Directs and monitors personnel in the performance of the anatomic pathology departmental duties ensuring quality work and timely completion in accordance with laboratory/hospital protocol and regulatory standards. Supervises and provides direction for staff and department regarding daily operations, human resource management, and financial stewardship.
ResponsibilitiesStaff Management* Directly supervises staff and ensures compliance with policies and procedures. Oversees daily operations including, but not limited to: histology, surgical pathology, cytopathology, pathology office support, review of daily logs, and monitoring pathology department charges.
* Assists in preparation of tissue and cytology specimens for diagnostic examination by pathologists.
* Hires new employees and performs annual reviews of all direct reports. Maintains responsibility for performance improvement of direct reports and termination when necessary. Provides in-service training and education on theory and practice.
* Ensures training and competency assessments are completed.
* Develops a rotating schedule for staff ensuring workload coverage.
* Performs annual evaluations of staff.Quality* Conducts quality improvement, assurance activities and inspection preparation to meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) guidelines. Assures the sections are in compliance with the standards and requirements of all regulatory agencies.
* Identify areas of improvements and provide written summary of audits to Quality Coordinator.
* Monitors quality assurance and resolves problems.
* Leads process improvement activities.
* Manage and maintains CAP Survey material and result documentation with proper corrective action.Financial Stewardship* Develops and manages operating and capital budgets.
* Monitors, reviews, and explains variances for monthly budget expenditures and revenue.Operations* Maintains knowledge on all standard Histology instrumentation.
* Develops technical procedures.
* Collaborates with Pathology staff and other leadership.
* Oversees all Anatomic Pathology workflow process for the laboratory system reflecting the current national benchmarks (tissue embedding, cutting, staining turnaround times, etc.)
* Produces slides daily at the designated/agreed upon time (tissue biopsies out to Pathologists by 0700 and meet national benchmarks for turnaround times for normal patient cases to meet < 24 hours and 2-3 days for abnormal patient cases).
* Performs additional testing per case (special stains must be available within 24 hours of the test request).
* Leads process improvement activities.
* Implements/monitors quality management and process improvement activities.Compliance/Safety* Responsible for reporting any safety-related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety-related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.
* Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employee's area of responsibility.
* If required for the position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.
* Completes all company mandatory modules and required job-specific training in the specified time frame.
* Perform daily lab rounding before attending daily Hospital safety check in.
* Ensures lab employees are properly trained and always complying with CAP standards and regulations.
* Monitors staff to ensure they follow safety and quality assurance procedures.
* Monitors quality assurance and resolves problems.
QualificationsEducation:
High School Diploma - Required
Bachelor's Degree or 4 Years of Equivalent Experience - Required
Master's Degree - Preferred
Certification & Licensures:
ASCP Certification as either a Histotechnologist; Histotechnician; Cytotechnologist; or Pathologists' Assistant (PA)- Required
ASCP Certification as Histotechnology Specialist - Preferred
Experience:
2 Years leadership experience - Required
Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.
Skills Required
- High school diploma
- Bachelor’s degree or four years of equivalent experience
- ASCP certification as a Histotechnologist, Histotechnician, Cytotechnologist, or Pathologists’ Assistant
- Two years of leadership experience
- Understanding of computers and competence using basic software programs
- Master’s degree
- ASCP Histotechnology Specialist certification
What We Do
Northern Arizona Healthcare is a nonprofit health care system serving communities across northern Arizona. It operates Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center, along with primary and specialty care clinics, outpatient surgery centers, cardiovascular and cancer programs, rehabilitation, children’s services, orthopedic care, and medical transport. Its multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive care to more than 700,000 people throughout the region.
