Assistant Lab Manager - North Liberty Pathology

About the role

The Assistant Lab Manager ensures the smooth, efficient operation of the MCNL laboratory by supervising assigned personnel, performing assigned administrative functions, overseeing and managing technical and operational functions of the laboratory and performing other tasks and duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Provides clinical, technical, managerial and developmental leadership to staff.
• Mentors and coaches staff, as appropriate.
• Disseminates general information and pertinent policy or procedure changes.
• Ensures staff are compliant with policies, procedures and regulations.
• Support laboratory initiatives in a positive manner.
• Assists in maintaining productivity and quality of the laboratory operations.
• Recommends corrective action in response to errors, near misses, regulatory changes or internal/external audits.
• Writes and evaluates Variances.
• Enters Riskonnect events as needed.
• May occasionally provide assistance with bench level or supporting tasks as appropriate based on urgent needs.
• Demonstrates leadership by aligning, influencing, and inspiring the laboratory team to produce changes needed to cope with the hospital’s changing environment.
• Effectively collaborates with colleagues throughout University of Iowa Health Care.
• Evaluates and recommends new instrumentation.
• Writes and oversees instrument validation protocols.
• Provides financial background, rationale and other lab specific analytic details to support and provide justification for capital planning requests.
• Oversees laboratory automation and instrumentation.
• Works with Emery Warner Clinical Laboratories to ensure samples are sent/transferred appropriately, including evaluation of courier routes and times.
• Affirms that billing for testing, services along with blood and tissue products is accurate and complete.
• Establishes, evaluates, and maintains effective staffing and scheduling systems.
• Develops schedules for laboratory staff and enters the schedule in ELMS.
• Approves requests for time off while maintaining adequate laboratory staffing.
• Performs activities in UI Health Care timekeeping/scheduling system.
• Assists in developing short and long term strategic plans for the laboratory in consultation with medical and departmental leadership.
• Affirms that proficiency testing is completed.
• Ensures all safety requirements are met and followed by laboratory staff.
• Assists in the recruitment, orientation, training, and supervision of technical and support staff.
• Participates in interviews and recommends laboratory staff for employment.
• Evaluates staff performance; in consultation with Lab Manager and Human Resources, takes appropriate action to address performance gaps/deficiencies.
• Oversees the competency program for laboratory staff.
• Completes annual performance appraisals for laboratory staff with assistance from lead technologists.
• In conjunction with lab Manager and Director, evaluates renovation and design activities for the laboratory.
• Participates in inventory and supply management with the laboratory Clerk.
• Ensures that a system is in place for maintaining and accounting for appropriate laboratory supply and reagent inventory.
• Ensures that appropriate levels of blood components are established and maintained.
• In conjunction with the main hospital Tissue Bank, ensures that appropriate tissue inventory is established & maintained and special-order tissues are obtained.
• Works with the laboratory Clerk to ensure that annual maintenance and service contracts are renewed in a timely manner.
• Participates in the review, update, and development of written procedures.
• Provide evaluative feedback to students.
• Work with clinical instructors/educators to facilitate clinical education.
• Performs other projects and tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory sciences from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• 3-5 years experience in laboratory or health care supervision is required.
• 3-5 years experience working directly in laboratory or health care operations is required.
• Certification (eligible) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or specialist certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathology is required.
• Reasonable knowledge of quality assurance and human resources activities is required.
• Must be proficient in computer software applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills are required.

Qualifications

• A Master's degree in Business Administration or Hospital and Health Administration or an equivalent combination of education or experience is desired.
• Experience working in an academic health center is desired.
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems (LIS) is highly desired.
• Experience with automated laboratory instrumentation is highly desired.
• Experience in a laboratory overseeing or performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology and/or tissue bank is highly desired.