Supervisor Lab Services

At Houston Methodist, the Supervisor Laboratory Services position is responsible for the oversight of daily laboratory services operations in an efficient and effective manner meeting the needs of patients and attending clinical staff. This position provides leadership, guidance and direction to staff and maintains accountability for the laboratory's performance and results. The Supervisor Laboratory Services is responsible for contributing to quality, functional excellence and assisting in the implementation of initiatives to meet strategic and operational objectives. This position also fulfills the duties of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) General Supervisor when required.

The supervisor position responsibilities include overseeing the daily work activities of the work unit/department staff, ensuring quality, productivity, functional excellence and efficiency. This position trains and supervises staff while maintaining adequate staffing levels and budget compliance. The supervisor position contributes to staffing decisions such as hiring, coaching and counseling employees on work related performance. This position assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective work environment. Other duties for the supervisor position include participating in performance improvement activities, as well as providing support for department management to achieve operational goals. This position may also perform staff duties and responsibilities as needed. FLSA STATUS

Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution

EXPERIENCE

• Four years of experience in a clinical laboratory, of which one year must have been in lead role; for internal employees, four years of experience in a clinical laboratory with HM performance that demonstrates leadership responsibility

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Must have one of the following required certifications:
  • Certified as a Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Histotechnologist (HTL), Histotechnician (HT) certification or categorical certification by Board of Certification (ASCP)
  • Certified as a Medical Technologist by American Medical Technologists (AMT)
  • Certified as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist by National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA)
  • Clinical microbiology registry from American Society for Microbiology, RM(AAM)
  • Certified Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) by the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI)
  • Equivalent certification to the above based on educational requirements and examination

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate through a variety of channels with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles; engages the recipient(s) and helps them understand and retain the message
• Demonstrates the ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
• Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative, effective interpersonal skills, and oral/written communication skills
• Ability to identify and understand issues, problems and opportunities; and recommend solutions
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace
• In depth knowledge of laboratory techniques, operations and procedures
• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital/Laboratory Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees in the department. Provides development and mentoring of staff. Ensures that all department staff are properly trained and comply with all policies and procedures. Assists with meeting or exceeding threshold goal for department turnover.
• Consults with department leadership on coaching/corrective counseling and staff performance to achieve desired outcomes. Conducts new hire feedback sessions and provides recognition/commendations, as appropriate.
• Creates and maintains an environment of collaboration by role modeling teamwork within the department. Effectively interacts within and between departments ensuring seamless flow of information/communication. Role models clear and professional communication to facilitate problem resolution to achieve mutual understanding. Teaches others to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and follows up consistently.
• Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.
• Makes and executes decisions within delegated authority. Communicates issues as appropriate. Participates in resolving issues outside of normal scope as appropriate.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversees daily department operations, schedule and activities. Sets priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.
• Organizes the workflow, proactively problem solves, anticipates needs, and manages multiple ongoing priorities. Provides reports to management of needs, issues to be addressed, and all important information necessary to ensure department success. Serves and actively participates on various committees as directed.
• Oversees implementation of new procedures.
• Manages escalated physician/customer complaints.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures a safe and effective working environment; assists in monitoring and/or revising the department safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory agency required safety guidelines.
• Uses and optimizes information systems to enhance operations; participates in performance improvement and data management/analysis functions as directed.
• Employs a proactive approach in the optimization of positive outcomes by monitoring and improving the department workflow, supporting peer-to-peer accountability, and identifying solutions via collaboration. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety. Participates in investigations as a result of the root cause analysis process as assigned by manager.
• Monitors self and ensures employee compliance with policies, procedures, and System HR Standards of Practice and performs associated actions upon non-compliance (i.e., focal point review requirements, disaster plan, inservices, influenza immunization, wage and hour, standard hours, timely termination submission, timely timecard approval, etc.).
• Ensures that the laboratory meets quality standards of accreditation and regulatory agencies and that business practices comply with federal and state law. Reviews monthly reports and addresses variances.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in the management of essential and non-essential department expenditures to achieve financial target through optimization of productivity, supply/resource efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime and overtime percentage, and other areas according to department specifications.
• Manages staffing needs including scheduling, time off requests and time keeping.
• Assists in the development of capital and operational budgets.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implements change, demonstrating the ability to motivate employees and follow through to ensure change in behavior has actually occurred. Supports Houston Methodist and department goals and vision. Identifies industry trends and implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department operations.
• Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving competencies, performance and outcomes. Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging staff/team members in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. Conducts conversations with staff on their development and My Development Plan (MDP).
• Seeks opportunities to identify self developmental needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates MDP on an on-going basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE
• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**

**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Work Shift:

Job Category:

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.