Laboratory Director na The Spine Hospital of Louisiana

Description

The director assists in developing continuous quality improvement programs, advocates continuing education, and aids in planning new projects to promote high-quality healthcare services. The director also promotes effective relationships within the hospital, monitors work quality and quantity, and assists in preparing performance appraisals. Other responsibilities include assisting in the development of operating budgets, investigating new clinical techniques, adhering to policies and legal guidelines, remaining flexible to meet customer needs, demonstrating initiative in adapting to change, and maintaining a professional manner in the approach to job-related duties to improve the quality and efficiency of services provided by the laboratory.

• Knowledge of compliance with applicable federal and state laws. Responsible for monitoring compliance with such applicable laws by employees for whom there is administrative responsibility.
• Complies with mandatory regulatory and credentialing requirements and participates in continuous improvement activities as assigned to ensure health care service quality. Monitors and evaluates staff members' adherence to these requirements.
• Quality is paramount in all aspects of daily functions and work processes, including assisting in developing and implementing continuous quality improvement programs and participating in multi-disciplinary CQI efforts.  
• Promotes and encourages the growth and development of all personnel by encouraging their participation in approved continuing education activities and advocates continuing education to promote the high-quality services provided by all departmental personnel.  
• Stays abreast of the latest trends in the field of expertise through participation in job-relevant seminars and workshops, attendance at professional conferences, and affiliations with national and state professional organizations.    
• Performs an acceptable productivity level when assisting in developing, preparing, and recommending annual departmental operation and capital budgets.
• Monitors the economical use and procurement of equipment, supplies, and personnel. 
• Ensures that periodic equipment maintenance is carried out to control hospital and departmental costs and conserve all hospital resources.  
• Investigate new techniques, practices, and equipment to identify ways of maximizing the quality and efficiency of healthcare services provided to patients. 
• Schedules and assigns work to staff members, monitors work quality and quantity, and ensures efficient departmental operations by providing back-up supervisory support when needed.  
• Assists in planning short—and long-term projects and provides feedback to employees, thus ensuring adequate communication and understanding.
• Possess a keen knowledge of job responsibilities and an ongoing effort to continue education to ensure high-quality health care utilizing understanding and respect. That knowledge is also structured to avoid waste by conserving all valuable hospital materials prudently and efficiently.
• Combines ethical judgment with technical skill within the policy and legal guidelines of the hospital and laboratory in decision-making processes and procedure performance.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with patients, physicians, pathologists, staff, and others.
• Coordinates, plans, and utilizes time efficiently to prioritize and organize duties while remaining flexible to meet the needs of the laboratory service to customers.
• Maintains inventory of supplies in work areas and requests and orders supplies as necessary to ensure efficient departmental operations and avoid duplication of energy and services whenever possible.
• Demonstrates initiative in adapting to changes or unusual circumstances, especially those not covered by written or verbal instructions, in a way that promotes cooperation and minimizes disruption to the working environment.
• Observe and adhere to all departmental and hospital policies and procedures and follow all safety, quality assurance, and infection control standards.
• Consistently exhibits a professional manner, appearance, and performance in job-related duties to maintain high standards in delivering quality healthcare services. 
• Conducts regularly scheduled staff meetings to facilitate good communication flow and problem identification.
• Serves as a Performance Improvement/Pharmacy & Therapeutics committee member.
• Participates in hospital/medical staff committees as deemed necessary. 
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

The statements mentioned above outline the general duties necessary to describe the essential functions of this position. However, they are not meant to be considered a comprehensive description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent management experience.

Field of Expertise: Medical Technology.

Minimum Experience: 5 years as a Medical Technologist and three years of supervisory experience.

Licenses/Certificates: Licensed in Louisiana as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist-Generalist.  

Working Conditions:

• Exposed to infection from disease-bearing specimens
• Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens

Physical Requirements:

• Color Vision—the ability to distinguish and identify different colors.
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 lbs.)
• Near Acuity—the ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less
• Occasional prolonged standing/walking

Interpersonal Skills

• Good interpersonal/human relations skills
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good problem-solving and critical-thinking skills

Supervisor: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Positions reporting directly to this position: Medical Technologists, Medical Lab Technicians, Medical Lab Assistants, Phlebotomists.