirements

• 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.
• Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver's license, or equivalent license from another state.
• 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; 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 microbiology and clinical chemistry 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.

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), ISO 17025:2005, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for a minimum of three (3) years preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages activities of the Microbiology Check-In Group.
• Directs personnel in the pre-analytical receiving, processing, and accessioning of clinical specimens received in the Specimen Acquisition Branch.
• Supervises, plans, assigns, and delegates tasks to ensure maximum productivity.
• Prepares system required documents for new LIMS and directs the implementation of technologies.
• Adapts processes to new and changing criteria and assists with Continual Quality Improvement (CQI) projects.
• Provides direction and guidance to staff in the development and integration of new acceptance criteria and procedures.
• Ensures changes are communicated to employees, laboratory customers, and program personnel (if applicable).
• Checks the work of subordinates to verify accuracy and ensures deadlines are met.
• Supervises assigned staff.
• Coordinates posting of vacant positions, develops screening criteria, interview questions and selection criteria, and conducts interviewing and selection process.
• Reviews and updates job descriptions.
• Develops employee performance plans.
• Conducts and maintains performance evaluations.
• Addresses and documents performance and disciplinary issues promptly and professionally.
• Coordinates training and coaching needs; maintains and verifies training and competency documentation.
• Coaches, counsels, and provides constructive feedback on performance to employees.
• Monitors and approves employee time and leave requests in Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) and runs Time Certification reports to ensure all employees have complied with time certification requirements.
• Provides customer service.
• Ensures that internal and external customer needs are met.
• Solves logistical and technical problems; advises section personnel on processing procedures for complex or unusual specimens and samples.
• Communicates with supervisors in other laboratory areas regarding special specimens or circumstances, then coordinates the processing of those specimens with staff.
• Provides information regarding specimen submission to health care providers and DSHS program staff as required.
• Develops and implements processes for monitoring compliance activities for regulatory and quality assurance requirements.
• Ensures team compliance with CLIA/CAP, ISO 17025:2005, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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 clinical check-in specimens and initiates appropriate corrective action procedures.
• Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations to improve operations.
• Prepares/reviews monthly quality assurance monitoring reports.
• Collaborates with the Safety Office.
• Serves as the Group’s Safety Coordinator.
• Enforces safety policies and participates in Safety Coordinator/Safety Committee meetings, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) online trainings, and trainings organized by the Safety Office.
• Collaborates with Group Managers and/or Team Leaders to monitor compliance and identify safety issues.
• Conducts 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.
• Performs administrative functions that includes the coordination of shipment of dangerous goods and other laboratory specimens and samples for the Public Health Laboratory Division.
• Completes routine reports and ad hoc reports.
• Schedules, facilitates, and attends meetings.
• Ensures group documents follow 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.
• Oversees the shipping requirements enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) including but not limited to ensuring staff are certified and trained to ship biological substances in accordance with International Air Transportation Association (IATA) requirements and verifying the accuracy of others’ work.
• Performs other duties as assigned including but 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.
• Delivers/picks up specimens or packages via state vehicle.
• 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