Supervisor, Specimen Management - Woodward, (1543)

Are you ready to help lead the way to better health?

A career at New Mexico’s largest laboratory means you’re pivotal to advancing medicine and creating healthier communities. But we’re also dedicated to improving the wellness of our employees. With excellent benefits, a culture of integrity, strong work/life balance, and numerous opportunities for career advancement and professional development, we’re confident you’ll love working at TriCore.

Robust medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and many supplemental plans

401(k) Retirement Plan with employer matching

Lucrative Paid Time Off (PTO) and nine paid holidays per year

Schedule: Monday-Friday 1300-2130 with other shifts as needed.

Job Summary

Responsible for general operation of the Specimen Management department. Coordinate activities with other areas of the organization and with internal and external customers to ensure that quality and turnaround time standards are met.

Essential Functions

1. Responsible for the overall supervision of department staff.
   • Insure that appropriate interview and selection processes are established and followed in the department. Personally interview final candidates for positions and work with the Specimen Management Manager and Human Capital Management in making final selections.
   • Oversee effective completion of performance evaluations using cumulative data obtained during the year to document progress. Support the Specimen Management Manager in writing and preparing evaluations and participate in conducting evaluation sessions as scheduled. Regularly communicate with employees regarding their performance and counsel them as needed.
   • Monitor workflow in the department. Provide general oversight of daily activities. Insure that personnel are scheduled in an effective and efficient way. Insure that employee time cards are reviewed, approved and turned in to Payroll in an effective, accurate and timely manner.
   • Oversee and conduct employee counseling and disciplinary actions as needed or appropriate. Recommend dismissal actions and work with management and Human Capital Management in determining appropriate actions.
   • Insure that appropriate staff recognition programs are in place.
   • Available to work an on-call schedule.
   • Review and approve all leave requests and time cards (for non-exempt staff only).
2. Develop and oversee with department trainer orientation and training programs for new employees and ongoing training for department staff as appropriate.
3. Be available to assist staff with questions and problem solving.
4. Maintain appropriate channels of communication within the department.
   • Provide information to staff regarding job expectations, relevant information concerning workload, work flow, process and procedure changes and general information regarding the department.
   • Provide feedback to staff regarding their performance. Provide constructive criticism in a timely and appropriate manner. Let employees know when they are and are not meeting job expectations. Provide guidance to employees on how to improve performance by coaching employees.
   • Listen effectively and with the purpose of understanding employee concerns, questions, ideas and opinions. Actively solicit staff input and feedback.
   • Coordinate and conduct department meetings on a regular basis.
5. Participate in quality assurance programs to ensure that quality standards are met. Demonstrate ability to constantly improve quality standards. Prepare QA reports in timely manner and as appropriate. Lead, Facilitate and/or participate in Quality Management and other process improvement teams as appropriate.
6. Maintain effective communication and coordination with other departments within the organization, and with contracted services.
7. Direct and facilitate employee participation in continuing education programs by working with the department trainer.
8. Actively support and implement department procedures, policies and strategies to support the corporate vision, values and strategic plans.
9. Take steps to insure that the department is in compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements. Communicated potential compliance issues to the compliance officer.
10. Insure the accuracy and integrity of the company's Specimen Management department.
11. Maintain department supplies and complete purchase requisitions for the department. Forward Special Purchase Requisition to the Specimen Management Manager for approval.
12. Assure that maintenance or repairs are done on department equipment: copier, time clocks, imaging scanners, refrigerator/freezers, centrifuges, etc.
13. Assure that the department is safely performing at a high level of accuracy and productivity.
    • Work with the department trainer in monitoring errors for quality assurance.
    • Monitor workload and provide assistance when needed during high volume times.
    • Review daily productivity and error rates reports and evaluate employee’s performance level. Help employees self-correct in a timely manner.
    • Coach and discipline staff when necessary to maintain appropriate QA and productivity standards.
    • Monitor STAT turnaround times. Arrange assistance as needed.
    • Assure that safety practices are followed at all times.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Minimum Education

• High School diploma or equivalent.

Minimum Experience

• Three (3) years relevant experience in a clinical laboratory setting with at least two (2) years of specimen processing experience.
• Previous Supervisory or Lead experience.

Immunization Requirements

• Prove immunity to Hepatitis B or be immunized or sign a waiver refusing hepatitis immunization.
• Provide documentation of a PPD test conducted not more than 90 days prior to date of hire or have a PPD test conducted.

General Requirements

1. Effective time management skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and to work in a high productivity/high stress environment.
2. Ability to deal with difficult and sensitive situations, and maintain confidentiality at all times.
3. Demonstrated problem solving skills.
4. Follow company safety and personnel policies.
5. Strong supervisory and management skills including interviewing, leadership and team building skills. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and to develop and maintain a climate of open communication and teamwork within the department.
6. Strong communication/interpersonal skills: with both internal and external customers. Ability to listen effectively to staff concerns, ideas and questions and to deal effectively with conflict situations. Ability to develop and maintain morale of department staff. Ability to provide effective feedback to department staff regarding relevant information changes and regarding their own performance. Able to provide constructive criticism in a timely and appropriate manner and to provide feedback regarding positive performance. Actively solicits feedback from staff as appropriate.
7. Strong customer service, and specimen processing skills.
8. Strong knowledge of lab wide operations.
9. Strong Leadership skills.
10. Proficient knowledge in Microsoft Word and Excel programs.
11. Ability to provide back up and fill in for department staff during times of unusually high workload or other special circumstances.