Laboratory Operations Manager

At Bristol Hospital and Health Care, we begin each day caring today for your tomorrow.  We have been an integral part of our community for the past 100 years. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care and service to our patients, residents and families.  We are committed to provide compassionate, quality care at all times and to uphold our values of Communication, Accountability, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.).   We are Magnet ® and received the 2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator award for our rapid adoption and implementation of healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Use your expertise, compassion, and kindness to transform the patient experience.  Make a difference.  Make Bristol Hospital and Health Care your choice. 

Under the general supervision of Laboratory Director(s), provides supervisory and related duties to include, administrative and technical assistance as required for the efficient management of the laboratory.   The Laboratory Operations Manager will be competent in communication, relationship building, have knowledge of the healthcare environment, leadership, professionalism, and business skills.  Will utilize competencies to support the department in accomplishing evidence-based outcomes for providing Quality Laboratory Results.   Responsible for independent action in personnel matters.  Assists the Laboratory Administrative Director with systems design and implementations, budget development and control, departmental information system, and a variety of special projects.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Maintains 24-Hour accountability for Laboratory Testing

• Coordinate Laboratory Staffing on a 24-hour basis appropriate to workload volume, including oversight of Laboratory Phlebotomists.  
• Remains accessible to staff and assures appropriate dissemination of information.
• Acts as a role model for professional practice by demonstrating proper, flexible and creative problem-solving skills.
• Utilizes appropriate communication and collaboration skills and demonstrates a working knowledge of the various Departments in the Laboratory.  
• Consistently provides feedback to staff on positive and negative aspects of performance.

Establishes, monitors and maintains quality standards for Laboratory Testing

• Maintains a safe work environment in the laboratory by meeting all regulatory standards and following Universal Precautions
• Provides direction for QI projects and outcomes. 
• Reviews and monitors departmental safety standards and procedures in accordance with regulatory agency guidelines.  
• Manages change in a positive manner.

Acts as a resource for Laboratory Staff

• Applies current clinical knowledge to Laboratory operations.
• Encourages information exchange among department staff.
• Performs actions that demonstrate accountability.
• Investigates any disciplinary issues and reports issues to the Laboratory Administrative Director

Maintains effective communication and collaboration between Laboratory, physicians and other hospital personnel, as well as promoting growth and development of Laboratory Staff.  

• Represents the Laboratory on hospital-wide committees.
• Collaborates with other departments as appropriate.
• Establishes and maintains professional relationships with members of the medical staff and encourages staff to do the same.
• Establishes systems for communication within the Laboratory and to other departments.
• Provides quality Customer Service in a timely and courteous manner. 

Participates in the recruitment/orientation/development of staff 

• Screens and interviews candidates, working closely with Human Resources on recruitment efforts
• In conjunction with the Laboratory Administrative Director and Human Resources, assists in termination and other disciplinary actions.
• Oversees orientation and training of Staff
• Conducts performance appraisals with the assistance of the Laboratory Administrative Director as necessary.

Maintains responsibilities for own professional growth and development 

• Evaluates professional areas of strengths and weakness.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development.
• Shows progress toward achievement of professional goals.
• Maintains clinical and managerial competence through professional growth activities. 
• Keeps abreast of changes in the professional practice.
• Keeps current on all mandatory in-service programs.

Educational / Minimum requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory/medical technology science with at least five years of Clinical Experience.
• In addition to the education requirements above, a minimum of three years of experience as a laboratory supervisor and/or manager is required.

State/Federal Mandated Licensure or Certification Requirements:

• MT/MLS (ASCP) required.

Bristol Hospital Mandated Educational Requirements:

• General orientation at time of hire.  Fire/Safety/Infection Control annually.  Other programs as mandated by the Hospital.

Physical Requirements:

• Walking, standing, sitting, and bending are required.  Must work under the stress of time constraints and heavy workload demands requiring accuracy.  Position requires ability to constantly lift light objects less than 20 lbs., perform moderately difficult manipulative skills, arm-hand steadiness, and hand-eye coordination skills; walk, stand and sit for prolonged periods; see objects closely and hear normal sounds with some background noises.

Work Environment:

• Employees may frequently be exposed to blood, body tissues and/or fluids, chemical fumes and hazardous waste materials. Proper PPE is supplied by the employer.

Cognitive Requirements:

• Position requires the ability to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption and attend to tasks for more than 60 minutes at a time.  Individuals must be able to understand and relate to the concept behind specific ideas and remember multiple tasks given to self and others over long periods of time, able to communicate verbally, using advanced level vocabulary.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.