LAB TEAM LEADER

The Laboratory Team Leader at Riverside Healthcare is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the laboratory, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards. This role involves overseeing a team of laboratory professionals and students, managing resources, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements for a specific department within the lab. The Laboratory Team Leader will play a critical role in promoting a culture of excellence in patient care through effective leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Position includes rotating weekend and holiday shifts.

Essential Duties

Team Leadership:

• Lead and mentor laboratory staff, including phlebotomists, technicians, and support personnel, ensuring they are well-trained and motivated.
• Plan, perform, and supervise student instruction.
• Assign tasks and manage daily workload to optimize laboratory efficiency and meet patient care needs.
• Conduct regular performance competency assessments, provide feedback, and support professional development opportunities for team members.
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of new laboratory staff.

Laboratory Operations:

• Oversee the processing, testing, and analysis of specimens in a specified department to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with established protocols.
• Monitor laboratory workflow and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce turnaround times.
• Ensure the proper maintenance, calibration, and quality control of laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during testing and analysis.
• Assist in the development and revision of laboratory policies and procedures.
• Stay updated on advancements in laboratory technology and best practices, and share this knowledge with the team.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Ensure the laboratory adheres to all relevant regulations, including those set by CLIA and CAP.
• Participate in the development and implementation of quality assurance programs to maintain high standards of patient care.
• Coordinate and prepare for inspections and accreditations from external regulatory bodies, including, but not limited to CAP and DNV.
• Adhere to all laboratory safety procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), infection prevention standards, and handling and disposal of biohazardous materials and chemicals.
• Engage in ongoing educational opportunities related to laboratory science. Complete all competency assessments at required intervals.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Serve as a liaison between the laboratory team, other departments, and healthcare providers to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
• Attend and actively participate in departmental meetings, providing updates on laboratory performance and any issues requiring attention.
• Prepare and present reports on laboratory operations, including turnaround time, quality metrics, and resource utilization.

Inventory Management: 

• Assist in managing laboratory inventory, including ordering and stocking supplies, reagents, and equipment.
• Prepare routine and special solutions, reagents, and stains using established procedures.

Administrative Support: 

• Provide support with administrative tasks, such as filing, documentation, and responding to inquiries from healthcare providers or patients.

Flexibility: 

• Demonstrate flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 4 years technical experience in a qualified laboratory training and experience must be in the designated specialty area for which the individual is responsible
• In-depth knowledge of laboratory procedures, techniques, and equipment
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage and motivate a diverse team
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS) and electronic medical records (EMR)
• Strong commitment to patient safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities

Preferred Experience

• Supervisory experience preferred

Required Licensure/Education

• Bachelors degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, or a related field
• MLS (ASCP) or equivalent

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Multiple acids, bases, caustics, corrosives, and carcinogens, formalin
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Work with all forms of blood and body fluid specimens so potential for exposure is very high
• TB or Airborne Pathogens:. High risk for TB and other airborne pathogens when working with patient specimens

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed for communication with coworkers, providers, clinical staff, and other customers
• Vision: Needed for computer operation and specimen processing and testing
• Smell: Electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Needed to hear the instrument operate in order to detect malfunction and to listen co-workers, patients, and other customers
• Touch: Needed for all specimen processing with a great deal of fine motor skills involved

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 30%
• Twist: 2%
• Stand: 30%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 30%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 2%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 2%
• Reach above shoulders: 1%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the

continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Up to 20 lbs. - Putting reagents on instrument. If not in Lab, take cart to storeroom lift approximately 24 lbs., place on cart, return to Lab, take off cart and lift approximately 6\"\" to proper place on machine. Up to 10 lbs. - Lift from floor to waist high.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 90
• Twist: 5
• Stand: 90
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 45
• Kneel: 1
• Lift: 2
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 5
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 2
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight: very frequent
• Pushing & pulling Normal weight: up to 3-50 lbs frequently
• Fine Manipulation: Writing, typing, pipetting, instrument maintenance, manipulating specimens for testing procedures

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: None

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Very Bright
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors, Fumes

Special Hazards: Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Other - Mechanical and electrical equipment, all types of chemicals. All flammable chemicals are stored in an explosion-proof cabinet. Constant blood and body fluid exposure.

Protective Clothing Required: Gloves, lab coat, closed toe shoes, occasional goggles and mas