Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist

At Houston Methodist, the Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist position is responsible for serving as the lead person for the assigned section(s) within Laboratory Services and in this capacity performs lead job duties and/or regularly leads projects or performs specialized responsibilities as a regular part of normal job responsibilities. This position serves as the liaison between management, staff and physicians for routine matters, resolving questions and issues. This position serves to support staff in ensuring the delivery of exceptional patient care and adherence to standards of practice for optimal patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service. Duties may be varied and may include many of the following: organize work schedules, create work assignments, review timecards for accuracy, conduct quality assurance audits of staff performance, develop and implement quality improvement activities, train and mentor staff, provide feedback on staff performance and developmental needs, collect/analyze/report on data, prepare reports on performance and metrics, and other responsibilities of a similar nature and level. This position performs Medical Laboratory Scientist/Specialist functions, such as performing both routine and complex analyses and ensuring that specimens are accessioned and processed expeditiously in order to deliver quality laboratory results in an effective and cost efficient manner. This position also fulfills the duties of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) General Supervisor when required.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and leads the team to be dynamic and a focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Role models to team members effective communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills.

• Effectively implements protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of staff performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service. Provides feedback to management on team member performance and conduct. Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes. Interviews applicants and provides input into hiring of new staff.

• Participates in laboratory and organization wide initiatives. Represents Laboratory Services in committees as directed.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates the workflow, processes, staff assignments, and services provided for assigned laboratory section(s), adjusting as needed, to result in optimum patient care, throughput and patient experiences. Ensures turnaround time expectations as defined by management are met by the section teams.

• Serves as liaison between team members, management and physicians, resolving routine matters for the shift and sections.

• Performs qualitative and quantitative tests and examination using various analyzers and/or manual methods.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs the six elements of competency for test systems used to generate patient test results in all areas assigned to work.

• Recognizes, investigates and correctly resolves test discrepancies. When problems arise, takes appropriate action to investigate and address and notifies management for follow-up.

• Develops plan, leads implementation, and performs data analysis of validations. Coordinates instrument maintenance and repairs. Assists with policy review and submission.

• Independently handles resolution of complex problems and issues for section. Serves as escalation support for less experienced staff.

• Oversees section compliance by reviewing and responding to College of American Pathologists (CAP) Accreditation Checklists questions/findings. Completes online CAP Inspector Training. Investigates and responds to reports on patient safety matters.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks. Provides leadership to staff on efficient utilization of time according to budgetary guidelines. Accurately reviews and edits team member's timecards for management approval.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies for self and others with a focus on continual development. Gains and utilizes knowledge of new technologies that are emerging for laboratory.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree

• If fulfilling the duties of CLIA General Supervisor - Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience in a clinical laboratory as a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist or comparable role

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• Must have one of the following required certifications:
• • Preferred - Certified as a Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, or categorical certification by Board of Certification (ASCP)
• • Certified as a Medical Technologist by American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• • Certified as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist by National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA)
• • HLA only - One of the following is required:
  Medical Technologist, MT(ASCP) or Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP) certification
  Certified by American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI)
• • Microbiology only - One of the following is required:
  Medical Technologist, MT(ASCP) or Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP) certification
  Microbiology, M(ASCP) certification
  Clinical microbiology registry from American Society for Microbiology, RM(AAM)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities including organizing heavy workflow with minimal supervision

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills

• Strong attention to detail and ability to achieve and maintain accuracy

• Ability to work independently and execute above average technical skills

• Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion to recognize problems ranging from simple to complex, identify causes and take corrective action

• Strong training, leadership, and mentoring skills

• Able to research information for new platforms and/or emergent technologies

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital/Laboratory Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents

• Ability to recognize changes that are critical to patient care

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL
Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call Yes

TRAVEL
Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, will be Houston Methodist's ninth hospital and will incorporate the most advanced technology available from the day the doors open. With 100 beds (at our opening; licensed for 276) and a prime location in the heart of the rapidly growing U.S. 290 corridor, the hospital will be equipped with technologically advanced innovations implemented during COVID, many of them designed to make patient communication with physicians, staff and families the very best and most effective in any health care facility. Even though the hospital won't be fully operational until 2025, we have several services and specialties opening in 2024.
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