Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist

At Houston Methodist the Lead MedicalLaboratory Scientist position is responsible for serving as thelead person for the assigned section(s) within Laboratory Servicesand in this capacity performs lead job duties and/or regularlyleads projects or performs specialized responsibilities as aregular part of normal job responsibilities. This position servesas the liaison between management staff and physicians for routinematters resolving questions and issues. This position serves tosupport staff in ensuring the delivery of exceptional patient careand adherence to standards of practice for optimal patient safetyquality outcomes and customer service. Duties may be varied and mayinclude many of the following: organize work schedules create workassignments review timecards for accuracy conduct quality assuranceaudits of staff performance develop and implement qualityimprovement activities train and mentor staff provide feedback onstaff performance and developmental needs collect/analyze/report ondata prepare reports on performance and metrics and otherresponsibilities of a similar nature and level. This positionperforms Medical Laboratory Scientist/Specialist functions such asperforming both routine and complex analyses and ensuring thatspecimens are accessioned and processed expeditiously in order todeliver quality laboratory results in an effective and costefficient manner. This position also fulfills the duties ofClinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) GeneralSupervisor when required.

PEOPLEESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotesa positive work environment and leads the team to be dynamic and afocused work unit that actively helps one another to achieveoptimal department results. Collaborates with all members of thepatient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinentpatient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Rolemodels to team members effective communication skills assisting intheir development of suchskills.

• Effectivelyimplements protocols and objectives with team members to result inoptimization of staff performance teamwork patient safety andcustomer service. Provides feedback to management on team memberperformance and conduct. Develops skills of team members andcontinually assists with improving skills performance and outcomes.Interviews applicants and provides input into hiring of newstaff.

• Participates inlaboratory and organization wide initiatives. Represents LaboratoryServices in committees asdirected.

SERVICE ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS

• Coordinates theworkflow processes staff assignments and services provided forassigned laboratory section(s) adjusting as needed to result inoptimum patient care throughput and patient experiences. Ensuresturnaround time expectations as defined by management are met bythe section teams.

• Servesas liaison between team members management and physicians resolvingroutine matters for the shift andsections.

• Performsqualitative and quantitative tests and examination using variousanalyzers and/or manualmethods.

QUALITY/SAFETYESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performsthe six elements of competency for test systems used to generatepatient test results in all areas assigned towork.

• Recognizesinvestigates and correctly resolves test discrepancies. Whenproblems arise takes appropriate action to investigate and addressand notifies management forfollowup.

• Develops planleads implementation and performs data analysis of validations.Coordinates instrument maintenance and repairs. Assists with policyreview andsubmission.

• Independentlyhandles resolution of complex problems and issues for section.Serves as escalation support for less experiencedstaff.

• Oversees sectioncompliance by reviewing and responding to College of AmericanPathologists (CAP) Accreditation Checklists questions/findings.Completes online CAP Inspector Training. Investigates and respondsto reports on patient safetymatters.

FINANCE ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS

• Selfmotivated toindependently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.Provides leadership to staff on efficient utilization of timeaccording to budgetary guidelines. Accurately reviews and editsteam members timecards for managementapproval.

• Uses resourcesefficiently; does not wastesupplies.

GROWTH/INNOVATIONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Generates andcommunicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality orservice.

• Seeksopportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies forself and others with a focus on continual development. Gains andutilizes knowledge of new technologies that are emerging forlaboratory.

This job description isnot intended to be allinclusive; the employee will also performother reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. HoustonMethodist reserves the right to revise job duties andresponsibilities as the need arises.EDUCATION

• Bachelorsdegree

• If fulfilling theduties of CLIA General Supervisor Bachelors degree in a chemicalphysical biological or clinical laboratory science or medicaltechnology from an accreditedinstitution

WORKEXPERIENCE

• Three years ofexperience in a clinical laboratory as a Medical LaboratoryScientist/Medical Technologist or comparablerole

LICENSES ANDCERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Musthave one of the following required certifications:
• • Preferred Certified as a MedicalTechnologist Clinical Laboratory Scientist Medical LaboratoryScientist or categorical certification by Board of Certification(ASCP)
• • Certified as a MedicalTechnologist by American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• • Certified as a Clinical LaboratoryScientist by National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel(NCA)
• • HLA only One of thefollowing is required:
  ◊ Medical TechnologistMT(ASCP) or Medical Laboratory Scientist MLS(ASCP) certification
  ◊ Certified by American Board ofHistocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI)
• • Microbiology only One of the following is required:
  ◊ Medical Technologist MT(ASCP) or MedicalLaboratory Scientist MLS(ASCP) certification
  ◊Microbiology M(ASCP) certification
  ◊ Clinicalmicrobiology registry from American Society for MicrobiologyRM(AAM)

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ANDABILITIES

• Demonstrates theskills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assignedjob determined through ongoing skills competency assessments andperformanceevaluations

• Sufficientproficiency in speaking reading and writing the English languagenecessary to perform the essential functions of this job especiallywith regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety orsecurity

• Ability toeffectively communicate with patients physicians family members andcoworkers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus andapplication of positive languageprinciples

• Exhibits stronginterpersonal teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of thehealthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer serviceto all patients visitors physicians andcoworkers

• Adapts tomultiple ongoing priorities including organizing heavy workflowwith minimalsupervision

• Demonstratescritical thinkingskills

• Strong attention todetail and ability to achieve and maintainaccuracy

• Ability to workindependently and execute above average technicalskills

• Demonstrates soundjudgment and discretion to recognize problems ranging from simpleto complex identify causes and take correctiveaction

• Strong trainingleadership and mentoringskills

• Able to researchinformation for new platforms and/or emergenttechnologies

• Possessesbasic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems toinclude Hospital/Laboratory Information Systems and Office softwareto maintain patient and testing records and other relateddocuments

• Ability torecognize changes that are critical to patientcare

SUPPLEMENTALREQUIREMENTS

WORKATTIRE

• UniformNo
• Scrubs Yes
• Businessprofessional Yes
• Other (department approved)No

ONCALL*
*Notethat employees may be required to be oncall during emergencies (ie.DIsaster Severe Weather Events etc) regardless of selectionbelow.

• On Call*Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travelspecifications may vary bydepartment**

• May requiretravel within the Houston Metropolitan areaYes
• May require travel outside HoustonMetropolitan areaYes

CompanyProfile:

Houston Methodist CypressHospital scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025 will beHouston Methodists ninth hospital and will incorporate the mostadvanced technology available from the day the doors open. With 100beds (at our opening; licensed for 276) and a prime location in theheart of the rapidly growing U.S. 290 corridor the hospital will beequipped with technologically advanced innovations implementedduring COVID many of them designed to make patient communicationwith physicians staff and families the very best and most effectivein any health care facility. Even though the hospital wont be fullyoperational until 2025 we have several services and specialtiesopening in 2024.

Houston Methodist is an equalopportunity employer inclusive of women minorities disabled personsand veterans.

Equal EmploymentOpportunity

Houston Methodist isan Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employmentopportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodistis firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage indiscrimination against or harassment of any person employed orseeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of racecolor religion sex sexual orientation gender identity nationalorigin age disability status as a protected veteran or othercharacteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractorpriority referral Protected Veteransrequested.

Remote Work :

No

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