Laboratory Supervisor

Duties & Responsibilities:

Supervises the overall operation in assigned clinical department, encompassing planning, organizing, coordinating, evaluating and performing tests requiring special scientific skills. Responsible for the quality programs and the adherence to all regulatory standards. The successful incumbent demonstrates skills in the following duties and responsibilities. Examples of these include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides day-to-day supervision/oversight of the laboratory operation and personnel performing testing and reporting of test results. Provides direct supervision when high complex testing is performed by individuals qualified under S 493.1489 (b) (1)1.
• Attends laboratory management meetings and informs his/her employees of pertinent information.
• Informs the Manager, Director or Assistant Director of any problems associated with the proper performance of test procedures. Informs the Laboratory Management of all complaints concerning the validity of test results and turnaround times.
• Ensures that technical personnel are responsive to client inquiries or problems and/or that they are directed to a competent authority.
• Performs duties of technologist as necessitated by absence or peak workload.

QC/QA Responsibilities:

• Responsible for ensuring all quality control measures are met. Documents as necessary for regulatory agencies and regulatory compliance.
• Supervisor works with Laboratory Management to develop standards in response to regulatory changes.
• Supervisor monitors identified indicators to monitor quality of operations.
• Works with Quality Management staff to review monthly QC; including review of Levy Jennings graphs. Supervisor reviews data; looking for shifts or trends and documents any problems found.
• Assists Laboratory Management with collecting data for evaluating QA metrics, as requested.
• When Quality Control standards are not met, supervisor ensures that patient test results are not reported until all corrective actions have been taken and the test system is properly functioning.
• Supervisor reviews daily Quality Control results for accuracy and completion.

Proficiency Assessment Responsibilities:

• Ensures PT samples are integrated within routine laboratory workload; samples are analyzed by personnel who routinely perform testing on patient samples, using the same methods.
• Assists Laboratory Management with proper enrollment in a CMS-approved proficiency testing program and ensures all tests performed in his/her department are covered.
• Proficiency results are submitted within the time frames established by the PT program.
• Once available, supervisor assists Laboratory Management in evaluating survey results against peer group responses. Any outliers are investigated and corrective action is taken.
• For analytes where a CMS approved graded proficiency is not available, performance must be checked at least semiannually using an alternate performance assessment system.

Laboratory Equipment and Reagents:

• Establishes and evaluates the preventative maintenance program for instrumentation and equipment.
• Reviews departments' preventive maintenance logs and files documents accordingly.
• Reviews any necessary calibration procedures performed in department.

• Monitors use of equipment, reagents/supplies, and orders/stocks inventory to maintain adequate levels, ensuring uninterrupted service. Supervises staff in inventory maintenance procedures.

Personnel:

• Prepares work schedule, assigns and prioritizes work to staff, ensuring adequate coverage at all times; prioritizes work when equipment fails and short staffing occurs; may perform duties of subordinate employees during equipment failure and/or shortage of staffing and/or on an as needed basis.
• Assists Laboratory Management in determining appropriate staffing levels, which meet department budgets.
• Prepares employee performance review, approves time and attendance records, maintain training files and performs other administrative duties as required.

New Employee Training and Tech Trainee Documentation:

• Section supervisor generates a training checklist for each job task the employee is trained to perform, ensuring proper signatures are obtained and checklist becomes part of the employee's department training record on file.

• Provides a positive training experience for staff/trainee as assigned.

• Responsible for employee performance evaluations post hire. Document is signed and filed accordingly.
• Ensures annual competency assessments are performed for each employee annually; documents are signed and filed accordingly. New employees are required to perform assessments at 6 months and annually thereafter.

• Coordinates orientation and continuing education programs for all testing personnel, under his/her supervision.

Procedure Development and Implementation:

• Assists with the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Contributes to writing laboratory test procedures following established format.
• Develops new procedures as directed and approved by manager. Reviews and/or performs the appropriate validation studies to verify the new procedure according to federal regulations.
• Reviews existing procedures for validity and appropriate methodology, accuracy, completeness, and quality measures.
• Performs audits as directed by Laboratory Management staff.
• Coordinates with members of Laboratory Management to prepare for regulatory inspections
• Supervisor must have updated documentation for initial instrument training and complete annual competency assessments in order to perform patient testing.

Requirements:

Education: One of the following requirements for academic/experience criteria must be fulfilled.

• Master of Science Degree Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry, or related field required with at least four (4) years of work experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry, or related field required with at least six (6) years of work experience. Although required, a bachelor's degree may not be required if permitted as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist under their grandfathering rules.

Experience:

• Two to three years' successful experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity preferred.
• Previous experience with a Laboratory Information System (LIS), preferred.

Skills:

• Strong attention to detail, precision, and commitment to accuracy are essential.
• Ability to make sound decision under stressful situations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Proven leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Thorough knowledge of technical aspects of all tests performed and equipment utilized in the discipline for which he/she is responsible.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills are required.
• Thorough knowledge and demonstrated support of the company's policies, procedures, and goals.
• Knowledge of accrediting and regulatory agencies
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including but not limited to, Excel, Word, and Power Point.

Physical Requirements:

• Position requires extensive standing, occasional sitting and routine walking.
• Position requires stationary standing for extended periods, extended arm movement, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 25 lbs. on a routine basis.
• Position requires extensive close visual work, requiring visual acuity.
• Some laboratory tests performed are dependent on color determination. Ability to differentiate colors is required to perform these tests.
• Category I risk exposure as defined by OSHA.