Lab Section Chief-Hospital-Inpatient Full-time Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare - McHenry, IL

Full-time - Senior

McHenry, IL

Hospitals

About the position

The Laboratory Section Chief (LSC) at Northwestern Medicine is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the laboratory department, ensuring accurate and timely testing services. This role involves supervising staff, providing coaching and development, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. The LSC is expected to be a working supervisor, proficient in all assigned services, and actively participate in the laboratory's operations while fostering a positive and efficient work environment.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates I-CARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence).
• Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor, and appearance.
• Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers.
• Addresses questions and concerns promptly, or identifies appropriate person and resources to do so.
• Provides directions or help to patients and customers with finding their way.
• Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
• Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments.
• Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.
• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
• Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
• Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
• Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline and improve work processes.
• Accurately assesses problems utilizing problem solving skills.
• Responds to customer calls in a professional and courteous manner.
• Reports test results accurately over the telephone to appropriate individuals.
• Understands the operation and maintenance of equipment pertinent to job.
• Demonstrates knowledge of reference ranges for the infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient.
• Collects QI data in a timely fashion.
• Performs, interprets, and documents QC appropriately.
• Performs QC review and ensures all QC documentation is complete.
• Oversees and performs routine and stat testing in the section assigned to them.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in a manner that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Utilizes resources effectively and contributes to cost containment efforts.
• Assists Director in the development of budgets for area of responsibility and meets projected financial targets through fiscal responsibility.
• Evaluates existing services, systems, methods, procedures, instrumentation and staffing for appropriateness.
• Prioritizes work correctly and is able to multi-task.
• Maintains competency for all personnel under LSC accountability.
• Works on the bench when needed as workload and staffing dictates.
• Maintains inventory at proper levels by ordering supplies as needed.
• Maintains instruments in the most current operating condition by implementing updates in a timely manner.
• Participates in organizational and departmental performance improvement activities.
• Communicates verbally in a clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrates flexibility and dependability related to scheduling and completing workload.
• Recommends improvements in lab services and implements changes in concert with responsible Director.
• Develops and maintains good working relationship with pathology staff and laboratory staff to assure effective coordination and implementation of lab services.
• Assures complete and ongoing communication with staff, peers and superiors through appropriate written memos and regularly scheduled staff meetings.
• Keeps Director, Medical Director and Staff informed of all changes in services and areas of concern.
• Supports the education of physicians by providing written communication on testing changes.
• Meets current standards and policies for documentation.
• Provides documentation that is timely, accurate, up to date, complete and legible.
• Performs accurate computer and non-computer data entries and documentation, including validation and interface testing.
• Maintains schedule for maintenance, notifies Director of any ongoing testing problems.
• Reviews QC/QA records to assure completeness and to identify areas of concern.
• Reports findings to director or medical director.
• Maintains proficiency in computer software necessary for performance of supervisory duties.
• Assists director in the development of budgets for area of responsibility and meets projected financial targets through fiscal responsibility.
• Evaluates new procedures and equipment for department, updates and maintains procedure manuals, and provides information for budget to lab director.
• Maintains regulatory accreditation by reviewing results of proficiency testing and corrects deficiencies as needed.
• Assists the laboratory director in evaluating the regulatory compliance of other facilities by participating in CAP inspections of those facilities.
• Initiates the meeting of responsibilities without prompting.
• Demonstrates the values of team concept on a consistent basis.
• Interacts with all team members in a professional manner.
• Develops orientation, training programs, and competencies to meet the department staff and management needs in coordination with department educator.

Requirements

• At least three years of clinical experience in a JCAHO or CAP accredited laboratory in the section they are to supervise.
• Medical Technologist Certification MT(ASCP) or equivalent with a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) in Clinical Laboratory Science.
• Individual must meet the requirements for performing high complexity testing as defined by federal licensing guidelines (CLIA) and accreditation agencies (Joint Commission, CAP).
• Self-control in stressful situations.
• Ability to promote and work in a 'team' environment.
• Ability to communicate in an effective and professional manner.
• Ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.

Nice-to-haves

• At least five years of clinical experience in a JCAHO or CAP accredited laboratory in the section they are to supervise.
• Ability to be self-motivated and to work for periods without direct supervision.
• Ability to manage time well through prioritization of tasks.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to make decisions and to willingly accept decision-making concerning departmental operations when appropriate.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and coworkers.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) matching
• Loan forgiveness