Responsible for organizing, planning, directing, evaluating, and providing general oversight for all laboratory operations that include but are not limited to outreach services, computer operations, pre and post-analytic testing, associate safety, and equipment/supply inventory expense control. Provides essential leadership and administrative support to laboratory associates. Ensures standards of care are consistent with the System?s Mission and all regulatory requirements. Works closely with hospital administration and System Executives to facilitate the achievement of the department?s goals. Promotes the development of associates and process improvement initiatives to maintain quality, cost-effective services, and patient, physician, and associate satisfaction.
Responsibilities:
Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
Regional leaders are responsible for effectively collaborating with local leadership teams to meet accountability measures including, but not limited to, labor productivity standards, quality metrics, associate engagement, and retention efforts, as well as service level agreements to the consumer.
Maintains consistency with Administrative and Departmental policies with appropriate behavior, dress, attitude, attendance, confidentiality, professionalism, and reliability.
Represents the facility in community activities as means of promoting the organization and its mission as evidenced by:
Membership in civic organizations such as Lions Club, Heart Association, Rotary, etc.
Active participation in local professional chapters
Assures areas of responsibility are in compliance with regulatory agencies including educating all appropriate parties and seeking Process Improvement as evidenced by:
CLIA, TJC, CAP, and OSHA standards
State and Federal regulations
Patient, Physician, and Associate Satisfaction Surveys
Internal and external audits
Improved policies, procedures, and practices
Comparison of department or area outcomes to other CHRISTUS facilities
Maintains focus on providing a safe work environment. Pro-actively designs & implements an organized process to address Safety/Risk Management issues as evidenced by:
Attendance at Department Safety/Risk Management education programs
Implements annual Department Safety/Risk Management Plan
Safety variance trends
Has expected rates of injuries, lost days, etc. for similar types of departments or areas.
Takes initiative and identifies opportunities to deal with issues including customer complaints and associate-related issues including staffing, retention, recruitment, turnover, communication, performance management, etc. as evidenced by:
Associate, Patient, and Physician Satisfaction Surveys
Regulatory Compliance
Process Improvement activities
Turnover Rates
Department Meeting minutes
Provide examples of initiatives taken to better meet customer needs and/or organizational goals.
Ensures the competence of all staff members is assessed, evaluated, demonstrated, maintained, and improved continually. Ensures staff compliance with education requirements and encourages staff involvement in activities that support the organization as evidenced by:
TJC Standards
Department Education records
Healthstream (HLC) records
Department Meeting minutes including Compliance topics as appropriate.
Regulatory compliance
Department Orientation for new staff
Associate Evaluations and, if necessary, Performance Improvement Plans
Needs Assessment
Meets Management Behavioral Expectations as evidenced by:
Timely completion of 100% of annual and introductory period evaluations.
Meets agreed-upon due dates such as complete and meaningful Service Line Reports, Department Payroll approvals, Budgets, Special Projects, Potential Compensatory Events, Quality Reporting, and Fire Drill documentation.
Supports Communication Plan by holding regular monthly department meetings, attending regularly scheduled Management Meetings, attending the majority of Associate Town Meetings, and attending Cultural Diversity, Integrity training, or other mandatory meetings.
Share patient and Associate Satisfaction survey results in department meetings as recorded in department meeting minutes.
Operating and capital budgets are effectively developed, monitored, and managed. Efforts are undertaken to control or reduce cost and/or reduce inventory levels while improving outcomes as evidenced by:
Budgeted Units of Service and controlling costs by Units of Service
Process Improvement opportunities identified and/or implemented.
Needs Assessments
Feasibility studies and analyses
Comparative benchmarking database
Internal Standards
Actively identifies new customers. Promotes new or expanded services as a means to increase revenue or enhance/compliment current services as evidenced by:
Customer, Patient, and Physician Satisfaction Surveys
Feasibility Studies and Analysis
Business Progress Reviews and Follow-up
Community Needs Assessment
Facilitates innovation and standardization in laboratory instrumentation and equipment so that policies and practices improve safety, efficiency, and outcomes resulting in high reliability and high quality along with a lower cost structure.
Collaborates with physicians and hospital executives to drive appropriate utilization of laboratory testing and/or services.
Continually evaluate opportunities to eliminate, in-source/out-source laboratory testing using data-driven processes to promote clinical and financial improvement.
Lead and/or participate in total quality management efforts including but not limited to blood and lab ordering utilization management and designing programs to reduce laboratory errors.
Assist in enhancing profitability, productivity, and operational efficiency.
Assist in coordinating projects and continuous improvement efforts.
Works in direct partnership with laboratory business leaders, supply chain personnel, and corporate and hospital financial officers toward implementing methods that improve laboratory operations while driving greater financial efficiency of clinical laboratory operations including hospital-based labs, outpatient labs, central labs, and outreach business.
Travel to all facility locations as required.
Must demonstrate ability to problem solve and be supportive/innovative of new processes.
Must have strong critical thinking skills.
Must be Knowledgeable of change management and team dynamics.
Must have the ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with customers.
Having strong financial, regulatory, and reimbursement knowledge is a plus.
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
Must be Knowledgeable of common software programs (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.) and LIS/HIS.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as deemed necessary.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Laboratory or natural sciences required.
Master?s Degree preferred.
Experience
Ten years of experience is CLIA defined, Moderate and high-complexity laboratory required. Minimum five years of management experience required.
Multi-hospital system experience preferred.
Knowledge of accreditation requirements: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), and The Joint Commission (TJC), as applicable.
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
MLS (ASCP), M.T. (ASCP), or CLS (NCA) required.
Membership in professional organization(s) preferred.
CHRISTUS HEALTH is an international Catholic, faith-based, not-for-profit health system comprised of almost more than 600 services and facilities, including more than 60 hospitals and long-term care facilities, 350 clinics and outpatient centers, and dozens of other health ministries and ventures. CHRISTUS operates in 6 U.S. states, Colombia, Chile and 6 states in Mexico. To support our health care ministry, CHRISTUS Health employs approximately 45,000 Associates and has more than 15,000 physicians on medical staffs who provide care and support for patients. CHRISTUS Health is listed among the top ten largest Catholic health systems in the United States.