Laboratory Processing Coordinator

Yale New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

About The Position

The Laboratory Processing Coordinator works closely with managers and coordinators in the Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Departments. The role performs the daily tasks of Medical Laboratory Assistants and oversees and coordinates the Anatomic Pathology (AP) Specimen Processing area. In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager, the Coordinator helps maintain and improve workflow and supports staff training, scheduling, inventory management, procedure review, competency requirements, and day-to-day operations. The Coordinator supervises the AP Specimen Processing area and Laboratory Associate staff under the Laboratory Manager’s supervision. The role supports specimen handling and processing, including work with frozen sections and fine needle aspirates, and coordinates specimen needs with Yale School of Medicine Pathology, the SRC staff, onsite Pathologists, and SRC operating room areas. The position also supports office work as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
Three to five years of experience working as a lab aide or in an equivalent setting.
Excellent knowledge of laboratory processing, workflow, and medical terminology.
Excellent communication, team-building, and organizational skills.
Self-directed, with an interest in educating, giving instructions, and serving as a resource staff member.
Ability to multitask and prioritize in response to workload fluctuations.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with technical and non-technical staff.
Excellent critical-thinking and problem-solving skills and good computer skills.
Ability to train new hires and provide in-service training to staff.
Consistently display effective HRO CHAMP behaviors and professionalism.
One to three years of supervisory experience is preferred but not required.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree.
One to three years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Perform daily tasks of the Laboratory Associate and other duties within the work section as needed.
Assist the PA with handling and cutting frozen section samples, fine needle aspirates, and other requests.
Use the Laboratory Information Systems and implement downtime procedures.
Supervise the Anatomic Pathology Specimen Processing area and Laboratory Associate staff under the Laboratory Manager’s supervision.
Provide input to the Laboratory Manager for Laboratory Associate staff performance reviews and maintain documentation of performance incidents.
Work with Laboratory Managers to maintain and improve AP accessioning workflow, coordinate training and employee scheduling, and oversee daily operations.
Assist with onboarding and training new employees, compile new-hire training packets, and provide feedback on trainee performance.
Reassess staffing needs and rearrange staff as needed to maintain operational efficiency and meet turnaround-time goals.
Assist with writing and annually reviewing procedures for Laboratory Associate work processes.
Participate in staff training and education, perform required competency assessments, and document training.
Follow laboratory safety policies and procedures, including emergency procedures, and monitor staff compliance.
Monitor quality in applicable work areas, develop corrective action plans for significant errors, collect follow-up data, and ensure proper procedures are followed.
Review quality assurance forms with staff when errors occur and enter RLs to improve patient safety.
Communicate clearly with staff, encourage feedback on work-process improvements, and monitor customer-service standards.
Communicate with hospital staff, including physicians, nurses, managers, and supervisors, and advocate for the Laboratory.
Assist with safety orientation and annual safety training, maintain section inventory, and encourage teamwork and engagement.
Coordinate the needs of the Yale School of Medicine Pathology department and LA staff at SRC; work with YSM management to ensure proper specimen handling and shipping.
Coordinate with the onsite Pathologist and SRC operating room areas for specimen pickups or frozen-section handling.
Provide office support as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.