Laboratory Section Coordinator - Oregon Health & Science University

Department Overview:

OHSU is proud to be designated a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Just 9 percent of U.S. healthcare organizations hold this designation. We pride ourselves in not only serving our community with the highest of accolades but also pushing a multifaceted mission that strives for excellence within the OHSU Culture.

 

OHSU is hiring! We offer a variety of benefits on top of joining a thriving organization:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at low or no cost to employees
• Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• Several retirement plans to choose from! – Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan and University Pension Plan, voluntary savings plans (403b, 401a and 457b)
• Up to 200 hours (equal to 25 full days) a year of paid time off 
• 96 hours of sick leave a year (prorated by FTE status)
• Commuter subsidies
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
• Annual Raises
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses
• Childcare service discounts
• Growth/Development Opportunities

We want you, apply and work with us today! https://www.ohsu.edu/

 

The position will provide a qualified person to assume day-to-day technical support for the testing performed in the Core Laboratory to Ensure that high quality work is generated for use by physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The incumbent will work closely with the Lab Manager and faculty of the Core Lab to assist with client relations, troubleshooting, and personnel issues. These tasks require the incumbent to use a high degree of technical judgment, have good decision making skills, and be able to work independently with minimal direct supervision. Leadwork responsibilities are included in this position description. In addition to the listed duties, this person must be capable of performing the key responsibilities and performance standards as listed in the Core Laboratory Laboratory Scientist position description. This position has technical responsibilities over blood gas, molecular and microbiology. This position has responsibility for the competency program and provides technical support for other section coordinators. This position will have some technical responsibilities over the CHH-2 location.

Function/Duties of Position:

QUALITY CONTROL (QC) MONITORING AND REVIEW:

• Reviews staff work on a regular basis and provides feedback and technical instruction to the staff where needed for improvement. Keeps lab manager informed of problems.
• Communicates changes to policies and procedures to staff, by email, memos or staff meetings.
• Insures that safety regulations are met. 
• Informs lab manager when safety regulations are not met or new safety issues arise.
• Is pro-active in problem solving and planning for the future needs of the laboratory.
• Responsible for QC review and proficiency testing activities.

TECHNICAL REVIEW AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reviews staff work on a regular basis and provides feedback and technical instruction to the staff where needed for improvement. Keeps lab manager informed of problems.
• Communicates changes to policies and procedures to staff, by email, memos or staff meetings.
• Insures that safety regulations are met. 
• Informs lab manager when safety regulations are not met or new safety issues arise.
• Is pro-active in problem solving and planning for the future needs of the laboratory.

PROCEDURE AND INTRUMENTATION DEVELOPMENT AND MAINT.

• Writes operating, maintenance, calibration and troubleshooting procedures for laboratory tests. Trains employees to perform maintenance, calibration and troubleshooting.  Performs in-depth troubleshooting procedures; determines extent of problems and takes appropriate action to insure work flow and quality of results. 
• Delegates any or all of the above as determined by manager.  
• Calls for technical assistance or emergency instrument repair as needed. 
• Schedules routine maintenance as needed.
• Directs assay development procedures for new assays to meet CLIA regulations.  Organizes and presents completed development data to lab manager for review.
• Performs preliminary instrument evaluations.  
• Assists lab manager on new equipment proposals.

PERSONNEL:

• Adjusts staffing as needed to provide day-to-day coverage and maintain turnaround time commitments.
• Delegates projects. Coordinates and supervises work of assigned projects.
• Directs orientation and training of new employees in the lab. Develops training and evaluation guidelines for new employees. Consults with lab manager and provides feedback regarding performance of new employees.
• Reviews day shift bench assignment schedule with manager. Approves, coordinates, and arranges coverage for leave requests after the schedules are posted, consulting with the lab manager as needed.
• Monitors quality of work performed in the lab by all employees. Insures that policies and procedure are followed. Communicates new policies and procedures to lab employees and insures that required training is completed and documented.
• Plans and/or delegates completion of competency exercises. Reviews results with lab manager and suggests further action if inadequate performance is detected. Assists with retraining and corrective measures as needed. 
• Evaluates employees and gives feedback to lab manager for input into annual performance appraisal process.
• Communicates with hospital personnel regarding new procedures or policies in the Core Lab. Assists hospital and Pathology personnel with problem solving.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other projects as requested by Manager.
• Performs as acting supervisor in lab manager’s absence.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, or training programs as requested by the lab manager for the purpose of  expanding knowledge and skills or to fill in for the lab manager.
• Communicates overall status of the lab to the lab manager on a daily basis.  Keeps lab manager informed of any problems and consults on necessary actions as needed.
• Performs bench work as needed.
• Maintains and finalizes pay reports for employees and submits periodically to manager for review.
• Assists shift lead workers with staffing and technical problems as needed.
• Interacts with other sections of Pathology to design and coordinate implementation of new programs.
• Reports potential compliance problems using the reporting processes as outlined in the Code of Conduct.
• Performs requirements for Staff Members as outlined in Compliance Roles and Responsibilities in OHSU Hospitals and Clinics and understands and complies with the Code of Conduct, OHSU and departmental policies and procedures, and other applicable procedures, rules and regulations.
• Communicates and works effectively as part of a team, and interacts with a variety of clients including doctors, nurses, laboratory staff and patients, maintaining a customer service focus at all times.
• Carries out job responsibilities ethically, professionally, and with personal integrity, and functions as part of the team exhibiting excellent communication, teamwork and customer service skills.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology, or other science.
• Four years of experience in a clinical laboratory performing a variety of standard testing procedures with increasing responsibilities and involvement in complex projects, and certification as MLS(ASCP) or MT(ASCP). 
• Certification must be maintained, and depending on date of training, different continuing education requirements will apply.
• General knowledge of laboratory terminology, equipment, materials and techniques, regulations and safety.
• Skill in handling of laboratory specimens, record keeping and laboratory equipment. 
• Skill in identifying cells and cell morphology.
• Skill in using several different computer systems, including: word processing, dedicated LIS/HIS, etc.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions accurately, and operate and maintain standard laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work independently within established guidelines, to adjust to rapidly changing priorities, and apply problem solving skills.
• Ability to demonstrate performance of job duties to trainees.
• Ability to work in a multi-tasking environment and display technical skills at various work stations throughout the laboratory.
• MT (ASCP) or MLS (ASCP)
• Compliance with Code of Conduct, Respect in the workplace and Applicable policies, procedures and agreements related to position, department or OHSU as a whole
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology.
• Previous lead or supervisory experience.
• One year previous microbiology experience including organism identification and determining suseptabilities.

Additional Details:

Pay Range: $41.09 - $56.44 per hour

• Positions in the laboratory and environs may require working flexible schedules including nights weekends and holidays; working at multiple laboratory or hospital sites; traveling between laboratories and sites by stairs, elevator, tram, shuttle or other means; exposure to blood and body fluids, chemical hazards, radiation; working in a somewhat noisy and crowded environment; wearing gloves and other Personal Protective Equipment for long periods of time; experiencing occasional variations in temperature.
• Positions in laboratory departments require the ability to carry and lift up to 30 lbs.; ability to stand or sit for 4-8 hours depending on the tasks assigned; ability to bend, reach, and carry as required for assigned tasks; ability to utilize simple and complicated laboratory equipment and computers; ability to utilize multi-line phones, pagers, dictation equipment, and office equipment.

All are welcome:Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.