MLS Supervisor-BMH-Full time, Days

Centra Health•Bedford, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisor Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) oversees a range of essential duties and responsibilities critical to the clinical diagnostics field. This role includes personnel management, ensuring professional growth, and conducting assessments. The Supervisor is responsible for regulatory compliance and quality, upholding strict standards set by regulatory bodies such as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), and The Joint Commission (TJC). Additionally, the supervisor plays a key role in overseeing specimen processing, test performance, quality control, proficiency testing, corrective actions, problem resolution, customer service, staff management, and scheduling. Assists manager in clinical and administrative departmental functions. Documentation and maintaining records are essential components of this role. This role is full time, and will work Monday-Friday, day shift hours -7am-3:30pm.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a laboratory science (chemical or biological science) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution, or equivalent laboratory training and experience meeting the requirements defined in the CLIA regulation 42CFR493.1489.
Eligible for professional certification with either American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) and expected to attain certification within one year of employment. Failure to do so will result in termination of employment.
Candidates meeting other provisions defined in 42CFR493.1489(b)(2)(B)(4) or 42CFR493.1489(b)(2)(B)(5)(i) for relevant testing personnel on or before February 28, 1992 (refer to the CLIA regulations for more details) do not require certification.
Candidates receiving ASCP certification after January 1, 2004, are required to engage in and uphold their ASCP certification via the ASCP's certification maintenance program.
Individuals obtaining AMT certification after January 1, 2006, must participate in and preserve their AMT certification through the AMT certification continuation program.
At least three to five years of experience as MLS in an acute care hospital laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing support and supervision to staff, ensuring their professional growth and development.
Conduct regular assessments and performance evaluations for direct reports to promote continuous improvement and skill development.
Implement effective communication and feedback mechanisms to foster a positive work environment and address any personnel-related issues.
Collaborate with HR and management to handle staffing needs, including recruitment, training, disciplinary actions, and retention strategies.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulations, and standards in all personnel-related matters.
Collaborate with laboratory leadership to align budgetary decisions with organizational goals and contribute to maintaining the organization's financial vitality.
Ensures that all employees are obligated to uphold strict compliance with all regulations and standards set by CLIA, CAP, OSHA, TJC, and other regulatory bodies.
Perform duties as assigned by the medical director.
Ensures all employees must complete the necessary initial orientation and training, obtain, and maintain relevant certifications, participate annually in mandatory training, competency assessments, and consistently demonstrate satisfactory job-specific performance assessments on an on-going basis.
Assist laboratory operations in maintaining fiscal responsibility by using resources appropriately, including but not limited to, inventory management, equipment procurement and maintenance, and investigating utilization when variances occur.
Ensures that all employees process patient samples efficiently, perform both moderate and high complexity tests, and report results accurately, including critical results to nursing and/or providers, and contributing to the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions.
Ensures that all employees perform complex procedures ensuring that each task aligns with the MLS's level of education, training, experience, and technical skills.
Ensures that all employees adhere strictly to the laboratory’s standard operating procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, and reporting.
Maintains comprehensive records of patient test outcomes.
Oversees, documents, and troubleshoots all quality control testing, including instrument calibrations and maintenance required per policy/procedure to ensure consistent test accuracy and reliability.
Oversees and maintains records demonstrating that proficiency testing samples are processed with the same rigor and accuracy as patient samples.
Oversees and implements established policies for corrective action when test systems deviate from acceptable performance levels.
Identify, rectify and/or report any issues that may impact test performance or results.
Detect and address problems that could negatively affect test performance.
Escalate issues to laboratory leadership when necessary.
Keep detailed records of all required documentation including corrective actions taken when test systems fall outside established specifications.
Perform delegated tasks for the designated CLIA role.
Perform onboarding, orienting, training, and conducting ongoing assessments and competencies for staff.
Perform ongoing quality assurance and accreditation-related tasks, ensuring that mandatory tasks are successfully completed before deadlines to maintain compliance and inspection readiness.
Perform weekly/monthly quality control review and implementing remedial and corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Perform proficiency testing tasks, including distribution, reporting, reviewing, assessing, investigating deviations from performance, and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Maintain mandated records to ensure continuous inspection readiness.
Actively participate and represent the laboratory at interdisciplinary ad hoc touchpoints, meetings, and committees to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and foster collaboration across departments.
Engagement in process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and effectiveness of laboratory operations within the organization.
Oversight of and perform routine audits in all departments, document findings, and disseminate information to laboratory leadership.
Maintain effective communication with the interdisciplinary team, ensuring quality patient care and adherence to laboratory protocols.
Provide expert guidance on laboratory testing methods, procedures, and guidelines.
Manage assigned tasks independently and assist team members as needed to maintain workflow efficiency.
Address and resolve conflicts using appropriate and timely measures, ensuring a harmonious workplace.
Organize work to align with laboratory order entries, specimen labeling, and specimen receiving while maintaining a clean and orderly workspace.
Actively participate in activities geared towards performance improvement, including Lean and Six Sigma process improvement projects.
Serve as an expert resource for staff and other professionals, providing technical guidance and ensuring best practices in laboratory procedures.
Perform any additional duties as assigned or requested, as the job specifications may be modified or updated at any time.