Lab Section Head

Summary

Located in Franklin, Tennessee, Williamson Health is one of the South's most exceptional health care systems with a 203 bed hospital (Williamson Medical Center), over 40 providers at our Williamson Health Medical Group locations, the Bone & Joint Institute and the Monroe Carell Junior Children's Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center. Williamson Health offers comprehensive in-patient and out-patient services. We have more than 825 providers representing over 70 medical specialties and sub-specialties.

Williamson Health is a system where your talents will be valued and your skillset expanded. We are rooted in our promise to world-class, compassionate care for the residents of Williamson County and surrounding communities, taking exceptional pride in serving our community. We're committed to empowering our employees to work in innovative ways and reserve time and space for curiosity, laughter and creativity. We value and support the diversity and cultural differences among one another and are committed to upholding an inclusive environment that appreciates the uniqueness of all individuals. Our values are at the heart of everything we do: respect for every individual, the health and total well-being of all people, human compassion and integrity. These shape who we are as an organization and are essential for delivering the highest level of culturally competent care and treatment of every patient, family member, visitor, physician and employee.

Williamson Health is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits program, that offers you choice and flexibility, so you can take charge of your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.
o Medical, Dental, Vision
o PTO
o Retirement Matching
o Tuition reimbursement
o Discount programs
o FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts)
o Identity Theft Protection
o Legal Aid

Williamson Health is an equal-opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.

POSITION SUMMARY

A Laboratory Section Head is responsible for managing a specific laboratory department and conducting laboratory tests which provide information to physicians for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of diseases in patients.

Essential Functions:

• Promotes the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Exhibits and adheres to Williamson Health's Standards of Performance in all areas of job duties and responsibilities.
• Participates in hospital initiatives and in departmental goals set by the Laboratory Director and staff.
• Interacts professionally with laboratory management, laboratory personnel, physicians, hospital personnel, patients and customers to provide optimal patient care.
• Works well with other laboratory employees to maintain an environment of teamwork.
• Exercises all laboratory safety precautions and adheres OSHA and TOSHA safety regulations
• Positively identifies patients, labels specimens and enters results using two unique identifiers. Maintains working knowledge of laboratory policies and procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge and adheres to hospital policies and state, federal and other regulatory requirements
• Responds appropriately to tests with a priority of STAT, call results or timed specimens
• Performs high-complexity testing
• Notifies nursing and/or physician of critical lab values with complete documentation on report
• Responsible for instrument calibrations, maintenance and troubleshooting problems.
• Performs quality control as outlined by departmental procedures.
• Reviews pending and outstanding reports and resolves outstanding specimens
• Cultivates a teamwork environment among staff that is patient-oriented and focuses on providing accurate laboratory results within an acceptable turnaround time.
• Manages the operations of the assigned department(s) which includes: new employee/student training, on-going education, competency, process improvement, writing/updating procedures, new testing validations, inventory, quality control, proficiency testing and patient testing. Responsible for adherence to all regulatory requirements including compliance regulations.
• Works with other section heads and lab assistants to maintain proper staffing and effective operations.
• Interacts with nursing and physicians and provides timely communication regarding laboratory issues.
• Other duties as needed/assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Formal Education / Training:

1. BS degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science or equivalent
2. Valid State of Tennessee Medical Technologist license
3. State of Tennessee Supervisor's license (must obtain within a year)

Workplace Experience:
Four years laboratory experience (minimum)

Management experience preferred

Meditech experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of medical laboratory science

Strong organizational skills and interpersonal skills

Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations

Ability to work independently, be attentive to detail and maintain a positive attitude

Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work

Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial and legal information

Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner

Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner

Strong computer skills

Physical and Environment Requirements:

Exposure to blood and body fluids, infectious and contagious diseases, chemicals.

Ability to communicate in English verbally and in writing.

Ability to perform multi-functional tasks.

Ability to read computer screen, distinguish color, hear phone and conduct interpersonal communications

Ability to learn, reason and perform mathematical calculations related to job.

Ability to use critical thinking skills.

Requires light to moderate work with 40 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry.

Manual dexterity and mobility in both hands; exposed to repetitive motion.

Frequent reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.

Requires prolonged standing and walking

Flexibility to shift schedule, work extra hours or overtime as needed by staffing deficits or high patient volumes

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

1 Works well with Management:

• Communicates potential issues

• Follows through on work assignments

• Communicates opportunities for improvement in a positive way

• Keeps confidentiality

• Follows through on all lead tech duties

• Accepts reassignments as needed

2 Manages efficient department:

• Maintains accountability for financial budget

• Makes good use of time

• Keeps procedures current and up-to-date

• Procedures reflect NCCLS requirements and actual practice

• Keeps STAT reagent orders to a minimum

• Reads email and communication logs during each workday.

3 Orients new employees and students:

• Orientation conducted in timely manner

• Paperwork complete and turned in

• Training time used efficiently; unproductive time kept to a minimum

• Evaluations/competency done on time

4 Positively identifies patients and specimens

• 0 ID errors = EE

• 1 ID error = MS

• > 1 ID errors = BS

5 Corrected reports that could affect outcome of patient kept to a minimum

0 EE

1 - 2 MS

>2 BS

6 Technical errors kept to a minimum (procedure not followed correctly - may affect patient care)

0 EE

1 - 2 MS

>2 BS

7 Follows laboratory policies and procedures regarding:

• Testing

• Quality Control

• Maintenance and troubleshooting

8 Turn Around Time within acceptable time criteria for ER patients. Average time from Collected to Resulted:

•
• 20 - 30 minutes MS

• >30 minutes BS

9 Follows Hospital and Laboratory Policies on the use of Electronic Devices:

• Cell phones kept on vibrate

• Phones/Electronic/Headphones devices used during break/meal times only

• Does not use personal phones in patient care areas

• Uses the hospital internet for work purposes only

10 Adheres to Williamson Health Lab Attendance policy

• Tardies/Absences kept to a minimum

• Rarely misses time punches in API

• Submits requests for PTO within policy guidelines

• Does not take extended lunches

• Takes appropriate breaks as dictated by workload

11 Turns in accurate, meaningful audits

• Turned in by 10th of the month

• Audits are organized and legible

• Data is pertinent and accurate

• Feedback (including PI) is handled in a timely manner

• Audits that show unacceptable practice are addressed, and an improvement plan is implemented and given to director

12 Serves as a mentor/coach to staff:

• Treats all employees equally and with respect and dignity

• Encourages and fosters an environment of teamwork

• Constructive feedback given to employees/used as educational tool

• Coaches in a positive manner

• Reads e-mail and communication logs during each work day.