Lead Lab Technologist Night Shift

Yale-New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

34d•Onsite

About The Position

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day. Under the supervision of the Supervisor and the Laboratory Manager, the Lead Medical Lab Scientist assists with the oversite of laboratory operations, including the monitoring of day -to-day operations, scheduling or edits to work assignments as needed, advanced problem-solving resolution, ordering and inventory control, and contributes to the employee appraisal system. Assists with the laboratory Quality Control and Quality Assurance programs. Serves as the section lead with regard to special projects, IT changes and upgrades, new protocols, and the implementation or evaluation of new instrumentation. Provides technical assistance to all staff and serves as a resource capable of handling complex problems. Cooperatively and proactively assists in other areas as needed in a teamwork-oriented environment. Maintains procedure knowledge and implements all new and revised procedures in real time. Provides proficiency testing oversight following all routine standards and workflow. Maintains effective communications and harmoniously transfers information of new and revised procedures to employee's following all CHAMP and HRO standards. Maintains operational effectiveness and assumes full responsibility for continuing education requirements, licensure, and expertise to adapt as needed to an expanding department with increased testing complexity. EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology or equivalent with MLS / MT (ASCP) certification or equivalent. Continuing education, project involvement, high performance maintenance, and professional commitment required.
Two (2) to three (3) years experience in a Clinical Laboratory required.
MT(ASCP) certification, equivalent certification or certification eligibility preferred. Transcript and diploma review required to determine eligibility for performing high complexity testing if not ASCP certified.
Working knowledge and experience with instrumentation and equipment used in a clinical laboratory setting; superior leadership skills required. High level efficiency in word processing applications, spreadsheet design /utilization and use of web-based resources. High level of knowledge of laboratory information systems preferred. Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate in an effective and professional manner with hospital staff. Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills are required. The ability to work as a member of a team is essential.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates knowledge of all aspects of a given assay, including such concepts as analytical theory, quality control evaluation, reference ranges, critical values, clinical significance of the assay, instrumentation used, reagent stability, calibration, etc.
Demonstrates the ability to write laboratory procedures that conform to CLSI, CLIA, and CAP standards. Reviews and updates procedures on an annual or as-needed basis. Ensures that all staff in the section have read and understand all applicable procedures and/or revisions.
Performs tests according to laboratory procedures with acceptable accuracy and precision. Performs at a high degree of skill with regards to analytical instrumentation, including operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance procedures.
As requested, in conjunction with the Medical Director, Laboratory Manager, and the Supervisor develops and/or evaluates new tests and methods including statistical testing, reagent issues, test codes/fee codes, LIS issues, staff training, etc. Makes recommendations about implementation of these procedures.
Monitors daily workflow; and addresses problems/issues as they arise. Proactively and continually reassesses staffing needs in the lab section and rearranges staff as required in order to maintain optimum operational efficiency and attain target turnaround time goals.
Ensures that proper procedures are being followed by the staff; intervenes and takes corrective actions when improper procedures are being utilized.
Along with Laboratory Manager and the Supervisor, develops and implements training checklists, scripts and competency assessment materials used for staff training. Utilizes these materials to effectively perform and document staff training and competency in an organized fashion.
Participates in the Performance Review process for supervised staff by providing appropriate and timely input to the supervisor; maintains detailed documentation of incidents where performance standards are exceeded/not met.
Monitors staff compliance with hospital and laboratory policies and procedures.
Assists with conflicts among staff. Obtains facts in response to specific complaints and discharges limited disciplinary action when appropriate or deemed urgent.
Reviews on a regular basis all aspects of laboratory's QC program, including QC data assessment by the staff, documentation of corrective actions, review of QC data on a weekly/monthly basis, investigation and documentation of actions in response to outliers/shifts/trends.
Participates in the laboratories Quality Assurance program, analyzes data, participates in the development of corrective actions, and implements corrective actions.
Oversees the CAP Proficiency Testing program to ensure that PT samples are tested in a timely fashion and in a manner that is compliant with regulatory requirements; completes CAP action reports for all results that exceed two standard deviations from peer group mean; investigates outliers and shifts/trends for possible corrective actions.
Monitors and maintains inventory for the laboratory section; orders laboratory supplies/reagents in a manner that ensures adequate inventory levels; keeps emergency orders to less to a minimum.
Demonstrates excellent problem-solving skills; responds to problems in an immediate fashion; thoroughly investigates all aspects of the problem; responds to complaints in a timely fashion; demonstrates excellent customer service by always being courteous and responsive to a complaint
Ensures that the laboratory is in compliance with all items on the current CAP inspection checklist.
Supports staff in activities that enhance overall laboratory efficiency and environment. Recognizes staff ideas, encourages suggestions by providing feedback.
Demonstrates knowledge of use of laboratory computer functions including downtime procedures.
Has excellent communication skills. Effectively communicates with the staff in a clear and concise manner. Encourages and elicits feedback from staff on work process improvement. Communicates well with other members of the Hospital staff, including physicians, nurses, managers, and supervisors of other departments. Maintains open communication with other members of the Department of Laboratory Medicine, including the Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Managers, and other section coordinators. Effectively communicates pertinent issues to the Laboratory Manager.
Participates in continuing education / professional enrichment and engages staff to participate in In-House special educational opportunities.
Demonstrates a sensitivity to needs of coworkers and patients by monitoring adherence to policies governing confidentiality. Takes immediate action when violations occur.
Accepts constructive criticism in a positive manner and takes immediate corrective action to improve performance when needed.
Provides emotional support to staff when unusual situations arise. Organizes and assists others until situation stabilizes.
Privately provides valuable feedback to staff. Never openly criticizes or embarrasses staff.
Acts a contact for education for visiting students as well as Laboratory Residents.