Podiatrist - Service Chief (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

Job Title

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (P&LM) Service

Duties

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (P&LM) Service provides a broad range of testing and consultative services in laboratory medicine, anatomic and clinical pathology, every day, at the Seattle Campus. Services for the American Lake campus laboratory which offers access to the same pathology services and clinical laboratory onsite. Overall, P&LM offers client services, chemistry, toxicology, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, transfusion, serology, microbiology, molecular microbiology, cytology, including fine needle aspiration, autopsy, surgical pathology, including immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, and point of care testing oversight at multiple locations. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Supervising the work of subordinate staff engaged in professional, managerial, technical, and other lab support activities; monitoring work performance; delegating work effectively.
• Analyzing a variety of complex laboratory issues and making sound clinical recommendations.
• Planning, developing, and coordinating quality control and quality improvement programs.
• Utilizing technology tools, including computer hardware and software, to efficiently perform duties; assisting with and coordinating the improvement of such tools.
• Overseeing activities of clinical laboratory medicine, both anatomic and clinical pathology sections, and providing supervision of the Laboratory Manager, Quality Manager, and Section Chiefs.
• Overseeing the quality of services performed by contracted commercial reference laboratories.
• Defining metrics and ensuring a program of routine monitoring and quality improvement for processes, both internal and external to P&LMS.
• Ensuring P&LM staff receive adequate initial and periodic training and proficiency or competence assessment.
• Providing consultation and guidance to health care providers regarding matters pertaining to pathology and laboratory medicine and the medical significance of laboratory findings.
• Identifying and overseeing all testing performed within the facility and outreach clinics, and providing assistance and oversight to ensure that any testing performed complies with existing VHA policies, to include oversight responsibility for Ancillary Testing Sites, and participating in the evaluation of test appropriateness for the institution regardless of the testing site. The VA Medical Center's Ancillary Testing Coordinator or other staff appointed by the Laboratory Director must provide quality improvement oversight in each Ancillary Testing Site.
• Performing site visits of the American Lake Laboratory and community-based outpatient clinics where laboratory services are offered at least quarterly and as needed to maintain high-quality services.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM.

Telework: Not authorized.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases

Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory

CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)

Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided