Supervisor, Immunohematology Reference Lab - Central Seattle

Formerly Puget Sound Blood Center and Lane Blood Center, Bloodworks 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.

$5,000 signing bonus*

Are you a mission-driven Laboratory Leader with IRL experience?

Then our Immunohematology Reference (IRL) Supervisor position may be a good fit for you! Key responsibilities include managing departmental staff and supervising key projects in accordance with established priorities and timelines. Coordinate quality review and management of errors, error correction, corrective actions, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) revisions, and validations associated with IRL processes. Provide technical expertise in IRL testing and the development and implementation of new methods, and, as needed, perform clinical laboratory testing.


Requirements:

• Must qualify as General Supervisor, High Complexity Testing, under CLIA personnel requirements found in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Certification as a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) is required. Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of laboratory technical experience, with at least 2 years in immunohematology reference testing, is required (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• A minimum of three years of laboratory supervisor or Lead experience is preferred.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to: As an IRL Supervisor:

Supervise Frontline Staff.

• Interview and select new staff. Review hiring selections with the Manager and Vice President.
• Oversee staff training to ensure they perform the duties outlined in their job descriptions. Ensure that training is documented, and ensure that staff perform only those duties for which they have been trained.
• Coordinate ongoing competency assessments and ensure they are completed promptly.
• Maintain all related documents in employee files, including onboarding, CLIA requirements, and Competency. Ensure staff progression and growth following successful Competency and the addition of responsibilities.
• Evaluate individual performance based on pre-determined expectations. Coach staff to ensure continuous development. Counsel, discipline, and terminate staff when performance falls short of expectations.
• Provide feedback to employees on attendance and punctuality.
• Conduct periodic performance evaluations.
• Select, coach, and develop lead tech personnel to serve as supervisory backup.
• Communicate frequently using a variety of methods, including one-on-one, email, and staff meetings.
• Implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures.
• Review the time coding before payroll deadlines. Ensure Pay practices and policies are consistently applied and followed.

Ensure operations are Efficient and Customer Requirements are met.

• Identify opportunities and implement process improvements, best practices, and/or processes that assure work efficiency.
• Schedule staff work assignments to ensure optimal productivity and cost-effectiveness. Monitor schedules to ensure staffing resources are appropriately allocated. Coordinate the assignment of workload to applicable IRL staff according to each staff member's training and Ability.
• Manage workflow to ensure that turnaround time goals are met.
• Set priorities and arrange staffing for emergency or STAT procedures.
• Maintain competence to perform testing during staffing gaps. Review workup documentation, final reports, and coordinate billing for testing performed.
• Serve as initial consult to external laboratory personnel and physicians regarding the clinical significance of results, with support from Bloodworks Medical Staff.
• Participate in developing the department's annual personnel and operating budget. Administer the budget with an emphasis on optimal resource use and waste reduction.
• Rotate as the on-call supervisor and be available for consultation after hours.
• Identify opportunities and implement process improvement, best practices, and processes that assure work methods are efficient. Coordinate the evaluation of alternate reagents and equipment for potential future process integration.
• With the Laboratory Manager, CLIA Director, Vice President, and/or staff, establish departmental performance metrics and quality indicators. Communicate performance to the laboratory.
• Ensure staff are customer-focused and understand customers' needs. Resolve customer service issues in collaboration with the Manager, CLIA Director, and/or Vice President.

Assure Quality and Regulatory Standards are met.

• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as written.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Ensure quality practices are followed, and error reporting is documented.
• Investigate and document occurrences that contribute to errors, accidents, or adverse outcomes, including risk assessment. Report results to the Manager in a timely fashion. Recommend and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and process improvements when identified. Utilize technical resources to assist in problem resolution and remediation.
• Authors and/or participants in the qualification and validation of new/revised processes, equipment, and software.
• Participate as part of the management team in laboratory accreditation inspections, and internal and external audits.
• Monitor work practices to ensure current Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are employed, quality control is performed, and equipment is maintained.
• Coordinate the completion of Proficiency Testing (PT) CAP/AABB Surveys. Ensures rotation of proficiency testing among all staff. Directly reports survey results to CAP/AABB or delegates to the appropriate Lead Scientist.
• Ensure the integrity of the department's written and electronic records
• Coordinate laterally within Transfusion Services to ensure processes are optimized, resources are appropriately used, and quality practices are consistently applied.
• Oversee 24-hour REES monitoring for equipment, in concert with Managers.
• Develop written standard operating procedures as assigned.
• Assure a safe work environment by reviewing and developing safety practices, communicating with staff, and ensuring compliance. Evaluate safety reports and remediate problems.
• Ensures that employees are scheduled appropriately to complete CLIA Competency Assessments and that such assessments are completed on time.

Operational Support

• Participate in interdepartmental project teams when the scope of those projects affects IRL's daily operations.
• Partner with laboratory leadership for the implementation of genomics testing into laboratory processes.
• Assure the coordination of the screening, typing, packing, and/or shipment of rare units and rare plasma/serum samples for national exchange.
• Process unusual or complex service or information requests. Consult with laboratory leadership regarding these requests as applicable.
• Coordinate special research and development projects.
• Maintain software/electronic applications used for daily operations (Antigen Plus, maintain Macros, rare donor list, etc.).
• Coordinate training of medical fellows during rotation and daily report review with the Medical Director and trainees.
• As needed, assist the program director for the MT/MLT or SBB programs to provide lectures or practical training to students.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS include, but are not limited to :

• Demonstrated expertise in immunohematology reference testing.
• Basic knowledge of molecular techniques is preferred.
• Requires the Ability to comprehend the criticality of the testing being performed, as it relates to the blood components being prepared for transfusion or organs being transplanted. Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of the testing reagents, blood components being prepared, and the necessity to follow all regulatory rules and regulations (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and State), including the FDA's "Good Manufacturing Practices".
• Required mental activities include continuous use of interpersonal skills, teamwork, customer service, decision-making, mentoring, problem analysis, independent judgment, and/or independent action, and the Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English. Required mental activities also include the use of discretion, creativity, negotiation, presentations/teaching, training/supervising, and performing basic math (all used frequently), as well as basic computer programming and selling (used rarely).
• Must be able to prioritize activities effectively and to continuously re-prioritize to accommodate tight deadlines and a varying workload; must be able to work effectively under stress.
• Required physical activities include continuous hearing, talking, and handling. Additionally required physical activities include standing, walking, reaching, and repetitive hand/wrist motions (all used frequently); stooping, sitting, bending, kneeling, feeling, and repetitive foot motions (all used occasionally); and climbing (used rarely).

• The Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds and the Ability to push up to 60 pounds are required.
• Significant manual dexterity is required to operate various instruments and to perform the required data entry.
• Must be capable of performing independent work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Functional proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is required.
• Functional proficiency with Visio and MS Project applications is preferred.

Working Conditions:

• This is a highly regulated position and is subject to the rules and regulations of various regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies (FDA, AABB, CLIA, CAP, etc.).
• Telecommuting is an occasional and not permanent condition of this role.
• The position requires extensive computer and close work; occasional heavy lifting; constant standing; overtime; and infrequent evening meetings and weekend work.
• Availability to participate in a scheduled on-call rotation. On-call responsibilities include after-hours availability; timely responses to calls for consultation on workups or work-process/operational issues; and coordination of shift coverage for call-ins outside regular office hours.
• The position may require intermittent work (up to 30 minutes per occasion) in cold rooms (1-6 °C) and walk-in freezers (-35 °C).
• As this is an essential position with direct responsibility to donors and/or patients, the incumbent should be prepared to work extended and/or consecutive shifts, and possibly at a different location, during periods of inclement weather or other emergencies.
• Ability to work on scheduled holidays and weekends, as necessary.
• 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. Also able to participate in retirement plans (401a & 401b), consolidated paid leave program (4.8 - 6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), subsidized transit program, and educational reimbursement. Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus*

*Conditions apply

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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.