Manager Lab Operations

In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies. 

While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

This job is responsible for the overall operation of the laboratory including technical workflow, campus patient service centers, and off-site locations.  An incumbent coordinates any technical/equipment issues with the Regional Technical Manager to ensure appropriate equipment decisions are met and ensures the standard operating policies and procedures are understood and followed.  The manager determines staffing needs and ensures training programs are comprehensive and complete with expected competency outcomes, and acting as a resource person for the laboratory staff by providing adequate training, continuing education updates and self-enhancement opportunities.  Also responsible for staff interviews, selection, performance evaluation, growth planning, discipline to include terminations.  

An incumbent works in concert with Human Resources to achieve desired staff performance levels while maintaining the core value standards.   Participates in cost effective monitoring of supply use, labor overtime use as part of the annual budget process.  Participates on appropriate interdisciplinary teams at the hospital representing laboratory services with an emphasis on sample collection, processing and test reporting.

This job is responsible for the overall operation of the laboratory including technical workflow, campus patient service centers, and off-site locations.  An incumbent coordinates any technical/equipment issues with the Regional Technical Manager to ensure appropriate equipment decisions are met and ensures the standard operating policies and procedures are understood and followed.  The manager determines staffing needs and ensures training programs are comprehensive and complete with expected competency outcomes, and acting as a resource person for the laboratory staff by providing adequate training, continuing education updates and self-enhancement opportunities.  Also responsible for staff interviews, selection, performance evaluation, growth planning, discipline to include terminations.  

An incumbent works in concert with Human Resources to achieve desired staff performance levels while maintaining the core value standards.   Participates in cost effective monitoring of supply use, labor overtime use as part of the annual budget process.  Participates on appropriate interdisciplinary teams at the hospital representing laboratory services with an emphasis on sample collection, processing and test reporting.

Essential Job Functions

The following section contains representative examples of job duties that might be performed in positions allocated to this job class.  FHS is a dynamic organization, and the environment can be fluid.  Roles and responsibilities may be altered to accommodate changing business conditions and objectives as well as to tap into the skills and experience of its employees.  Accordingly, employees may be asked to perform duties that are outside the specific work that is listed.  It is not required that any position perform all duties listed, so long as primary responsibilities are consistent with the work as described.  Performance standards developed for incumbents allocated to this job class may also contain relevant job content information and are referenced hereto.

Operations:

• Manages and evaluates the operations, programs and resources of the assigned clinical area/facility to assure the safe and appropriate delivery of diagnostic and/or therapeutic patient care, achievement of clinical core measurement scores, and to ensure that all activities are conducted in a timely and cost-effective manner and in compliance with organizational values, professional standards, collective bargaining agreements, internal policies/standards/procedures and applicable regulatory requirements; participates in the development of, and implements new clinical systems/programs to enhance existing services and raise the standard of care for the patient population served; ensures that work unit activities, productivity, and/or quality indicators are documented in accordance with FHS guidelines; produces and presents reports on key performance indicators and other significant benchmarking metrics; collaborates with other departments to address and resolve problems, share information and enhance overall effectiveness/productivity.

Staff Management and Development:

• Plans, manages and evaluates the work of clinical staff providing laboratory testing services in accordance with the content, spirit and intent of applicable internal/external regulations and standards for human resource management; identifies adequate staffing levels for appropriate coverage to meet budgetary and operational objectives; ensures that employees are qualified and properly trained to perform assigned job duties; holds regular staff meetings and keeps employees appraised of all matters relevant to successful job performance; makes employment decisions, establishes performance standards, assesses clinical competency and evaluates employee performance; educates, guides, counsels and develops staff and addresses performance management concerns and technical issues elevated by subordinates as beyond their scope of authority.  

Performance/Quality Improvement:

• Works with management team to ensure the application of consistent practices relating to internal operations, patient care, quality of human resources activities and FHS standards; assesses the strengths/weaknesses of the assigned clinical area/facility to identify opportunities and provide recommendations to Director for new quality/performance improvement initiatives; implements new processes and ensures that performance improvement activities are conducted in a timely and effective manner; ensures that staff receive the necessary on-site training and consultation to enhance their understanding of quality/performance improvement initiatives.  

Procedures Development/Implementation:

• Recommends, implements and evaluates new/revised procedures, guidelines, training materials and/or general communications in support of assigned clinical area/facility to ensure consistency with the philosophy/values of the organization and compliance with applicable regulatory/accreditation requirements; reviews training materials prior to assimilation into training curricula; ensures that all clinical and related support activities are fully documented in accordance with the standards and practices of the organization; ensures that employees understand and apply internal guidelines appropriately, and monitors compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensures that all aspects of clinical operations are conducted and documented in compliance with relevant internal policies, standards and procedures and applicable regulatory requirements; assesses, on a continuous basis, services, patient outcomes, quality control, family/patient satisfaction, staffing needs and operational effectiveness to ensure optimal care delivery; ensures that internal controls are sufficient to provide for accurate, complete and compliant programs and processes; identifies need for changes in standards, programs and services, and develops recommendations for consideration by the Director. 
• Keeps abreast of changing regulatory requirements/regulation, clinical/professional standards, changing customer demographics and competitive industry practices impacting assigned functions, as well as organizational initiatives/changes with potential to impact current strategies, programs and resources; determines nature/scope of impact on existing activities and determines effective response/solution while maintaining acceptable service levels and work quality. 

Short- and Long-Term Planning:

• Participates, as a key member of the management team for the assigned clinical function, in the development of strategies, initiatives and programs addressing matters such as: provision of new services, standardization of procedures across the organization, increasing market share, maximizing resources, cross-selling services, improving cost-effectiveness of clinical services provided, enhancing patient outcomes/satisfaction and other issues of similar complexity and consequence.  

Budget Administration:

• Identifies resources needed to accomplish the performance objectives of the assigned clinical area/facility and participates in the development of the annual operating/capital budget for the overall clinical function; exercises effective cost control by monitoring and adjusting expenses as needed to stay within budget; approves expenditures within defined scope of responsibility; identifies negative variances and develops action plans to document, address and effectively resolve in a timely manner; produces complete and accurate financial, budget, activity and productivity information, including variance reports, financial projections and other statistical reports; keeps Director apprised of all issues with potential for budgetary impact.  

Business Development/Marketing:

• Plans and leads efforts to increase referral base and expand market share in the assigned region; proactively identifies the most promising opportunities for increasing market share; pursues meetings with physicians or other referral resources to explain and promote FHS culture, goals, resources and services; keeps abreast of FHS and competitor trends relative to applicable clinical programs, services and volume; participates in community awareness activities to promote clinical programs/services.

Performs related duties as required.

Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree in an approved Medical Technology program with completion of a one (1) year internship in a Clinical laboratory setting, OR

A Bachelor’s degree in a related science field with two (2) years experience in a Clinical Laboratory setting that would demonstrate attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities, or equivalent college level courses and experience.  

Requires a minimum of six years in a Clinical Laboratory setting that would demonstrate attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities, including 1-2 years in a supervisory or management capacity.

Licensure/Certification

MT (ASCP), CLS (NCA), HHS, or equivalent required.

Ten (10) or more years of clinical laboratory experience along with ASCP or NCA registry eligibility may be substituted for licensure/registry.