Albany Medical Center

Key Responsibilities

• • Oversee the development of clinical chemistry strategic plan consistent with that of the organization.
• • Participate in interdisciplinary teams to assess overall systems integration issues.
• • Assist the System Administrative Director and Supervisor(s) in developing and continually assessing an annual operating budget and long-term capital expenditure plan.
• • Develop a knowledge base in current emerging scientific disciplines and technologies.
• • Provide direct leadership in the development of laboratory policies and procedures that support and ensure compliance with all applicable service, hospital and center policies and procedures.
• • Encourages the participation of personnel in shaping the laboratory's vision and values.
• • Oversee the implementation of control systems to ensure quality results.
• • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.
• • Participate in the preparation and follow-up for on-site inspections/surveys by accrediting and regulatory agencies.
• • Have knowledge of feedback systems for laboratory performance. Act on concerns to improve/change laboratory service.
• • Use aggregate laboratory data to evaluate possibilities for improving laboratory practice.
• • Successfully negotiate contract terms for instrumentation used throughout the laboratory.
• • Responsible for determining space and resource requirements. Communicates these needs to the System Administrative Director with the help of the Supervisor(s) and follows through to meet these standards.
• • Ensure that processes for identifying and correcting sentinel events are in place.
• • Direct the clinical chemistry proficiency testing program to ensure enrollment, testing, timely results, review, and corrective actions.
• • Establish verification and documentation procedures to determine the accuracy, precision, and other pertinent performance characteristics of testing methods.
• • Ensure remedial actions are taken and documented for significant deviations and patient test results are reported only when the system is functioning properly.
• • Authorize culture workup when beyond the scope of the SOP.
• • Determine when a test can and should be automated or eliminated or a new technology implemented. Prepare and present the business plan to ensure implementation of cost-effective changes.
• • Ensure all information on the patient report is accurate and contains pertinent information needed for interpretation.
• • Provide onsite, telephone, or electronic consultation for overall laboratory operations. Coordinate interaction of medical staff and clinical chemistry technical staff.
• • Oversee development and/or maintain current job descriptions specifying responsibilities and duties for pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic testing.
• • Identify which examinations/procedures each individual is authorized to perform, supervision requirements, and review requirements prior to reporting patient test results.
• • Constructively communicate with staff and laboratory supervisor(s) to set a climate for positive motivation and effectively resolve staff conflicts and performance issues.
• • Administer the clinical chemistry quality assurance program, and participate in the Laboratory Service Quality Improvement Team.
• • Evaluate customer satisfaction with laboratory services and use data to make decisions for laboratory process improvement activities.
• • Develop leaders at every level who help fulfill the laboratory's mission, vision, and values.
• • Advance understanding and consensus through a wide variety of presentation skills.
• • Serve as a mentor in technical and administrative procedures for the supervisor(s).
• • Actively participate in educational programs by providing in-services and/or lectures for team members, students, and residents.
• • Encourage team members development at all levels.
• • Maintain qualifications in clinical chemistry and pursue current trends in new technology through professional meetings and continuing education.
• • Provide consultation and interpretation of chemistry data for health care providers. Counsel and advise physicians/providers regarding test ordering patterns.
• • Assist clinicians in the interpretation of abnormal results and selection of appropriate follow-up testing.
• • Serve as a member of various hospital committees including the clinical laboratory utilization committee.
• • Serve as a resource in the resolution of healthcare system-wide issues.
• • Maintain productive working relationships with affiliate hospitals, laboratory departments, administrations, and the medical community to accomplish goals.
• • Plan, design and/or adapt information management systems with LIS/IS to meet confidentiality, privacy, security, accessibility, and complaint resolution needs.
• • Immediately address and assess any issues and/or complaints regarding patient safety and complete thorough investigations with corrective action plans.
• • Collect and analyze data relating to microbiology and molecular patient results and notify leadership of any non-conformances.
• • Ensure all testing is done according to hospital policies and procedures, including proper patient identification.