University of Iowa

Ensures the smooth, efficient operation of a clinical laboratory unit or shift. Performs clinical laboratory analyses on biological specimens to provide information used in the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of disease. Many of these procedures involve numerous highly complex tests and techniques that require the use of professional judgment. This position will have responsibility for leading other laboratory professionals and continuously interacting and consulting with section management and other allied health care professionals.

Position Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory processes including quantitative and qualitative analyses on clinical specimens.

o Perform clinical testing on all laboratory equipment.

o Perform cell counts on blood and body fluid specimens.

o Release bodies and limbs from the body hold when necessary.

o Assist with the issue and return of blood and tissues for daily surgical cases.

o Show attention to detail, accuracy and thoroughness.

o Prioritize and complete work assignments within allotted time.

• Serve as the technical expert for patient test result interpretation, specific tasks, work processes and procedures performed in a unit/shift.

o Understand blood bank principles to assist with ABO/Rh and antibody screen testing along with the selection and issue of compatible blood products for patient transfusions.

o Understand Tissue Bank processes to ensure appropriate tissues are inventoried and issued for patient use.

• Communicate and disseminate general information and policy or procedure changes to unit/shift personnel.

o Follow established lines of communication.

o Work in a cooperative and helpful manner.

o Adapt to the changing work environment.

• Plan, prioritize and direct work activities in the designated unit/shift to ensure smooth and efficient operation.

o Evaluate staffing levels given unexpected absences, arrange for additional coverage as needed and adjust work assignments to ensure appropriate bench coverage.

o Demonstrate attention to resource consumption.

o Participate in the development of effective staffing and scheduling systems.

• Assist with interviewing and selecting new staff. Provide leadership for North Liberty laboratory and phlebotomy staff.

o Seek and share expertise.

o Develop skills through cross training.

o Mentor and coach staff, as appropriate.

• Participate in the review, revision and implementation of standard operating procedures.

o Assist in the design and implementation of new procedures and instrumentation.

o Assist with the writing, execution and review of validation protocols.

o Utilizes Policy Tech for SOP review and updates.

o Train staff on new or revised processes.

• Investigate and resolve problems concerning patient testing and procedures. Monitor equipment performance, diagnose instrument problems/malfunctions and make repairs or initiate service requests.

o Troubleshoot laboratory instruments, performing maintenance as needed.

o Troubleshoot zebra printer issues for blood product pTags.

o Ensure appropriate quality checks are performed before instruments are placed back into service.

o Work with OR staff to investigate and resolve Tissue Bank problems in UDI Tracker.

o Ensure positive antibody screens and ABO discrepancies are sent to the main campus blood bank for additional testing.

• Provide direct supervision of assigned personnel. Participate in conducting performance appraisals and the formal progressive disciplinary process as necessary.
• Monitor quality control, quality assurance and proficiency testing; implement corrective actions for effective testing. Maintain knowledge of applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.

o Monitor employee compliance with approved regulatory and departmental guidelines.

o Ensure safety practices are followed by laboratory staff.

• Assist in developing the strategic goals and objectives for the laboratory.

o Participate in the evaluation of work processes to enhance operational efficiencies, increase productivity and decrease costs.

• Develop, implement and evaluate training and competency programs for unit/shift.

o Orient new staff to the laboratory.

o Train new staff on laboratory processes and procedures.

o Participate in writing, review and revision of laboratory procedures.

o Write training checklists, perform direct observation of procedures and ensure staff are competent to perform new tasks.

o Assist with the development of competency assessment tools. Conduct competency assessments for staff in designated unit/shift.

• Collaborate with other UI Health Care departmental committees, vendors and external health care professionals.
• Participate in inventory and supply management.

o Follow established policies for ordering supplies.

o Ensure supplies are received and QC performed according to established procedures.

o Oversee inventory counts at defined intervals.

o Ensure adequate supply of blood products in inventory.

o Ensure special blood products are available when necessary, such as antigen matched/crossmatched units and irradiated units.

o Ensure appropriate inventory of tissue is on hand in the Tissue Bank including special orders.

• Process employee time records according to university guidelines.
• Perform additional tasks as may be assigned by Manager.

Hours: Monday- Friday 1430-2330 with rotating on-call coverage of weekends and holidays

Location: North Liberty Hospital

Experience Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, biological, clinical laboratory science or medical technology program from an accredited college/university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• 1 – 3 years clinical laboratory experience within the past five (5) years is required.
• 1 – 3 years of experience with high complexity testing is required for any position that will oversee a unit which performs high complexity testing.
• **Certification as Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), or specialist certification in appropriate laboratory discipline from American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Must be proficient in computer software applications.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities and skills shown by successfully leading teams/groups in projects, work assignments, policy updates, etc. is required.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in a laboratory overseeing or performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, and microbiology is highly desired.
• Ability to interpret results of immunohematology testing and determine appropriate blood components for transfusion is highly desired.
• Experience in a Tissue Bank is desired.

Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. For questions, contact polly-terukina@uiowa.edu

• This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Clin Care/Spec Svcs Supv
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

Compensation

• Pay Level: 5A

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Polly Terukina
• Contact Email: polly-terukina@uiowa.edu

Read Full Description