Laboratory Supervisor/Off-Shift Evenings & NIghts - South Shore Health

Job Description Summary

The Off Shift Supervisor reports to the Core Laboratory Manager for Clinical Pathology and in conjunction with the Executive Director of Laboratory Services. Works in accordance with established policies, standards and testing procedures, is responsible for successful operation of laboratory on evening and night shifts.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Will supervise all work performed on the off-shifts (2nd & 3rd).  This will include, but is not limited to, the review of test results reported, organizing work flow, assigning and prioritizing work as needed. 

a. Reviews daily work by observation and workload/management reports (pending, un-received, outstanding specimen reports, shift reports) and all related department communications as they apply to the evening and night shift on a daily basis.

b. Organizes work flow to assure appropriate test result turnaround time with available staff.

c. Prioritizes work load to meet work load demands.

2. Performs all duties of Medical Technologist/Technician and will troubleshoot instrumentation and procedures in the effort to maintain an efficient work flow.

a. Will perform testing of specimens when work load of shift requires.

b. Will effectively troubleshoot equipment and/or procedures when problems occur and document action steps taken as per written guidelines and procedures.

3. Will schedule work assignments and plan work schedules of employees to maintain consistent and adequate coverage of the laboratory.

a. Will prepare and post electronic copy of the master schedule for evening and night shifts 6 weeks in advance.

b. Will prepare and post any available open shifts to the consolidated list 1 month prior to the open shift.

c. Section schedules prepared and posted weekly - 30 days in advance.

d. Section daily assignments schedule prepared and posted weekly - 7 days in advance.

e. Arranges for adequate coverage for sick & vacation time coverage.

f. Approves use of all scheduled time off.

g. Will adjust work schedules/assignments when required to maintain adequate coverage and to assure staff maintain their competencies in all assigned work areas of the laboratory.

4. Will orient new employees when hired and will train all employees if new procedures, instruments or methods are established.

a. Will document competency annually of all staff within the section.

b. Orients new employees on the evening and night shift of procedures and guidelines used on shift.

c. Trains/re-trains existing employees on new procedures, instrumentation or methodologies when required.

d. Trains staff with non-routine activities.

5. Will maintain records and documentation in compliance with required rules and regulations of all licensing and accrediting agencies and organizations.

a. Will document and maintain records required such as QC, preventative maintenance, or Performance Improvement when performed.

b. Investigates operational problems & performs timely and thorough follow up.

c. Enters Quantros occurrence reports for incidents (Safety, Patient Safety, Compliance, etc.). Provides detailed information on the occurrence.

d. Responds to assigned occurrence reports.  Provides timely and thorough follow-up to assigned occurrence reports.

6. Supervises employees as assigned on the evening and night shift and assumes complete on-call responsibility for entire laboratory on rotating weekends, holidays and when needed.

a. Assumes complete responsibility for evening and night shifts of the Laboratory on holidays as scheduled.

b. Assumes night call responsibilities as needed.

7. Is responsible for evening/night shift’s operational excellence; assures department delivers quality services in accordance with applicable policies, procedures and professional standards.

a. Manages all activities so that quality services are provided in an efficient and effective manner, as observed by Manager.

b. Services provided meet all applicable regulatory requirements.

c. Identifies opportunities to improve service as evidenced by review of the departmental Quality/Performance indicators and responsiveness to request from patients, physicians and other clients using South Shore Hospital Laboratory Services.

d. Directs evening and night shift activities in a manner consistent with organization-wide programs and procedures.

e. Oversees staff compliance with department policies & procedures.

f. Maintains complete, current documentation relating to these policies & procedures.

8. Manages human resources to assure quality services and promote positive employee relations.

a. Consistently and fairly implements human resources policies.

b. Maintains effective and appropriate staffing by monitoring employee turnover, overtime and absenteeism.

c. Employee performance appraisals are completed thoroughly and submitted on time.

d. Consistently follows Human Resources policies to implement progressive discipline, when necessary.

e. Collaborates with human resources on the recruitment and selection of qualified employment candidates, following all policies, guidelines and applicable laws.

f. Develops performance goals/objectives with each staff member to promote maximum productivity, proficiency and professional growth, as evidenced by written goals on performance appraisals.

g. Provides support, and collaboration with section technical supervisors, necessary to assure successful completion of all orientation/training activities & the effective transition from trainee to a permanent, productive, competent member of the technical staff.

h. Is responsible for assessing annual competence of all off-shift employees.  Collaborates with day shift supervisors in developing and administering annual competencies to be assessed.

i. Is recognized as a positive role model.

9. Assists in the fiscal management of department; assures proper utilization of organization’s financial resources.

a. Effectively utilizes resources within established budget; notifies Manager of all variances anticipated, or occurred, to maintain department services.

b. Adheres to procedures regarding acquisition of, and payment for, goods and services, as evidenced by appropriate and timely processing requisitions and invoices, as appropriate.

c. Recommends way to reduce expenditures and/or enhance revenues without compromising quality of services.

10. Effectively communicates departmental, organization and industry information to staff.

a. Attends organization’s informational meetings, as assigned, as evidenced by attendance sheets.

b. Gathers, interprets, and delivers information to staff in a timely fashion.

c. Communicates information to the staff on a regular basis - minimum monthly staff meeting with minutes distributed via e-mail.

d. Provides timely feedback on changes to operations, patient/physician complaints to staff, peers, Manager and/or Laboratory Director, as appropriate.

e. Assures staff understands information as evidenced by staff compliance with, and participation in, hospital programs, seminars, training and related activities.

f. Communication with staff is effective, resolving conflicts which may affect staff relations and productivity, as observed by Manager.

g. Uses hospital communications resources to inform internal and external audiences of departmental news/achievements/policies.

11. Attains all agreed to goals and objectives within specified time frames, as part of the organization’s overall mission.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Other duties as required.

2. Will evaluate work performance and recommend promotion, demotion, transfers and other personnel actions, including disciplinary actions and suspensions.

3. Reviews and completes performance evaluation of staff after 90-day introduction period.

4. Reviews and completes performance evaluation of staff annually.

5. Counsels, verbally and in writing, employees as need arises.

6. Will maintain and update technical knowledge and skills and participate in the ongoing sharing of this knowledge with the staff.

7. Will attend appropriate seminars or work shops for technical development as approved by Manager

8. Will collaborate with the other supervisors, Manger, the Director and pathologists in the implementation of new and existing laboratory procedures and protocol.

9. Interacts with others to implement new procedures and protocols.

10. Interacts with others to implement existing procedures and protocols.

11. Informs Manager of current events in laboratory on a bi- weekly basis at regularly scheduled meetings.

12. Performs work of equal skill and responsibility as directed.  May also perform work of higher level in preparation for increased responsibility and may be requested to perform work of lesser responsibility when work load of department so requires.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education - Preferred

Baccalaureate Degree in relevant science such as Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry, with Medical Technologist certification (ASCP or equivalent) preferred.  MLT (ASCP) with previous supervisory/generalist experience may be considered.

Minimum Work Experience

Minimum of five (5) years laboratory experience and one (1) year supervisory experience preferred.

Required Certifications

MT (ASCP) or MT Eligible (ASCP Equivalent) or MLT (ASCP) or MLT Eligible (ASCP Equivalent) -  Medical Laboratory Technologist or Medical Laboratory Technician

Required additional Knowledge, and Abilities

Current technical competence in Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, and Basic Microbiology testing.  Previous supervisory experience preferred.  Excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal and management skills required.