Laboratory Specialist III, Pathology

Job Summary

In addition to the responsibilities listed below, this position is also responsible for performing high complexity tests in pathology independently to provide data for use in treatment and diagnosis of disease; receiving and grossing tissue samples; may assist in Mohs surgeries; preparing bodies for autopsies and supporting autopsy procedures as appropriate; applying procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, and maintaining records of patient test results; reporting and implementing solutions to problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results; interpreting lab findings with regard to type and quality of specimen and in context of available clinical information and other laboratory data; and beginning to review testing processes to assure final results are valid and accurate; supporting pre-analytical processes to ensure timely and appropriate patient care; operating lab equipment independently with minimal supervision; resolving standard issues that may arise during testing processes, escalating when necessary; troubleshooting equipment issues that arise when running tests with limited guidance; developing an understanding of techniques used in Pathology; compiling and preparing data and information for routine statistical reports and studies; mastering the existing methods, advances, and trends through periodicals, meetings and seminars; and closely following routine methodology and safety practices.

Essential Responsibilities

• Pursues effective relationships with others by proactively providing resources, information, advice, and expertise with coworkers and members. Listens to, seeks, and addresses performance feedback; provides mentoring to team members. Pursues self-development; creates plans and takes action to capitalize on strengths and develop weaknesses; influences others through technical explanations and examples. Adapts to and learns from change, challenges, and feedback; demonstrates flexibility in approaches to work; helps others adapt to new tasks and processes. Supports and responds to the needs of others to support a business outcome.
• Completes work assignments autonomously by applying up-to-date expertise in subject area to generate creative solutions; ensures all procedures and policies are followed; leverages an understanding of data and resources to support projects or initiatives. Collaborates cross-functionally to solve business problems; escalates issues or risks as appropriate; communicates progress and information. Supports, identifies, and monitors priorities, deadlines, and expectations. Identifies, speaks up, and implements ways to address improvement opportunities for team.
• Maintains testing and training standards by refining technical and/or non-technical training materials as needed for accuracy and relevancy; and communicating training needs and participating in regular, in-service, and competency training.
• Maintains compliance and accreditation by executing policies and work instructions in alignment with applicable regulations, license requirements, accreditation standards, and inspection checklists pertaining to laboratories and facilities where testing is performed; verifying adherence to all requirements related to the recruitment, processing, testing, storage, and distribution of materials and samples; contributing to accreditation inspection processes, including communication with inspectors, lab supervisors, and managers; executing the license renewal process; and updating technical and/or non-technical documentation with minimal guidance.
• Serves as a link between medical laboratory services and other services by developing deep awareness of regulatory/accreditation changes and issues, inspection citations, current events, and trends relevant to services, quality, and training; assisting cross-functional teams to proactively evaluate and improve technical and/or non-technical quality management systems; with guidance, networking and collaborating across internal teams locally to coordinate and align lab operations, quality, and utilization;and following local and national standards and regulations, and using technology and initiatives.
• Maintains medical laboratory operations and improves processes by leveraging understanding of efficient operations, quality, service, patient safety, member/customer satisfaction, and cost effectiveness through evaluation and standardization of technical and/or non-technical services and processes; implementing work plan processes to improve systems across the continuum of care; applying new testing methodologies, processes, and technology that have the potential to improve service, quality, and/or efficiency; resolving routine and non-routine laboratory and patient/member problems; contributing to teamwork and a progressive work environment; performing day-to-day laboratory operations; utilizing inventory and maintenance systems, monitoring supplies inventory, and recording usage and costs; and providing ongoing technical and/or non-technical project management and status reports.
• Coordinates service quality by following applicable policies and procedures for audit and process improvement projects; applying standard strategies when conducting internal audit processes to verify quality of technical and/or non-technical processes; responding to deviations from expected quality control results; executing tests and verifying results before sharing; collecting, preparing, and running specimens, ensuring they are processed according to established time and quality standards; participating in proficiency testing processes; and assisting with the resolution of standard and nonstandard workflow concerns/problems.