Administrative Director of Clinical Laboratory Operations

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The Administrative Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations reports to the Chief Diagnostics Officer and is responsible for overseeing all of the administrative and operational aspects of the CLIA lab at the New York Genome Center (“NYGC”). This position plans, organizes and directs a group of scientists, technologists and administrative staff whose efforts are devoted to the development and ongoing performance of next-generation sequencing molecular diagnostics assays in accordance with the CLEP and CLIA regulations; performing clinical testing on a fee-for-service basis, collaborative, or grant-funded clinical research; and developing new clinical assays to keep NYGC at the forefront of precision medicine. This position is responsible for ensuring the lab runs smoothly.

Key Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

1. Work with the clinical wet lab, supporting the Senior Clinical Lab Manager to ensure that the quality and throughput of NYGC's services are consistent and of a high standard, and on the optimization of existing sequencing processes and protocols.

• Ensures the provision of clinical laboratory services to meet the needs of clinical projects, providers, patients, and performs in accordance with accepted standards and practices, as well as regulations stipulated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) and Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program (CLEP).
• Evaluates laboratory functions, practices, reporting mechanisms and record keeping.
• Interacts regularly with laboratory staff regarding operational improvements, issues, and resolutions.
• Improves turnaround times and increases efficiency in the lab, identifying opportunities for resource savings.
• Establishes policies, procedures, standards, and objectives for the provision of laboratory services.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate quality of lab services, including:
• Assures the delivery of quality laboratory services for the various clinical projects.
• Responsible for monitoring quality of all data generated in the clinical laboratory and ensures the delivery of quality laboratory services for the various patient populations.
• Evaluates performance and maintains total quality management, coordinating with other departments and various teams to provide support for clinical laboratory operations, while maintaining accountability for operations.
• Develops and maintains total quality management relative to the mission of the department in collaboration with the medical directors for Lab.

2. Oversees the administrative operations of the clinical lab, supporting the Manager, Clinical Operations through strategic input, leadership, and oversight.

• Ensures appropriate allocation of efforts to achieve the goals of the lab and support the Chief Diagnostics Officer.
• Partners with the Chief Diagnostics Officer to target process improvement efforts to enhance patient and provider satisfaction, quality, and financial performance.
• Maintains established performance metrics to optimize performance related to; 1. Lab quality, 2. Patient and provider experience, 3. Employee engagement 4. Productivity & efficiency, 5. Financial performance.
• Along with the Manager, Clinical Operations maintains reports and statistics for administrative, planning, quality improvement and regulatory responses.
• Creates and sustains a culture for operational excellence by engaging process improvement thinking, tools, and processes to create value, reduce redundancies, and implement standard work.
• Develops, recommends, and manages the departmental operating budget and ensures that the department operates within allocated funds and/or the strategic realities of the clinical projects. Achieves planned annual operating budget and productivity benchmark targets as assigned. Identifies and coordinates capital expenditures with Finance through the Administration.
• Develops goals and objectives, establishes, and implements policies and procedures for department operations.
• Reviews department performance, changes as needed to improve quality of services and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Keeps the lab staff informed of department mission, performance, needs, challenges, regulations as well as other clinical, administrative and fiscal matters pertaining to assessment, fiscal analysis, regulatory compliance and continuous quality improvement (CQI).
• Participates in staff meetings and attends other meetings as assigned.

3. Responsible, in partnership with the Chief Diagnostics Officer, for achieving departmental revenue goals and scientific goals.

• Contributes to revenue generation by identifying and bringing in significant scientific, commercial, and funding opportunities.
• Identifies, coordinates, drafts, and drives grant applications and strategic scientific collaboration proposals, ensuring the success of scientific collaborations, and
• Oversees support for Business Development on clinical inquiries and RFPs for future business opportunities, and proactively assists clinical leadership to identify key metrics then track and analyze projects against those metrics.
• Represents the clinical lab in meetings with potential business partners and collaborators.
• Meets with external investigators and NYGC affiliate members, and coordinates with internal staff to identify, prioritize, and initiate scientific collaborations relevant to clinical projects.

4. Establishes and maintains communications across the Laboratory and with other departments.

• Apprises staff within and outside of the clinical lab of the initiatives, projects, environment affecting their sphere of practice and mission.
• Proactively and effectively partners with key stakeholders on all projects.
• Participates in NYGC's initiatives, when deemed appropriate.
• With the Associate Director of Production Laboratory, supports, coordinates, and integrates production wet lab operations with those in the clinical laboratory.
• Engages and manages key project relationships with Manager, Clinical Operations.
• Develops relationships with professional affiliations and others as appropriate.

5. Composes summaries for various legal documents, including laboratory services, MTAs (Material Transfer Agreements), and research collaborations.People management.

• Responsible for recruitment, retention, development, performance management.
• Responsible for overseeing the development of training/orientation and overall department staff performance.
• Develops standards of performance, monitors, and leads staff; evaluates performance and initiates or approves personnel actions such as merit increases, promotions, disciplinary actions, and career/practice development incentives.
• Develops and maintains s and standards of performance for all staff members.
• Assures competencies of all staff.
• Resolves staff grievances.
• Proactively provides guidance and consultation to all staff relevant to their areas of focus.

This is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual assigned to this role. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the person in this position.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. MBA preferred.
• Understanding of insurance/billing for clinical tests required.
• 5 years of clinical laboratory management experience required.
• ASCP or equivalent.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills required, as well as excellent interpersonal skills, organizational skills and customer service skills.
• Proven computer skills required, including Microsoft Office and a thorough understanding of the theory and application of systems related to clinical laboratories.
• Working knowledge of Lab Information Management Systems (LIMS) required.
• Supervisory and management skills required, including at least five years progressive management experience, experience determining work priorities, auditing work quality, orienting and training, providing mentoring, coaching, training, and development to staff.

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Competencies

• Technical and Professional Skills : Consistently demonstrates skills and knowledge relevant for current role; strives to expand the depth and breadth of technical and professional skills; works with a high level of integrity; exhibits focus and discipline; appropriately prioritizes, manages expectations and delivers on commitments.
• Collaborative & Communicative : Models collaboration and teamwork; brings out the best in others; effectively works with all levels, internally and externally; respects and embraces diversity of perspective; communicates clearly and listens carefully; uses good judgment as to what to communicate and when to do so.
• Adaptable & Innovative : Adaptable and embraces change; develops new insights and pursues improvements and efficiency; fosters exchange of new ideas and willing to challenge the status quo; takes initiative and is solution-oriented; engages in work with passion and curiosity.
• Leader and Manager : Attracts, develops and retains diverse talent to achieve outstanding results; encourages professional development, coaches and regularly communicates expectations and feedback; aligns and inspires efforts toward our mission; translates organizational vision into action; responsibly utilizes NYGC's human and financial resources to ensure organizational and financial health; uses good judgment when making decisions; pushes boundaries and generates new ideas.

Work Flexibility

NYGC has established a flexible work policy to give employees and other staff more ability to balance their work, personal commitments, and commuting challenges. The incumbent in this position is eligible for a flexible work schedule, and/or hybrid or fully remote work arrangement with supervisory approval.

Salary & Benefits

The expected pay for the position is $165,000, with a pay range of $143,000 to $170,000 year; the base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, NYGC offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits as well as generous time off. This includes Medical/Dental/Vision for employees; dependent(s); Vacation, Holidays, Sick, and Other Leave, including a paid winter break; a 401(k) match; Life Insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; employee Tuition Reimbursement; flexible schedules and telework options for some positions; an Employee Assistance Program; and much more.

About the Clinical Lab

The New York Genome Center has a state-of-the-art clinical diagnostic laboratory that utilizes next-generation sequencing technology to perform cutting-edge tests in the areas of genetics and oncology. The Clinical Laboratory is accredited by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and the Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program of the New York State Department of Health (CLEP). It is licensed to perform clinical testing in all fifty (50) of the United States and the District of Columbia. The laboratory participates in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) proficiency testing. Click here to see our laboratory permits and accreditations.

About the New York Genome Center

The New York Genome Center (NYGC) is an independent, nonprofit, academic research organization dedicated to advancing genomic research. NYGC scientists and staff are furthering new approaches to diagnosing and treating neurological diseases and cancer through their unique capabilities in whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, state-of-the art analytics, and the development of genomic tools. NYGC concentrates specifically on disease-based research in the following areas: neuropsychiatric disease (autism, schizophrenia, bipolar); neurodegenerative disease (ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's), and cancer.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the New York Genome Center was founded by and remains closely affiliated with the leading academic medical centers and research universities in the New York region, engaging in research projects with and for these institutions. Essential to our collaborative work is an outstanding faculty, whose members typically hold a joint appointment at NYGC and a partner university. They support our scientific mission by conducting independent research in areas of mutual interest to us and the wider scientific community.

Please note: We care greatly about our employees' wellbeing, so NYGC has moved to a fully COVID-19 vaccinated work environment. You must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to work at NYGC, even if you are working partially remotely. If you are selected to interview for this role, we will explain our vaccination policy (including medical and religious exemptions) and ensure you are comfortable moving forward with further interviews.

Equal Opportunity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to NYGC's core mission. We strive to create a workplace environment that is welcoming and fair to all regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, or religion. We believe that when people of various backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives work together in an inclusive and equitable environment we gain new and valuable perspectives that otherwise would have been missed. Valuing and supporting all NYGC employees as individuals while helping them realize their full potential is critical to promoting greater collaboration, innovation, and discovery - fostering a sense of belonging for our greatest strength, our people. We recognize that there is still work to be done that will require sustained commitment from the entire organization.

The New York Genome Center is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, protected veteran or military status, domestic violence victim status, partnership status, caregiver status, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. NYGC takes affirmative action in support of its policy to hire and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

FLSA Status - Exempt

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or relocation assistance.