Laboratory Supervisor (MHO)

Laboratory Supervisor Provides day-to-day technical and operational oversight for assigned laboratory section(s) and shift(s), including testing, personnel support, quality systems, instrumentation, and laboratory information system processes. Ensures laboratory services are accurate, timely, safe, and performed in accordance with approved policies, procedures, quality standards, and applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements. Performs bench testing as needed and carries out delegated CLIA responsibilities only when qualified and formally assigned.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates daily workflow, staffing assignments, schedules, and work priorities for assigned areas; adjusts resources in response to workload, absences, service needs, and operational conditions.
• Oversees daily laboratory operations in all assigned departments in the absence of the laboratory manager/director.
• Responsible for timecard approval, PTO requests, and other personnel requests, when applicable.
• Provides accessible technical consultation to testing personnel; troubleshoots testing, instrument, specimen, and information system issues and escalates significant or unresolved concerns.
• Performs and reports patient testing within documented training, competency, and regulatory authorization when operationally needed.
• Monitors pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic processes to support accurate, complete, and timely results and the integrity of the patient record.
• Reviews abnormal, critical, inconsistent, or otherwise referred results and ensures required notification, documentation, follow-up, and escalation occur according to policy.
• Ensures patient results are not reported when a test system is out of control or otherwise unreliable and that required corrective action is completed and documented before reporting resumes.
• Establishes, implements, or monitors quality control and quality assurance activities appropriate to assigned testing; evaluates trends and performance indicators and initiates corrective and preventive action.
• Supports enrollment and participation in approved proficiency testing programs and ensures proficiency samples are handled, tested, reviewed, and documented in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Plans and oversees calibration, verification, function checks, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, service, and related documentation for laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Evaluates and recommends test methods, instruments, equipment, reagents, and processes based on clinical need, quality, workflow, compatibility, and cost; implements approved changes and verifies or validates performance as required.
• Maintains current, approved procedures and technical documentation for assigned testing and ensures staff have access to and follow applicable instructions.
• Identifies training needs; provides or coordinates orientation, in-service education, and continuing technical development appropriate to the type and complexity of testing performed.
• Evaluates and documents testing personnel competency when assigned and qualified, using required assessment methods and frequencies; reports deficiencies and coordinates retraining, remediation, and reassessment.
• Assists laboratory leadership with interviewing, onboarding, coaching, and performance feedback; communicates expectations and recommends corrective action when appropriate. Formal personnel actions remain with authorized leadership.
• Supports the laboratory information system and related applications, including workflow design, testing, implementation, issue resolution, and data integrity.
• Analyzes operational, quality, and statistical data; identifies trends, communicates findings, and leads or participates in performance improvement initiatives.
• Ensures assigned activities comply with CLIA, OSHA, applicable federal and state requirements, accreditation standards, and organizational policies; participates in inspections, audits, and corrective action plans.
• Promotes safe work practices, infection prevention, chemical hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment, and appropriate handling and disposal of specimens and hazardous materials.
• Investigates and reports incidents involving patients, associates, visitors, clients, specimens, results, equipment, or laboratory operations in accordance with policy.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with laboratory staff, providers, nursing, patients, clients, vendors, and other partners; addresses conflict constructively and communicates clearly and respectfully.
• Interprets and supports organizational and department policies, procedures, protocols, and applicable collective bargaining requirements.
• Participates in departmental meetings, required education, committees, special projects, and other assignments as directed.

Regulatory Role and Scope:

When designated in writing and qualified for the applicable specialty or subspecialty, the Lab Technical Specialist may perform responsibilities of a Technical Consultant for moderate-complexity testing under 42 CFR 493.1411 and 493.1413, a General Supervisor for high-complexity testing under 42 CFR 493.1461 and 493.1463, and/or other delegated technical oversight responsibilities permitted by CLIA. Assignment does not by itself establish qualification; education, training, experience, licensure, specialty requirements, and grandfathering provisions must be verified for each designated role.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR), and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or chemical, biological, or related laboratory science from an accredited institution; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Meets applicable CLIA personnel qualifications for the testing performed and for any delegated General Supervisor, Technical Consultant, or other regulatory role.
• At least four years of related clinical laboratory experience, including experience in the assigned specialty or subspecialty and complexity of testing.
• Maintains all licenses, certifications, education, training, and competency documentation required by law, accreditation standards, organizational policy, and assigned testing.
• Medical Laboratory Technician certification from ASCP Board of Certification or another organization accepted by the employer is required at hire or within one year of hire or graduation, unless a different timeframe is approved by Human Resources and Laboratory Leadership. Medical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology certification preferred. Certification must be maintained thereafter. Failure to obtain or maintain certification within the required timeframe may result in corrective action or reclassification per organizational policy.
• Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCP), is preferred for assignments with primary blood bank or transfusion service responsibility.
• Prior lead or supervisory experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of clinical laboratory principles, procedures, test systems, quality practices, and factors affecting test performance and results.
• Working knowledge of CLIA, OSHA, applicable state and federal requirements, accreditation standards, and laboratory safety practices.
• Skill in quality control evaluation, method verification or validation, instrument operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, problem solving, and corrective action.
• Proficiency with laboratory information systems, electronic health records, computer applications, and data analysis tools.
• Ability to organize complex work, establish priorities, coordinate resources, and maintain accuracy and timeliness in a fast-paced environment.
• Leadership, coaching, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and sound judgment, including recognition of when escalation is required.
• Effective verbal and written communication and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse clinical, operational, and technical partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with patient privacy and information security requirements.

Working Conditions:

• Works in a clinical laboratory environment with potential exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, human specimens, hazardous chemicals, biological materials, and other conditions typical of laboratory operations.
• Requires use of personal protective equipment and consistent compliance with established safety, infection prevention, chemical hygiene, and hazardous waste procedures.
• May require varied shifts, weekends, holidays, on-call coverage, or work across assigned laboratory areas based on operational needs.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; sit, reach, bend, and perform repetitive tasks; and use hands and fingers for precise manipulation and eye-hand coordination.
• Ability to communicate clearly and use near and far visual acuity, depth perception, and color discrimination as required for assigned testing, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, and to comply with safe-handling practices.