Hospital Clinical Laboratory Director

Responsible for direction and coordination of the personnel in Clinical Laboratory services.  Activities included are performance of chemical, microscopic and bacteriologic tests performed in the laboratory to obtain data for use in diagnosis and treatment of diseases.  Ensures that services are of the best quality, are cost contained and are carried out in an expeditious manner.  Responsible for recognizing results or problems that require referral to the laboratory pathologist. Maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities.  Formulates budget.  Maintains effective physician and intradepartmental relations. 

Essential Job Duties     

• Manages and directs the department’s administrative and financial functions.

• Prepares and is accountable for departmental operating budgets and the capital budget.

• Evaluates personnel in accordance with performance standards in biochemistry, microbiology, hematology, serology, and blood bank.

• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

• Addresses complaints regarding laboratory functions and works with supervisors to resolve the complaints.

• Designs lab requisitions and coordinates improvements in laboratory reporting systems; serves as liaison with Information Management Services as it pertains to clinical laboratories.

• Attends and participates in administrative and other meetings, as appropriate.

• Maintains established hospital and departmental policies, procedures and objectives; maintains the department’s continuous quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control and compliance with requirements of accreditation and regulatory agencies. 

• Assists with care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies; develops an inventory system; oversees cost control measures in the utilization of department supplies, materials, equipment and personnel.

• Is responsible for the preparation of reports, payroll records and other statistical data as required.

• Directs the department’s continuing education programs; directs the in-house meetings on a monthly basis.

• Establishes and monitors criteria for the immediate notification of the practitioner responsible for the patient, when critical limits of specified test results are exceeded; implements corrective actions as required.

• Is accessible to the Laboratory staff for consultation as needed.

• Maintains contact with physicians to solicit appropriate input; identified problems are addressed in a timely manner.

• Maintains an approved policy and procedure manual that is available to all personnel.

• Provides effective direction and policy interpretation to personnel in managing their own work; offers advice in handling special operational matters and administrative concerns.

• Employs a general supervisor to provide on-site supervision of high complexity tests in accordance with applicable regulations.

• Responsible for the laboratory enrollment in an approved proficiency testing program for all tests performed.  This includes:

• Proficiency testing samples are tested as required.

• The test results are returned within specific time limits that the proficiency testing program dictates.

• All Laboratory staff will review the proficiency testing reports and evaluate the Laboratory’s performance. 

• Responsible for identifying any problems that require corrective action.

• Responsible for implementing an approved corrective action plan when any proficiency testing result is found to be unacceptable.

Develops and manages the annual department operating and capital budgets; directs daily operations of department; directs staff; has ability to hire, fire and discipline. Responsible for Tenet Healthcare Laboratory technical development, implementation, and integration within areas of technical expertise, to include instrument acquisition, logistic support, and laboratory information systems integration.

Education:

Required: Bachelor's degree in medical technology or related health science specialty. Meets CLIA requirements for General Supervisor
Preferred: Master’s in allied health specialty, health administration, or business

Experience:

Required: 5 years of progressive management experience in an acute care facility
Preferred: Lab Director experience

Certifications:

Required: Registered in accordance with an approved certifyin