Lead Technical Coordinator

Bloodworks Northwest is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska – partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based.

We have a fantastic new job opportunity to provide leadership, technical expertise, technical coordination, and support in the HLA/Immunogenetics Laboratory at Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle, WA. Perform Coordination procedures for ordering, scheduling, and billing HLA testing. Independently perform, review, interpret, signoff, and report all clinical laboratory testing in accordance with regulatory and test manufacturer requirements and Standard Operating Procedures, including emergency testing. Create, review, signoff, and release official reports to appropriate customers, including for emergency testing. Perform advanced-level troubleshooting, staff training, mentoring, and advising on protocols, policies, and procedures. Independently conclude and use sound judgment during assigned On-call rotation. Demonstrate approachability, effective communication skills, and a positive attitude with a strong willingness to contribute to development and implementation of department goals. Act as Supervisor in the absence of department management.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following for a Bloodworks lead-level employee :

Within the department -

• Assist in setting department goals and objectives consistent with Bloodworks’ mission.
• Consistently model Bloodworks values and coach to the same expectations; contribute to and build on current practices and procedures that support values, mission, and goals.
• Ensure that department documents, procedures, and actions comply with all laws, regulations, standards, and policies. Please ensure staff follow these requirements and report any discrepancies to department management.
• Meet customer needs and expectations.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with coworkers and customers.
• Exhibit respect for others and help others willingly.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: As a lead On-Call General Supervisor :

• Must successfully perform all duties and meet all required competencies of a Technologist IV.
• Act as General Supervisor to meet ASHI Standards D.6.2.3 regulations: before release, final reports must be reviewed and approved.
• Assist Immunogenetics Directors/Supervisors with after-hours oversight of the HLA/Immunogenetics Laboratory, including providing interpretation of test data to Directors for clinical consultation with physicians.
• Assist Immunogenetics Directors by providing data necessary for virtual crossmatches.
• Advise On-call Technologists on interpretation of test results.
• Carry an appropriate electronic communication device (cell phone, laptop, etc.) at all times; respond within 10 minutes.
• Perform Final Report Review procedures remotely or in the laboratory to ensure accurate test results for emergency testing, including Deceased Donor Initial Workups, Final Crossmatching, Post-Transplant Monitoring, and Transfusion Support.
• Report test results verbally or electronically to appropriate transplant coordinators.
• Assist with oversight of 24-hour REES alarm monitoring for equipment, in concert with Supervisors.
• Send morning email updates to HLA Coordinator shared mailbox to ensure emergency testing is ordered.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: As a Lead Technical Coordinator with a CHS or 8 years of testing experience :

As a member of the HLA leadership team -

• Maintain confidentiality as part of the management team.
• Communicate frequently using a variety of methods, including one-on-one, email, and during staff meetings.
• Demonstrate trust in each other and have assurance that issues will be kept in confidence.
• Provide timely and honest feedback to fellow leadership members regarding how the team functions.
• Challenge and offer support to peers to ensure success.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: As a Lead Technical Coordinator with a CHS or 8 years of testing experience :

• Perform assignment of antibody specificities, including epitope analysis and appropriate epitope nomenclature.
• Participate in scheduling for laboratory operations.
• Ensure that the department procedures and references are current and reflect accurate instructions.
• Assist with optimal productivity and cost-effectiveness for testing.
• Participate in interviews and assess qualifications based on the needs of positions.
• Perform and demonstrate competency in assigned responsibilities of the Technical Specialistjob description, including:

• • Manage validation protocols for the HLA/Immunogenetics Laboratory.
  • Manage Quality Control (QC), calibration, and maintenance of assigned equipment.
  • Manage Reagent QC for assigned area.
  • Participate as a subject matter expert in department software.
  • Coordinate activities associated with the implementation of new laboratory methods and/or equipment.
  • Participate in review of Nonconformances (NCs).
  • Serve as the subject matter expert for Training and Competency Assessments for assigned area.
  • Track performance metrics and quality indicators.

• Maintain familiarity with policies/processes/procedures/regulations to perform the duties of the position effectively.
• Complete all required testing for Quality Control in an accurate and timely manner.
• Represent HLA in organization-wide projects touching the position’s principal responsibilities.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings. Follow up on information when unable to attend.
• Conduct periodic Lead Technical Coordinator meetings to support effective communication.
• Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEC) as mandated by the ASHI. Attend Bloodworks-sponsored teleconferences and other ASHI-approved educational seminars, as appropriate.
• Complete all requirements for Competency Evaluations in an accurate and timely manner.
• Complete all required Read-Only Training promptly.
• Submit preferences for On-Call scheduling promptly.
• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as written.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS :

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must qualify as a General Supervisor under ASHI Standards, as outlined in section E.1.4 (which exceeds CLIA requirements).
• Must qualify as a General Supervisor, High Complexity Testing, under CLIA personnel requirements found in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Bachelor of Science degree in clinical laboratory science (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Current certification as an ACHI-Certified Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) is required.
• Certification as an ACHI-Certified Histocompatibility Specialist (CHS) is preferred .
• Maintain active certification and submit continuing education (CE) credits at the end of each three-year period. CHT is 6.0 CEC (60 contact hours), and CHS is 8.0 CEC (80 contact hours) per 3-year period.
• Proficient in all the equivalent functions of the Technologist IV or Technical Specialist position, typically representative of a minimum of 6 years of HLA experience.
• Three years of experience in an assigned On-call rotation within the last five years is required.
• One year of experience in leading and/or managing complex laboratory quality assurance programs (preferred).
• Two years of prior laboratory leadership experience preferred.

Specific job skills include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrated technical and procedural expertise in HLA/Immunogenetics testing.
• Required mental activities include continuous discretion, decision-making, teamwork, interpersonal skills, problem analysis, training, independent judgment and/or action, and the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English. Other required mental activities include creativity, customer service, mentoring, supervising, basic math (used frequently), presentations/teaching, advanced math (used occasionally), and basic programming (used rarely).
• Required physical activities include continuous handling of items, seeing, and hearing. Other required physical activities include sitting, standing, walking, stooping, talking, reaching, and repetitive hand/wrist motions (all used frequently); bending, feeling, and repetitive foot motions (all used occasionally); and crawling, climbing, and kneeling (used rarely).
• The job requires the ability to push up to 30 pounds and to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to lift a 20-pound freezer rack from a liquid nitrogen freezer, using protective gloves, from 3 feet to 6 feet.
• Requires significant manual dexterity to operate various instruments and enter required data.
• Must be capable of performing independent work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Must prioritize activities effectively and reprioritize as needed to accommodate tight deadlines and a varying workload; must work effectively under stress and demonstrate initiative.
• Strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability to multitask to meet time expectations effectively.
• Advanced-level proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is required.
• Functional-level proficiency with Crystal Reports and SQL is preferred.
• Must participate in an independent On-call rotation. This includes answering calls within 10 minutes and responding during inclement weather and other emergencies.
• Ability to comprehend the criticality of the testing being performed, as it relates to blood components prepared for transfusion or organs being transplanted. Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of testing reagents and blood components being prepared, and the need to follow all regulatory rules and regulations (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and State), including FDA’s “Good Manufacturing Practices”.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Telecommuting is an occasional but not permanent condition of this role.
• This is a highly regulated position and is subject to various regulatory agency and accrediting body rules and regulations, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) via CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments), the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
• Job conditions include the ability to frequently work scheduled “On-call", occasionally working long hours (sometimes exceeding 24 hours) under time restraints and consulting with medical personnel to make critical decisions that impact patient care. Organs are assigned, and surgeons operate based on decisions the On-Call Director makes in conjunction with data and information supplied by the Lead Technical Coordinator; therefore, being on-call imposes considerable stress.
• Job conditions to be expected include substantial overtime and On-call status (frequent); heavy lifting, constant standing, extensive close and CRT work, extended hours, and sleep deprivation (occasional); and evening meetings (rare).
• As On-Call employees are considered essential positions with direct responsibility to donors and patients, incumbents should be prepared to work extended and/or consecutive shifts and/or possibly at a different location during periods of inclement weather or other emergencies.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays as assigned.
• Ability to work scheduled “On-call” for up to 4-5 days each month.
• Bloodworks is a community-supported non-profit organization. As such, (from time to time) the incumbent can expect to work with volunteers.
• Work area utilizes powerful magnets. Pacemakers and other objects that respond to strong magnetic fields may be affected.
• This position has direct exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Benefits and Perks:

Employees regularly scheduled for 24+ hours per week are covered by medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with family coverage also available. You can also participate in retirement plans (401a & 401b), a consolidated paid leave program (4.8–6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), a subsidized transit program, and educational reimbursement. Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus*.

*Conditions apply

Bloodworks Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.