Point of Care Coordinator

Navajo Preference Employment Act :
In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affirmative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this Plan and corresponding TCRHCC Policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference.

Overview:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Laboratory Point of Care Coordinator is responsible for the oversight of the laboratory Point of Care program in compliance with regulatory requirements, policy and procedures and the TCRHCC goal of quality patient care. The Point of Care program includes laboratory tests that fall under the Waived and Provider Performed Microscopy (PPMP) categories of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards. The position is located in a laboratory that provides 24- hour coverage with periodic visits to ancillary testing sites (i.e. the Sacred Peaks Health Center, Cameron Health Center, and LeChee Health Center). Incumbent works day shift and occasional weekends, on-call or overtime.

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Associate degree in laboratory science, chemical, physical, biological science, or health professionals

License/Certification:

A current unexpired Medical Laboratory Technician certification from a nationally recognized certification agency. Certification must remain unexpired, in good standing, for the duration of employment.

Experience:

Three (3) years documented work experience in clinical laboratory performing at minimum moderate complexity testing.

Other Skills and Abilities:

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:

• Positive working relationships with others
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Must be able to organize and coordinate workflow for trends in laboratory point-of-care testing
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; capable of maintaining multiple communication channels
• Moderate computer skills and literacy for communication, records, forms, and ordering
• Able to respond appropriately in stressful situations
• Possess technical skills and understand how to operate complex machinery
• Effective communication skills to deal effectively with all levels of co-workers
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Completion of an above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job. Interview must reflect moderate complexity experience.
• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical:

Requires dexterous skill; must be able to handle tools effectively such as needles and precise laboratory instruments.

Possess stamina to handle work on feet for long periods. Occasionally must be able to lift at least 30 pounds. Involves exposure to physical risks, such as working with chemicals, blood borne pathogens, pathogenic organisms, and operating laboratory equipment. Position requires prolonged sitting, standing and walking and frequent needs the ability maintain balance and reach for items. Position will occasionally require bending, driving, climbing, kneeling, crouching, and twisting. Lifting, pushing, and pulling of over 100 lbs. may occasionally be required.

Mental:

Mental attention and assertiveness are required at all times. Must be able to prioritize, use good analytical judgment. Possess technical skills and understand how to operate complex machinery. Ability coordinate a variety of tasks. Must communicate effectively and with tact in stressful situations. Position requires the ability to cope with high level of stress and maintain the ability make decisions, cope with anger/ fear/ hostility of others calmly, manage altercations, handle multiple priorities, demonstrate high degree of patience, flexibility and concentration. May be required to work alone or in an area that is close and crowded. Must be able to adapt to shift work.

Environmental:

Employee may have prolonged exposure to infectious diseases, chemical agents, and hazardous and/or moving equipment. Employee may have frequent exposure to loud noises and occasional exposure to dust, fumes, gases, extremes in temperature or humidity, and unprotected heights.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Follow the laboratorys established policies, processes and procedures for specimen collection, handling and processing, test analysis, reporting, and maintaining records of patient results in all specialties of service.
2. Perform and document Corrective Actions when test systems are not within the laboratorys established acceptable levels of performance.
3. Adhere to the laboratorys Quality Assurance policies by performing and documenting all Quality Control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and instrument preventative maintenance.
4. Perform proficiency testing and document attestation that proficiency testing samples are tested according to protocol.
5. Maintain inventory control to assure adequate supplies and reagents needed for continuous laboratory operation(s).
6. Actively participates in the maintenance of Laboratory Accreditation by adhering to standards in safety, performance improvement, document control, quality assurance, proficiency and competency.
7. Participate in Continuing Education by attending laboratory department meetings and in-services.
8. Develop and maintain working relationship with the Medical and Nursing staff regarding the processing of specimens and evaluation and interpretations of results. Provide verbal consults in various aspects of the clinical laboratory.
9. Provide training and annual competency evaluations for Providers who perform PPMP according to accreditation standards.
10. Facilitate proficiency testing to the point-of-care testing sites and assist nursing managers to document attestation that proficiency testing samples are tested according to protocol. Analyze fallouts, facilitates corrective actions with Point of Care testing and report Corrective Action(s) to Director of Laboratory Services.
11. Oversee the day-to-day work assignments of Point of Care Assistant and ensure that workload is complete for point of care program maintenance.
12. Develop, maintain, and review point-of-care laboratory processes and procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analysis, reporting and maintaining patient result records.
13. Provide training and competency evaluations for point-of-care staff which includes employees within any department utilizing point-of-care instruments and techniques (ex: laboratory, pharmacy, and clinical departments).
14. Research new Point of Care instrumentation makes recommendations according to clinical needs, leads implementation, collaborates with Laboratory LIS Specialist for implementation, maintenance and troubleshooting of POC informatics as needed, completes implementation studies as required and consults with Laboratory Medical Director, Director of Laboratory Services and Quality Assurance Coordinator.
15. Develop, implement, and monitor effectiveness of education resources and instructional companion products designed to enhance understanding of the testing performed by the point-of-care staff.
16. Perform periodic audits of the point-of-care testing sites. Report fall-outs to the affected site for corrective action.
17. Collaborate with Supervisors to develop the budget each fiscal year for assigned section/s and assures compliance within the budgetary limitations. Evaluate new equipment, recommends and justify the purchase of equipment and supplies.
18. Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee and external customer satisfaction.
19. Collaborate with supervisors to evaluate, modify or adapt new methods or revise standard techniques to improve or expand services.
20. Periodically report to the Director of Laboratory Services and Quality Assurance Coordinator a summary of workload variations, testing site requests, cost analysis and incident resolution.
21. Responsible for electronic health records data entry pertinent to patient service role.
22. Ensure proper PPE is worn at all times while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering face piece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.
23. Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)
24. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.