Director of Molecular Pathology, Genetics, and Cytogenetics Laboratories

About the role

The Head of Division of Laboratory Genetics oversees Molecular Pathology, Cytogenetics, and HLA laboratories. This position includes teaching responsibilities and participation in developing and implementing technical policies, systems, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for effective planning, organization, direction, and coordination of technical operations of the Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics Laboratories, including pre and post-analytical functions.
• Controls productivity, fiscal responsibility, and quality of results of tests performed under his/her direction.
• Works with Medical Director to develop and implement technical policies, systems, and procedures for the Medical Genetics Laboratory.
• Provides recommendations and input to policies, procedures, and systems for other laboratory functions.
• Cooperates with Site Medical and Administrative Directors by providing technical assistance for diagnostic testing performed within the Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics Diagnostic Laboratories.
• Develops and maintains contacts with educational institutions, professional organizations, government agencies, etc. to keep abreast of changes, developments, and regulations related to clinical test procedures for diagnosis of illness and disease.
• Attends and participates in meetings of board and committees related to administration of the core laboratory as appropriate and assigned.

Requirements

• PhD in Life Science relevant to genetics, molecular biology, cancer biology, etc.
• Previous experience in a clinical laboratory including administrative and managerial experience in technical activities to develop familiarity with laboratory technical activities and procedures involving Molecular Pathology or Cytogenetics is desirable.
• Board certification or Active Candidacy by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics in Laboratory Genetics and Genomics, Clinical Cytogenetics and Genomics, or Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics is required.

Skills

• Experience with a variety of molecular genetics and cytogenetic methodologies including next-generation sequencing, RT-PCR, Sanger sequencing, microarray, FISH, karyotype, etc.
• Knowledge of CLIA and CAP regulations.
• Analytical ability to serve in an advisory/consultative role in determining and/or developing strategies, policies, processes, protocols and methods, frequently in the absence of guidelines or technical assistance, and to evaluate and direct complex systems that foster innovative approaches to procedures/processes.
• Communication and interpersonal skills for frequent contact with internal customers as well as stakeholders external to the to persuade or negotiate on a wide range of subjects in situations which may be controversial, sensitive and/or lead to confrontation.
• A mastery of a variety of communication modalities is required to include leading meetings, making formal presentations, and writing complex documents and managing complex relationships over time.
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team-based environment.
• Project management skills including the ability to define program, project, or process objectives, identify stakeholders and their interests, plan steps, coordinate and allocate human, technological and fiscal resources to accomplish goals and objectives in a resourceful yet timely manner.
• Leadership skills including demonstrated willingness to pursue leadership roles with increasing levels of accountability, comfort with decision-making responsibilities, coaching, teaching and counseling skills, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others and to forge alliances and garner support.