Clinical Mass Spectrometry Team Lead

Job Description:
Chemist IV
Under minimal supervision of the LC Mass Spectrometry Screening Group Manager, serves as the Team Lead of the Lysosomal Storage Disorders Screening Team and uses expert knowledge to oversee the daily activities, resources, quality assurance, and operations of high complexity critical testing services performed in the team. Ensures standard operating procedures and proper quality controls are in place and followed for all tests performed by the team. Monitors and documents quality assurance issues. Serves as an authority, technical resource, and role model. Responsible for making significant decisions on the accuracy of laboratory tests on human specimens and ensuring adequate material resources. Responsible for independently performing specimen preparation, quality control, and assay acceptability, data and work list evaluation, result entry, determination, troubleshoot, and release of final test results, and maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment. Actively participate in instrument and method evaluation, validation, and optimization. Evaluates and determines the appropriate specifications for new and existing tests, techniques, reagents, and equipment. Plans the daily functions, activities, and leave schedules of team members and provides input for other personnel management activities. Responsible for monitoring staff, training personnel, and providing customer service. Actively participates in the safety program. Duties are performed with significant latitude and with extensive use of scientific knowledge and independent judgment. Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

EJF 1. Oversees the daily testing activities of the Lysosomal Storage Disorders Screening Team. Prioritizes work, schedules and plans workflow, makes assignments among team members, and oversees progress of assigned tasks so that quality results from chemical data are reported without interruption within established turnaround times and that reports are accurate. Responsible for making significant decisions on the accuracy of laboratory tests on human specimens. Identifies and documents instrument and equipment problems, performs troubleshooting, makes adjustments as indicated. Notifies the Group Manager immediately of any significant issues or delays. Consults with and keeps Group Manager up to date on method performance and technical issues. Reviews and submits purchasing requests to ensure an inventory of testing supplies and reagents are available as needed. (35%)

EJF 2. Oversees the quality assurance activities of the Lysosomal Storage Disorders Screening Team. Ensures high quality of analytical reporting is maintained. Performs and documents periodic quality control review, including equipment maintenance and performance, proficiency testing records, temperature and humidity monitoring, specimen workload tallies, training and competency records, and supply inventory to ensure consistently acceptable quality assurance and test performance. Maintains, updates, and develops Standard Operating Protocols (SOP) and training materials. Identifies discrepancies and recommends, implements, and documents corrective actions and outcomes. Oversees, coordinates, and conducts the evaluation, optimization, validation and implementation of new methods to screen neonatal screening specimens as required by CAP/CLIA. Ensures instruments and equipment, including laboratory information system equipment, are maintained for optimum performance and minimum downtime. Schedules equipment preventive maintenance according to standard operating procedures to ensure equipment preventive maintenance is completed per schedule. Perform complex data analysis to determine acceptable instrument and method performance, consulting with staff and technical supervisors on appropriate analytical methods used. (25%)

EJF 3. Performs highly complex liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of high volume neonatal screening specimens. Evaluates and interprets complex data assigning final results. Performs scheduled preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, tuning and optimization of highly complex analytical equipment. Prepares mobile phases, internal standard stock and working solutions. Performs, as needed, high volume sampling of filter paper specimens, standards, and controls for all newborn screening tests. Uses technical knowledge to determine specimen acceptability. Completes all documentation with required information. Uses expert knowledge to investigate, interpret, assess, review, and resolve problems with atypical results, consulting with the Branch Manager as necessary. Reviews and releases final results using the laboratory information management system. Identifies, documents, and resolves quality issues with laboratory data. Cross-checks positive mailed report verifying abnormal reports are correct. Monitors that preparation of final report timelines are met including fax reports to the Clinical Care Coordination staff. (10%)

EJF 4. Provides excellence in customer service to internal and external customers. Serves as a knowledgeable resource to laboratory personnel on difficult instrumentation and analytical issues. Consults with physicians and public health staff regarding specimen collection and submission requirements, test results and interpretation, and is the point of contact within for technical matters related to the work of the team as needed. Performs administrative functions including completing regular reports and ad hoc reports, attending meetings and storing records. Notifies supervisor of technical or personnel problems that impact the functioning of the laboratory. Participates in preparing team budgets, assessing equipment and staffing requirements to continue appropriate lab operations. Conducts technical presentations, training, and tours for external customers and students. Conducts and coordinates special research, evaluation and development projects to assure use of state of the art testing. Researches new procedures independently and reports on their usefulness, and determines the appropriate specifications for reagents and equipment and presents to the Branch Manager. Coordinates research projects and implements new procedures as appropriate. Assists in grant writing and submission. Promotes teamwork and excellent customer service with supervisors, co-workers, and internal and external customers. (15%)

EJF 5. Assist in staffing management. Monitors and provides feedback to supervisor on team members’ technical performance as well as staffing requirements. Trains employees on instrument maintenance, preparation of internal standard solutions, mobile phases and on performing analytic assays adhering to standard operating protocols. Completes and maintains training records. Recommends appropriate training and education for staff and job description updates for area positions. Coordinates and participates in interview and selection process, recommending best applicant for positions. Communicates information to staff as necessary. Encourages communication throughout the area. (10%).

EJF 6. Performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. (5%)
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory, clinical chemistry, quality control, quality assurance, and MS/MS and LC-MS/MS principles, techniques, and terminology.
Comprehensive knowledge of assay method development, optimization and validation procedures
Knowledge of laboratory safety including sample-handling techniques.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to interact effectively with staff.
Ability to work in harmony with other team members.
Ability to work as part of a team adhering to structured deadlines for completion of critical laboratory procedures that are performed in high volume.
Ability to lead co-workers by setting a positive work-ethic example.
Ability to follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately.
Ability to keep accurate, detailed records.
Ability to use aseptic techniques when working with infectious material.
Ability to complete tasks without close supervision and use mature judgment in test interpretation.
Ability to prioritize and organize detailed tasks to maintain required section timeframes.
Ability to recognize and solve work area problems.
Ability to use, maintain, and troubleshoot work area instruments and automated testing equipment.
Ability to teach work area procedures to co-workers and guests.
Ability to prepare diagnostic (analytical) reagents and/or controls accurately.
Ability to plan, assign, direct, and monitor the work of others.
Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience.
Ability to use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting.
Ability to complete complex sample data analysis using Microsoft excel.
Skill to manipulate standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.

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