Occupational Summary

Be accountable for the day to day operational activities associated with patient care and testing in the Transfusion Services Laboratory of Duke Regional Hospital.  Duties and responsibilities for this position classification are specified by the medical director are as follows:

• Model positive behavior that encourages a work culture supportive of the DUHS Behavioral Values.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communications skills necessary to facilitate positive interactions with employees, patients (and patient families), lab leadership, administration and all laboratory customers.
• Act as a mentor, coach and role model for subordinate staff within the DRH Laboratory.
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude during stressful situations and periods of issues resolution.
• Maintain the technical expertise to provide guidance and troubleshooting skills in the DRH Transfusion Services Laboratory.  This will include carrying the department on-call pager.
• Demonstrate leadership and mentorship skills that can champion departmental changes, necessary to improve workflow, quality and patient care in support of our customers.
• Provide proactive leadership skills that are conducive to creative problem solving.  Support "out of the box" thinking that works with the laboratory team to encourage the development and implementation of the best possible solution in support of quality patient care within established guidelines.
• Support and participate in DRH laboratory work culture initiatives.  Work with staff and other lab leadership to develop a department specific work culture plan that is reviewed and revised on an annual basis. 
• Adhere to all DUHS and departmental policies and procedures.

Work Performed

• Maintain sufficient inventory of material supplies and reagents and communicate when supplies require ordering.  Assist with putting inventory away in a timely fashion to ensure product integrity.  Ensure that reagents and supplies are rotated verifying expiration dates.  Discard expired materials and notify the supervisor so that replacement can be made in a timely manner.
• Supervise the work of laboratory personnel engaged in performing routine and specialized technical procedures, including planning laboratory work, evaluating work performed and handling procedural and technical laboratory problems.  
• Ensure that new employee orientation lists are successfully completed for new hires during the probationary period. 
• Ability to train, orient and evaluate the job performance of various laboratory personnel.
• Ensure competency assessments are competed as per CAP / AABB requirements annually for existing employees.  Coordinate continuing education opportunities for staff on an ongoing basis to support employee development.
• Work in a positive manner with laboratory customers to ensure that customer needs are met and that issue resolution takes place in a timely manner.  Represent the DRH laboratory in a professional and positive manner at department, hospital and DUHS Clinical Laboratory committee meetings and work groups.
• Work with the MLS Advanced and MLS Senior to develop and implement quality assurance programs to ensure reliability of testing procedures, proper function of laboratory equipment and compliance with federal regulations (ie. CAP/AABB).  Prepare and maintain applicable records.
• Ensure CAP and API proficiency testing materials are distributed, completed and submitted before the due date.  Follow up on outliers as required
• Interpret accrediting agency standards or guidelines for department testing program and translate the requirements into policies and procedures.  Initiate corrective action as soon as a deficiency is identified.  Complete checklist and other information sheets required.  Coordinate and ensure lab preparedness for on-site inspection of accreditation bodies.
• Prepare technical reports reflecting volume of work, procedures utilized and test results (ie. customized lab specific reports).   Coordinate the preparation of reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions (ie. balanced score card).
• Work with the MLS Advanced / MLS Senior to coordinate and participate in the development of new laboratory procedures and techniques.  Plan, develop and present training sessions and/or teaching aids as needed to facilitate training of employees for new equipment / procedures / protocols. 
• Participate in various personnel functions including but not limited to:  performance management, interviewing, hiring, performance appraisals, promotions, transfers etc.
• Monitor quality control, quality assurance, safety and infection control practices to assure compliance with internal and external regulations.  This will include the follow-up of SRS reports (DUHS Safety Reporting System) for the designated area of responsibility in a timely manner.
• Ensure working knowledge of various laboratory and hospital information systems and software programs.  Assist in the annual validation of the Electronic Laboratory Manual.   Assist in the annual LIS (Safe Trace) system validation.
• Delegate assignments as appropriate to laboratory staff.
• Support, coach and mentor the MLS Advanced and MLS Senior in their daily functions as needed and to ensure employee development.
• Works with the MLS Advanced and MLS Senior to design appropriate work schedules for subordinate employees.  Plan daily work assignments in order to maintain adequate personnel complement to ensure laboratory efficiency.
• Work with the MLS Advanced, MLS Senior and staff to maintain sufficient inventory of blood products, material supplies and equipment for performance of duties.  
• Have a signed competency and assist with covering in the transfusion lab if required.
• Ensure the laboratory has sufficient supplies, reagents and blood products to ensure quality care.
• Carry department pager to enable off shift consult as needed.
• Coordinate clinical student rotations to include instruction in laboratory methods, procedures and protocols.
• Provide advanced problem solving, troubleshooting, interpretation/consultation, verification of specimen quality and test results.
• Stay abreast of and execute latest technical and management developments including new lab procedures.
• Demonstrate decision-making abilities in all aspects of performance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of laboratory safety and infection control procedures and practices including standard precautions and hazardous chemical handling.
• Considerable knowledge of laboratory equipment, instrumentation and terminology.
• Considerable knowledge of the clinical laboratory procedures and  regulatory agencies standards.
• Ability to develop, revise and maintain procedures as well as controlling workflow.   
• Ability to make accurate observations and written reports of test results.
• Ability to train, orient and evaluate the job performance of various laboratory personnel.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, colleagues, management and administration.  
• Ability to maintain inventory control systems and make budgetary projections.
• Ability to schedule adequate numbers of competent staff on a day to day basis.
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Level Characteristics

• Responsibility for day-to-day supervision and/or oversight of the laboratory operation and personnel performing testing and reporting test results.
• Formulate goals and/or recommend policy, assign objectives, and establish standards of practice.
• Provide direct supervision of all high complexity testing and maintain contact with laboratory at all times either with onsite presence or via pager.
• Monitor testing to ensure that acceptable levels of analytic performance are maintained.
• Evaluate personnel to assure competence prior to test reporting.
• Provide oversight for departmental proficiency testing to ensure:  all aspects of proficiency testing are properly followed; reviewed and remedial action is taken and documented following failures.  Ensure proficiency surveys are submitted and received at CAP by the required due date.
• Quality assurance and Quality Control programs are established, maintained and are effective in identifying problems.
• Procedure manuals are available and have been reviewed annually by director, manager, supervisor, MLS Senior (as appropriate).   

Responsibilities delegated from the director or technical supervisor include:

• Ensure remedial action is taken and documented whenever tests systems deviate from established performance specifications.
• Review and document proficiency testing and follow up on outliers.
• Ensure that patient testing results are not reported until corrective action has been taken and the test system is functioning properly.
• Participate in the annual evaluation, competency testing and documentation for all testing personnel.
• Receive, review and prepare technical reports reflecting volume of work, procedures utilized and test results; coordinate the preparation of reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate corrective action.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related field OR has met the minimal education and experience requirements as outlined by a nationally recognized Med Tech certifying body. 

Experience

5 years full time experience as a medical technologist in a clinical laboratory setting.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology), NCA or equivalent.

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