NBS Specimen Logistics Team Lead

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

5d • $3,793 - $4,857 • Onsite

About The Position

Performs highly complex (senior-level) public health work under the limited supervision of the Newborn Screening (NBS) Specimen Logistics Group Manager, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Serves as Team Leader for NBS Specimen Logistics. Oversees, coordinates, directs, and manages NBS Specimen Logistics resources and activities. Leads and prioritizes the workload of the NBS Specimen Logistics team with a focus on customer service and the continuous improvement of specimen quality and handling. Ensures compliance to pre-analytical testing criteria and specifications in adherence to regulatory requirements. Serves as an authority, technical resource, and primary contact for specimen acceptability, specimen decision and destruction processes, and residual specimen releases, and provides assistance to program staff, the general public, stakeholders, and public health facilities staff. Conduct and coordinates the training of laboratory employees on routine procedures, non-routine/trouble shooting, and other required QA/QC procedures. Provides input for personnel management activities. Collects, organizes, and prepares materials for records management and coordinates quality assurance activities. Supports the creation of a laboratory-wide safety culture by serving as a liaison to the Safety Office to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Performs other related work as assigned including COOP activation.

Requirements

• Experience working in a clinical, research, or environmental laboratory.
• Experience working with internal customers within an organization and external customers outside an organization.
• Experience in training, mentoring, or coaching staff or peers.
• Associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in microbiological, chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution. 3 years’ experience in applicable public health programs such as laboratory or newborn screening may be substituted.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to public health.
• Knowledge of social, economic, and public health issues.
• Knowledge of microbiological and chemical principles, techniques, and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety including sample-handling techniques.
• Skill in problem solving and critical thinking.
• Skill in collection and handling of protected health data and other confidential records.
• Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Skill in creating, maintaining, and using electronic reports and spreadsheets.
• Skill in business grammar, proofreading, and editing.
• Skill in effective customer service techniques.
• Skill in educational techniques and procedures.
• Ability to interpret, understand, and adhere to applicable public health laws and rules including handling and storage of confidential records and protected health information.
• Ability to maintain several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to assign and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff and work in harmony with other team members.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately.
• Ability to keep accurate, detailed records in files and databases.
• Ability to handle specimens and samples quickly, accurately, and safely.
• Ability to complete tasks without close supervision and use considerable discretion and mature judgement in interactions with public and interpretation of protected health data.
• Ability to understand/interpret laboratory results and public health law and regulations.
• Ability to lift, push, pull and carry packages/boxes/coolers up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day; for all packages over 50 pounds, assistance is required.
• Ability to climb stairs and use ladders/step-ladders.
• Ability to train others.

Nice To Haves

• Experience serving in a team leader, lead worker, or other supervisory position.
• Experience with Quality Assurance, developing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Responsibilities

• Serves as a Team Lead for Specimen Logistics. Oversees activities in the NBS Storage Warehouse located in the HHSC Warehouse facility.
• Serves as a back-up for the Courier Coordinator.
• Directs activities of NBS Specimen Logistics Team including but not limited to: prioritizing and assigning workloads and duties and ensuring that each task is completed on time.
• Maintains technical proficiency in all specimen processing procedures and assists with bench duties as needed.
• Coordinates coverage of bench duties daily.
• Serves as a positive role model by fostering teamwork and leading by example.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and resource for NBS Specimen Logistics workflow and customer service issues.
• Consults with Group Manager and/or Branch Manager concerning logistical and technical problems and makes recommendations.
• Assists with developing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) following document control procedures and policies.
• Ensures accuracy of procedures performed by the NBS Specimen Logistics team through regular reviews of Quality Assurance (QA) monitoring parameters.
• Ensures staff adhere to established policies and procedures by conducting random/unplanned periodic audits or competencies and reviewing daily work, as needed.
• Identifies discrepancies, implements and documents corrective actions and outcomes.
• Assists with the preparation for regulatory audits.
• May assist with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) system including verification of system requirements, testing and validation, and production phases.
• Trains or coordinates training for NBS Specimen Logistics staff on bench duties.
• Coaches and mentors staff as needed.
• Provides manager with feedback concerning employee performance as well as staffing requirements.
• Recommends appropriate training and education for staff and job description updates for area positions.
• Coordinates and participates in interview and selection process, recommending best applicant for positions.
• Monitors, documents and forwards information about NBS Specimen Logistics Team staff performance to supervisor.
• Provides input on acceptability of NBS Specimen Logistics Team staff leave requests.
• Coordinates with QA, Laboratory Records Subject Matter Experts (SME), and Agency Records Staff to appropriately store or archive NBS Specimen Logistics worksheets and documentation according to records retention policies.
• Maintains accurate archiving records.
• Provides customer service to internal and external customers ensuring their needs are met.
• Advises customers regarding information of routine and non-routine specimen submission.
• Coordinates with testing laboratory staff to improve the efficiency of procedures/protocol.
• Facilitates communication between technical and non-technical areas and communicates information to staff as necessary.
• Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or COOP activation. Such participation may include an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree