Operations Director - Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

POSITION SUMMARY:

With the Chair, Chiefs of Laboratory Medicine and Anatomic Pathology, and Medical Directors the Operations Director ensures access to and delivery of high quality pathology & laboratory services consistent with patient/physician demand, in a safe, efficient and cost effective manner. 

Under the general supervision of the Senior Vice President and in collaboration with the Chair and Clinical Chiefs of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and relevant Medical Directors, the Operations Director provides leadership for continuous laboratory service and quality improvement, innovation and staff empowerment, accomplished through effective internal and external customer relations.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: the disciplines of Surgical Pathology, Intra-operative Consultation, Cytology, Aspiration Service, Immunohistochemistry, Ultrastructural studies, Image Analysis and Morphometry, Molecular Pathology, Decedent Affairs Office (including Autopsy Services), Amyloid Pathology, Hemoglobin Diagnostic Reference Laboratory, Transfusion Medicine and Tissue Dispensary, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Point of Care Testing and support services including Phlebotomy, Central Receiving, Administration, Outreach Services, Quality and Compliance Oversight including all associated laboratory and office space (approximately 60,000 gross sq ft) and 3.5 million billable tests.

Also provides management and leadership support to multiple off site areas. Management responsibilities for approximately 190 FTEs in Laboratory Medicine and 30 FTEs in Anatomic Pathology.  Budget responsibility include approximately $37 million operating budget and capital budget of ~$1-5 million.

Position: Operations Director   

Department: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine   

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Quality, Patient and Employee Safety

Ensures the delivery of quality patient and ancillary services in accordance with applicable policies, procedures and professional standards.  Ensures through leadership and management initiative via Managers and Technical Supervisors and other Senior Management Team members, and through operations and quality support to the hospital and its customers, staff and management personnel.

Manages all activities so that quality services are provided in an efficient manner that meets all applicable regulatory requirements.

Ensures patient and employee safety are held in the highest regard.

Works through Managers and Technical Supervisors and in conjunction with Medical Leadership to ensure proper departmental coverage and proper department operational requirements are satisfied.

Ensures Managers and Technical Supervisors support hospital missions and departmental policy and procedures.

Under the guidance of the Chair and Chiefs of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine maintains an effective quality assurance program.

Maintains departmental productivity measurements and reports status on a monthly basis to immediate supervisor.

Works collaboratively with Information Technology to develop the IT strategy, implement new technology and maintain current IT systems.

Works collaboratively with other department directors/staff to ensure high quality patient care.

Innovates new procedures and redesigns work practices to increase progress and eliminate rework/no-value added activities.

Plans the use of department space and equipment to both maximize utilization of square footage.

Improves the quality of laboratory testing at all times by ensuring through the Managers and Technical Supervisors that qualitative techniques, processing, developing and labeling duties are performed adequately and efficiently at all times.

Investigates and responds appropriately to all complaints and/ or compliments and takes effective corrective action when necessary.  Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with members of the organization.  Works with all unions as required by contracts while maintaining all hospital requirements and services.

Demonstrates tact, courtesy, professionalism and a positive attitude in all aspects of communication.  Consistently works with all visitors and patients and refers them to appropriate sources for assistance as part of the organization’s commitment to quality services.

Oversees all communication within assigned areas as well as throughout the organization to ensure that information is shared for effective operations.

Ensures programs and policies are in place to provide a safe work environment for all staff, patients and visitors.

Ensures that all equipment is both maintained and operated in a safe manner as instructed.  Ensures employees are familiar with laboratory safety practices and requirements.

Maintains work area and equipment in condition as required by College of American Pathologists and The Joint Commission standards and hospital and department policy and procedure.

Ensures through contractors, vendors, and in-house management that all equipment is properly maintained, upgraded evaluated and repaired.  Meets all College of American Pathologists, Joint Commission, AABB, and DPH requirements.

Utilizes hospital’s values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the division’s hospital mission.

Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

Serves as a leader in the BMC Emergency Response infrastructure as assigned.

Human Resources Management

Creates a constructive, collaborative and supportive environment to ensure high employee satisfaction

Interprets and enforces Human Resources’ policies while ensuring disciplinary actions are implemented as necessary and effective.

Maintains effective and appropriate staffing by monitoring employee turnover, overtime and absenteeism.  Utilizes data provided by Managers and Technical Supervisors and others and self-initiates data.  Implements changes as necessary based on data provided, interaction with Medical Leadership, and knowledge of department operations.

Manages Human Resources effectively by using proper recruitment, training, and competency assessment.  Ensures on time performance assessments. Utilizes proper Human Resources guidelines for departmental management, counseling initiatives and programs in both a union and non-union environment.

Works closely with Human Resources on the selection of qualified employees for employment following all policies, guidelines and applicable laws.

Advise all department personnel on any and all Laboratory issues.  Holds regular department leadership meetings and ad hoc staff meetings as necessary to ensure communication of programs, policies, procedures, initiatives, questions and concerns.

Mentors managers and other leaders as necessary.

Oversees the professional educational development of assigned areas to ensure appropriate knowledge of advances in all applicable professions thus ensuring the organization’s ability to provide state-of-the-art services.

Encourages the professional and educational development of department personnel.

Ensures that an efficient and high quality education program is maintained for students and staff.

Maintains, displays and show appropriate knowledge of all professional developments through literature, seminars, conferences, etc.

Attends appropriate professional association meetings on a regular basis.

Attends and participates in appropriate training and development workshops as scheduled by the organization and as determined through constant evaluation and upgrading of personal development.

Ensures Laboratory Education Program and Education Coordinator adhere to hospital policy and procedures for proper management of education program and support to the department staff.

Ensures effective human resources management within assigned areas to best achieve and maintain quality services and positive employee relations and a productive and fiscally managed Laboratory Medicine Department.

Financial Management

Oversees the effective fiscal management of assigned areas to ensure proper utilization of organization financial resources.

Develops departmental budget both salary and non-salary within designated deadlines according to all budgetary policies and procedures.

Responsible for the creation and oversight of the operating and capital budgets.

Utilizes all financial resources within established budget, notifies immediate supervisor of any and all variances necessary to maintain department services.

Works with Hospital Senior Vice President, Chair and Chiefs of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Managers and Technical Supervisors to ensure proper budget is appropriated and maintained.

Maintains an adequate inventory of supplies and equipment appropriate to meet the demands of the department.

In conjunction with Medical Leadership, Managers, and  Technical Supervisors, selects and negotiates with vendors for capital and other equipment acquisitions.

Ensures that the capital acquisition and replacement plan is up to date and reflects the strategic plan of the organization and the available technology.

Navigates through the capital budgeting and acquisition process to ensure appropriate maintenance and improvement of the lab infrastructure.

Works with Chair and Chiefs of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Senior Vice President to minimize costs while maintaining quality services within the institution.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree. Master’s Degree preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Certification as a medical technologist (ASCP) or clinical laboratory scientist (NCA) is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Work requires seven years management experience with at least five years of experience in laboratory leadership.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Work requires excellent presentation and technical skills.  Analytical ability to problem solves, develop solutions and implement changes as required for the hospital and the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department Management.  Leadership skills essential.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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