Laboratory Supervisor, Blood Bank Lab - Full-Time, Day Shift

UChicago Medicine•Harvey, IL

2d•$97,600 - $113,800•Onsite

About The Position

Ingalls Memorial Hospital is seeking a Laboratory Supervisor for its Blood Bank laboratory. The supervisor trains, supervises, and holds laboratory staff accountable; provides instruction on the theoretical basis of laboratory procedures; conducts performance appraisals; and serves as the primary technical and operational resource for the designated area. The role also contributes to budgeting, staffing, inventory control, safety, compliance, quality improvement, and efficient laboratory operations. This is a full-time, 1.0 FTE, day-shift position based at the Harvey location and is 100% onsite. The employee must be based in the greater Chicagoland area. The supervisor supports the hospital’s philosophy, mission, and vision and follows its policies, procedures, standards of care, and corporate compliance requirements. The role collaborates regularly with pathologists on critical value limits, workload analysis, method changes, accreditation readiness, method validation, and other technical and operational functions. It also works with hospital departments, physicians, patients, visitors, laboratory clients, and reference laboratory contacts to support timely, accurate, and compliant testing and service. The position oversees pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical work; instrument and information-system troubleshooting; quality control and proficiency testing; staff competency and performance; documentation; regulatory readiness; and the investigation of issues affecting specimen acceptability, results, and turnaround time. The supervisor leads or contributes to performance improvement and Lean initiatives, trains staff on new technologies and procedures, and helps implement new tests and recommend alternative instrumentation or processes. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in a clinical laboratory workplace, with no more than a 2-year gap.
At least 1 year of training and/or experience in high-complexity testing.
B.S. or B.A. in medical technology or chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science.
MT (ASCP) certification or equivalent.
Working knowledge of scientific principles attained through a baccalaureate degree and/or laboratory experience as prescribed by CLIA-88.
Considerable problem-solving ability and experience evaluating results.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with physicians, patients, visitors, and hospital staff.
Computer experience with LIS, PC, HIS, Microsoft Office, or similar systems.
Must be based in the greater Chicagoland area.
Must complete a pre-employment physical, background check, and drug screening and comply with flu vaccination requirements before hire; medical and religious exemptions will be considered as permitted by law.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience in a Blood Bank laboratory.
Successful challenge of an accredited proficiency examination and/or certification through ASCP, NAACLS, HEW, or an equivalent agency.

Responsibilities

Train, supervise, assign tasks to, and hold laboratory staff accountable, including reference laboratory personnel in coordination with the reference laboratory business representative.
Conduct staff performance appraisals; oversee staff performance, growth records, corrective action plans, and competency documentation.
Provide theoretical instruction and guidance to laboratory staff, patients, visitors, students, and co-workers regarding laboratory tests and procedures.
Support departmental operations, business development, budgeting, financial reporting, cost containment, revenue enhancement, inventory, supplies, vendor selection, and staffing according to workload and budget guidelines.
Maintain departmental policies, procedures, forms, and manuals in compliance with document control standards and regulatory requirements.
Develop and monitor safety and waste management procedures, and follow Standard Precautions and hospital and laboratory safety policies.
Perform standard and specialized automated and non-automated laboratory techniques; operate, troubleshoot, and maintain instruments, equipment, peripheral devices, and applicable computer systems.
Ensure remedial action is taken when test systems deviate from performance specifications and maintain accurate records and documentation.
Oversee pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, including specimen acceptability, result processing, reporting, and turnaround time.
Investigate issues affecting specimen collection, result reporting, turnaround time, and quality or timeliness of patient results.
Evaluate quality control statistics and trends, implement corrective actions, and monitor their effectiveness.
Take primary responsibility for departmental proficiency testing and participate in departmental proficiency testing activities.
Evaluate and interpret test results, recognize abnormal values, correlate results with clinical data when available, and ensure critical values are called and documented.
Ensure STAT tests are completed within required timeframes, such as less than 45 minutes.
Troubleshoot LIS and HIS issues and train staff in the use of LIS and other applicable computer systems.
Collaborate with pathologists on critical value levels, workload analysis, method changes, method validation, accreditation readiness, system modifications, and other operational issues.
Prepare, review, and communicate required reports; provide written variance reports when required; and develop annual written goals and objectives with the manager.
Participate as a lead resource on hospital and laboratory committees and hold monthly staff meetings.
Support departmental Lean initiatives and use PDCA and professional development learning to improve workflows and resolve operational challenges.
Identify, organize, and lead departmental performance improvement initiatives aligned with clinical and service excellence goals.
Evaluate and recommend alternative instrumentation, equipment, or processes to support timely and accurate test results.
Assist with implementation of new tests by providing technical specifications to computer operations and accounting for system setup and billing.
Communicate pertinent information across shifts and laboratory sections, maintain working relationships with hospital personnel and reference laboratory contacts, and help resolve issues and interpret results as applicable.
Communicate with physicians about patient results, turnaround times, test limitations, and appropriate follow-up testing strategies.
Provide technical support to reference laboratory accounts and staff and support coordination and service delivery.
Promote professional, respectful, and collaborative interactions with patients, physicians, visitors, co-workers, and hospital staff; meet or exceed customer service goals.
Pursue ongoing professional development through at least three listed activities annually: job-related seminars, ASCP Tech Samples or equivalent, instrument school in-services or vendor education, management or supervisory seminars, or self-improvement courses.
Perform other duties as assigned.