Laboratory Manager

Medical Clinic of Houston, L.L.P.•West University Place, TX

About The Position

The Laboratory Manager ensures the Clinic Laboratory Department is compliant with the Lab Compliance Plan, CLIA, CAP, OSHA, and other regulations. This role involves preparing the lab for inspections, interacting with physicians and nursing administration regarding test results, performing employee reviews, interviewing candidates, training employees, updating standard operating procedures, monitoring lab results, troubleshooting instruments and assays, coordinating repairs, and integrating new testing technologies. The manager also monitors reference lab performance, participates in budgeting, provides variance explanations, manages inventory, and performs cost analysis. Key responsibilities include managing all laboratory operations, ensuring completeness of work, proper staffing, appropriate training, and adherence to policies. The role also emphasizes providing excellent customer service and positive outcomes during conflict resolution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and Medical Technologist (or equivalent) certification.
Medical Technologist (or equivalent) – 8+ years full-time experience in a clinical laboratory setting.
ASCP or equivalent certification.
Thorough knowledge of laboratory safety and infection control procedures and practices, including standard precautions and hazardous chemical handling.
Considerable knowledge of laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and terminology.
Considerable knowledge of clinical laboratory procedures.
Considerable knowledge of regulatory agencies’ standards.
Considerable knowledge of LIS and EMR (EPIC) systems.
Considerable knowledge of budgetary processes.
Ability to make accurate observations and written reports of test results.
Ability to train and evaluate the job performance of various laboratory personnel and students.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees.

Responsibilities

Manages, establishes, and plans the overall policies and procedures for the Laboratory Department.
Works closely with Clinic staff, supervisors, managers, directors, physicians, and nursing administration to ensure the highest Lab standards of quality and service are maintained.
Writes and updates procedures as needed and reviews them annually to ensure that employees have the correct information to perform specimen processing and testing.
Prepares and monitors annual capital and operating budgets, including detailed monthly analysis of actual vs. budget variances.
Prepares proformas and presentations regarding budget, capital requests, overall laboratory status, and potential for bringing in new tests.
Performs and presents quarterly Medicare Compliance Audits.
Performs LIS duties including instrument interfacing, rule writing, test file development, and validations.
Plans and implements installation and validation of new analyzers.
Reviews and reconciles reference laboratory invoices.
Oversees the work of non-technical and technical Laboratory Department personnel performing routine and specialized procedures to ensure high quality results.
Ensures equipment is operated, maintained, and repaired as per policy.
Observes, evaluates, and plans work performed by the Laboratory Department as needed to ensure efficient workflow. Makes workflow changes and instructs employees as needed to obtain maximum efficiency.
Interprets CAP, CLIA, and OSHA standards or guidelines. Initiates corrective action as soon as a deficiency is identified. Completes checklist and other information sheets required and coordinates on-site inspection of the Laboratory Department.
Handles procedural and technical Laboratory problems immediately, analyzes the root cause of the problems, and incorporates procedural changes to prevent the problems from occurring again.
Develops, implements, and monitors the Quality Control, Performance Improvement, IQAP, Proficiency Testing, and Quality Assurance Programs as defined for the Clinic’s Laboratory Department as needed to ensure high quality testing and results. Prepares and maintains all applicable records as needed to meet regulatory agency requirements.
Develops, implements, monitors, and documents the Laboratory Department’s Compliance Plan.
Develops, implements, and monitors the Infection Control and Safety Programs (i.e. OSHA Regulations, the Clinic’s Exposure Control Plan [PPE, Bloodborne Pathogens, etc.], and CAP/CLIA Regulations) for the Laboratory Department as needed to ensure a safe work environment for employees. Prepares and maintains all applicable records as needed to meet regulatory agency requirements.
Prepares technical/statistical reports, such as monthly workload volumes and employee productivity levels.
Stays abreast of the latest technical and management developments and incorporates them during the development of Laboratory Department procedures and techniques. Develops new procedures and policies as needed.
Develops, implements, monitors, and documents Staff Development, including customer service development of Laboratory Department employees.
Plans, develops, presents, and documents Laboratory employee in-services as deemed necessary by the Laboratory Manager.
Designs appropriate work schedules, including vacation schedules, and plans daily work assignments for Laboratory employees to ensure sufficient competent staff are present to meet the Clinic patients’ testing needs. Maintains an efficient workflow while following budgetary guidelines.
Performs various personnel functions including, but not limited to, interviewing, hiring, performance appraisals, promotions, and transfers.
Measures and maintains par level supply inventory.
Utilizes various Laboratory and Clinic information systems and software.
Communicates in a professional and courteous manner with physicians, patients, nurses, visitors, and other medical personnel when obtaining information, answering questions, or providing information.
Demonstrates good judgement and decision-making abilities in all aspects of his/her performance and provides advanced problem solving, troubleshooting, interpretation, and verification of specimen quality and test results.
Develops goals, evaluates proposed policy changes, assigns objectives, and establishes standards of practice for the Laboratory Department.
Plans, coordinates, evaluates, and documents student training in the Laboratory.
Plans, coordinates, evaluates, and documents new employee training in the Laboratory. Determines personnel abilities and verifies competence prior to test reporting.
Performs annual evaluation and competency testing of all Laboratory personnel and maintains appropriate documentation.
Reviews and updates Laboratory Department policies and procedures under the direction of the Laboratory Medical Director.
Performs duties delegated by the Laboratory Medical Director.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.