Clinical Lab Scientist Supervisor 2

Job description

Job Function Summary:
Involves testing on clinical specimens for information about the health of a patient, for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Disciplines include chemistry, blood banking, hematology, microbiology, immunology, cytology, histology, pathology and cytogenetics. May include highly technical sub- specialty areas such as enzyme assay, steroid assay, radioimmunoassay, toxicology, electrophoresis, rheumatology, tissue typing, and virology.
This position supervises employees in a high volume, highly technical subspeciality laboratory – the mohs lab. The scope of responsibilities for this individual includes both administrative and technical duties. The individual oversees the daily operations of the laboratory including: processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and preparation of tissue specimen into slides. Exemplary attention to detail and the ability to multi-task is a must. Success in this position requires a firm understanding of workflow management to maximize the efficiency of the staff and laboratory processes. The individual acts as a technical resource for all staff personnel and must have a breadth of knowledge regarding the processes involved in receiving and handling of tissue specimens for histological examination. Furthermore, the incumbent must possess the technical skill to perform, demonstrate to and train laboratory staff in the histological preparation of tissue specimens according to all standard operating procedures established by the department and accrediting organizations. The individual will supervise staff at 3 main locations: Mt. Zion Derm, BOPC, and Bayfront. The individual in this role will also collaborate with other department nurse managers to oversee lab licensure and compliance for other dermatology clinic sites that roll up through the department’s leadership. Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Health ambulatory locations is a requirement for this role.
of time
Essential Function (Yes/No)
Key Responsibilities
55% Yes
• Directly supervises assigned technical staff performing highly technical sub-specialty operations including: processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and preparation of tissue specimens into slides.
• Monitors laboratory staff to ensure they follow standard operating procedures.
• Oversees laboratory tests to ensure the laboratory achieves quality results. This includes daily, weekly, monthly, and or quarterly quality control (QC) checks.
• Organizes clinical records and documents generated by laboratory operations, maintaining all necessary testing records.
• Oversees and collaborates with other department nurse managers to oversee lab licensure and compliance for other dermatology clinic lab sites (Mt. Zion and Spruce).
• Uses independent judgment, relies on experience, and provides direction when troubleshooting emergent issues relating to specimen handling or processing.
• Performs any and all supervised functions to ensure that operational needs are met.

10% Yes
• Maintains updated highly technical sub-specialty clinical policies and procedures manual.
• Monitors compliance with sub-specialty processes so the laboratory meets all clinical requirements and health, environmental, and safety regulations.
• Assesses and updates existing standard operating procedures and policies to meet the needs of the unit.
• Develops and implements new procedures and policies to address deficiencies.

10% Yes
• Under the direction of the Department Leadership team, implements innovations in research methods and processes and new state of the art technologies. Implements quality assurance systems and responsible for the lab's performance improvement.
• Independently assesses the needs and processes of the laboratory.
• Gathers quantitative and qualitative data to assess the efficiency of laboratory performance. Verifies data / information is accurate by performing routine checks using queries, visual review, and other appropriate means. Stores and disseminates technical data.
• Reports information at leader rounds or other planned team meetings. Assesses gathered data and develops plan or new policies to address areas flagged for improvement.
• Reports self-identitifed or regulatory survey improvement opportunities to the administrative director along with recommended improvements for implementation.
• Areas monitored include but are not limited to: staff productivity and error rates.

5% Yes
• Assists and provides input to the laboratory budget and pricing of services. Conducts short and long range budget planning.
• Ensures proper care and maintenance of equipment is conducted and documented.
• Ensures the laboratory has appropriate resources, supplies, equipment, specimens, and staff to meet coverage needs.
• Manages and maintains supply inventory to ensure necessary lab materials are available for usage.
• Monitors that cryostats, tissue processors/stainers, slide label printers, fume hoods, and other laboratory equipment are properly maintained and in working order.

5% Yes
• Serves as the laboratory primary point of contact for clinics, physicians, health care providers, and other staff with questions or concerns regarding the lab. Represents the laboratory in its clinical interactions with other departments at the Medical Center and University. Seen as a reliable resource for any clinical laboratory related questions or concerns.
• Interfaces directly with clinic staff and physicians to address issues in relation to any laboratory operations including: tissue processing.
• Collaborates with dermatology surgeons when dealing with unusual or difficult specimens to develop an ideal solution.
• Coordinates with other UCSF sites to ensure proper processing of specimens.

5% Yes
• Participates in recruiting and conducts new employee orientation.
• Evaluates performance and competency and defines development goals.
• Recommends changes in staffing and budget to ensure the efficient operation of the laboratory.
• Serves as a technical resource and role model for assigned staff.
• Independently evaluates the state of staffing within the laboratory. This includes assessing for adequate levels of coverage and recruitment / onboarding of new employees.
• Develops staff schedules based on the operational needs of the unit.

5% Yes
• Assists in teaching clinical theory and skills to staff to ensure continued competency for staff. Mentors professionals learning new clinical laboratory techniques in a highly technical sub-specialty area.
• Serves as the technical reference point for all histotechnicians performing slide preparation in the laboratory. Required to monitor, assess, and train staff in the execution of all standard operating procedures set forth by the department.
• Provides guidance and instruction to trainees rotating through the Department of Dermatology.

5% Yes Other duties as assigned.
100%
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in a natural science and/or equivalent experience/training
• At least 5 years of work experience in a mohs lab or a related field (pathology lab) with at least 3 years as a mohs technician, processing tissue specimens in a high-volume laboratory or academic medical center environment or combination thereof
• At least two years of experience as a mohs lab supervisor
• Experience with successfully completing lab licensure and accreditation surveys
• Experience performing complex laboratory procedures following established protocols
• Strong interpersonal skills to create and maintain a climate for effective communication and collaboartive decision making. Able to convey information with authority, handle highly sensitive matters, and interact with high level contacts from other departments/organizations
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to explain technical specialty concepts thoroughly
• Strong leadership, fiscal, and operations management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, management, and staff from all disciplines
• Ability to create and maintain a goal-oriented climate of teamwork, collaboration, and consistent achievement of objectives
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine the appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions
• Highly devleoped personal organizational skills
• Proven ability to organize staff and tasks, manage mulitple priorities/projects through completion and on schedule, oversee multiple locations, and delegate work functions in an efficient and effective manner in a complex and challenging environment
• Flexibility to adjust to constantly changing priorities
• Strong knowledge of human resources management policies, with the ability to train, monitor, evaluate, and document human resources issues and performance
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements as it pertains to labs and processing tissue specimens, as well as related legislative, accreditation, licensing, and compliance environments
• Maintains current knowledge of laboratory concepts, new methodologies, relevant industry/regulatory compliance, accreditation requirements, medical center health and safety guidelines, and advances in the field of specimen processing, automation, and procedures
• Strong knowledge of quality assurance methods and ability to apply principles to design quality systems
• Ability to use laboratory applications/clinical softwares/databases/dashboards. Skills to perform data checks using queries, visual review, and other appropriate means to verify data accuracy

PREFERRED QUALIFOIICATIONS
• Experience in large academic medical setting and ambulatory care
• Experience using EMR-EPIC/APeX

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
• ASCP Histotechnologist