Laboratory Manager

About us: For the past 85 years, Stephens County Hospital has been a trusted name in the community, striving for excellence and delivering professional and compassionate care. Our dedicated staff of approximately 475 employees has a heart for healthcare and realizes how precious the gift of good health can be.

Stephens County Hospital is a 96-bed acute care hospital located in Toccoa, Georgia. We are nestled in the beautiful foothills of Northeast Georgia where our family-oriented community offers many cultural and civic opportunities as well as numerous outdoor activities. 

Stephens County Hospital is a member of the Georgia Hospital Association, American Hospital Association and Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals. Stephens County Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation’s premier healthcare monitoring agency

 

Laboratory Manager - Full Time Exempt Position

 

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for the overall operation and management of the Laboratory.

 

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology or directly related field

 

Licensure/Certification:

Current Registration as a Medical Technologist with the American Society of Pathologist (ASCP), American Medical Technologist (AMT), or National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) is required

 

The Laboratory Manager provides care to patients of the indicated ages:

 

Neonate (Newborn)                            Adult (19 to 59 Years)

Pediatric (> Newborn to 11 Years)      Senior Adult (60 to 74 Years)

Adolescent (12 to 18 Years)               Geriatric (75 and Above)

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Goals and objectives are consistent with hospital mission and interdepartmental objectives.
  • Identifies specific outcomes and target dates.
  • Reviews goals monthly and addresses in monthly report.
  • Addresses goal resolution.
  • Develops an operating budget and capital expenditure plan.
  • Consistent with goals and objectives.
  • Reviews financial results monthly; compares to budget and takes corrective actions regarding unfavorable variances.
  • Maintains appropriate levels of supplies/inventory.
  • Selects equipment consistent with goals/budget.
  • Processes departmental payroll accurately and timely.
  • If applicable insures that departmental charges are input accurately and timely.
  • Employees are well informed.
  • Assures adherence.
  • Reviews and revises at least annually or as needed.
  • Delegates and coordinates departmental workflow for optimum efficiency.
  • Shares control with employees and others as related to the outcome of services provided by the department.
  • Seeks to constantly improve processes resulting in increased effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Develops job descriptions and measurable performance standards; reviews and revises as needed.
  • Encourages each employee to be quality conscious.
  • Maintains a quality improvement log to show improvements.
  • Crosses disciplinary lines to achieve functional quality improvement.
  • Fosters openness and exchange of ideas for improvement.
  • Advertises successes and builds on them for improvement.
  • Leads by example.
  • Finds an improvement opportunity.  Organizes a multidisciplinary team who is familiar with the problem.
  • Clarifies current knowledge about the process.
  • Uncovers the root causes.
  • Starts the PDCA cycle.
  • Plans for correction/intervention.
  • Does or implements the intervention.
  • Checks the results of the intervention.
  • Acts on the results with acceptance, rejection or modification.
  • Proactively shares information with employees regarding mission, values goals, progress, trends, experiments, successes and failures.
  • Proactively shares with administration information that could affect employees’ morale, motivation and ability to contribute to the organization.
  • Provides input at Department Manager meetings and other committee meetings as assigned.
  • Recruits, interviews, select, hires, and orients employees to fill vacancies in the department.
  • Facilitates the hiring process by thorough, accurate and timely submission of paperwork.
  • Monitors staffing levels and recommends adjustments to assure that customers’ needs are met.
  • Promotes longevity.
  • Runs efficient meetings which do not waste time.
  • Manages group dynamics to encourage participation by all and use of all talents.
  • Is able to reach consensus.
  • Recognizes and rewards team cooperation, efforts and results.
  • Acts proactively rather than reactively as evidenced by taking the initiative to solve problems before they become major crises.
  • Responds to suggestions of others with optimism and an eye to visionary possibilities rather than with pessimism and negativity.
  • Consistently treats employees as a customer rather than a resource which is expendable as evidenced by low turnover.
  • Displays a high motivation to work with all employees to achieve the goals of the department and hospital.
  • Strives to coach employees rather than reprimand.
  • Encourages and provides for employee education/training opportunities which will have a direct effect on employee performance.
  • Accurately and realistically evaluates employees based on job descriptions and performance standards.
  • Submits evaluations to Human Resources on or before annual review date or end of probationary period.
  • Maintains standards.
  • Measures results periodically.
  • Takes corrective actions when actual results are less than established standards.
  • Accepts and supports change.
  • Volunteers to accept additional duties.
  • Works positively with others.
  • Supports manager/supervisor.
  • Acts to promote harmonious work relationships and contributes to effective team work in the department and hospital.
  • Completes assignments and routine job functions on time without reminders (to include annual health update, etc.).
  • Voluntarily assists others, or takes initiative to assist with department workload once own duties are completed.
  • Searches for ways to improve service delivery of his/her department and makes the ideas known to administration.
  • Volunteers regularly for CQI teams.
  • Inservices on Bloodborne pathogens (annually).
  • Keeps track of hazardous gas monitoring for histology/cytology personnel.
  • Instructs personnel on chemical spills.
  • Provides the necessary engineering controls for safety as well as the protective clothing.
  • Keeps abreast through seminars, meetings, teleconferences, etc. of all changes in codes and specifications.  Communicates those changes to staff.
  • Provides bench coverage in the areas of Blood Bank, Chemistry and Hematology.
  • Provides secretarial functions such as billing, sending out lab reports by mail and fax as needed.
  • Prioritizes laboratory functions to be completed.
  • Insures that all standards are met from the various accrediting agencies (JCAHO, OSHA, CLIA, CAP, GDHA).
  • Instructs section leaders to keep track on PM’s of equipment.
  • Insures all invoices toward insurance usage are reviewed and posted to accounts receivable as soon as possible.
  • Troubleshoots incidents and problems occurring in and outside the laboratory.
  • Seeks solution to operate more effectively.
  • Communicates to the staff the incidents/problems and solicits their input into the solution(s).
  • Reviews lab results on a daily basis insuring quality and believable results.

 

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Neonate (Newborn)

  • Utilizes heel warmers to stimulate blood flow.
  • Uses appropriate technique and supplies for venipuncture.
  • Comprehends normal vs. abnormal lab values.

 

Pediatric (>Newborn to 11 Years)

  • Uses appropriate technique for venipuncture and finger sticks.
  • Appropriately uses restraining techniques.
  • Communicates instructions per age level of patients.
  • Comprehends normal vs. abnormal lab values.

 

Adolescent (12 to 18 Years)

  • Communicates instructions and information to the patient.
  • Utilizes appropriate venipuncture technique.
  • Comprehends normal vs. abnormal lab values for the particular age group.

 

Adult (19 to 59 Years)

  • Ability to communicate instructions and information to the patient (regarding testing, collections, etc.)
  • Utilizes appropriate venipuncture techniques.
  • Comprehends normal vs. abnormal lab values per age group.

 

Senior Adult (60 to 74 Years)

  • Ability to communicate instructions and information to the patient (regarding testing, collections, etc.).
  • Utilizes appropriate venipuncture techniques.
  • Comprehends normal vs. abnormal lab values per age group.

 

Geriatric (75 Years and Older)

  • Ability to communicate instructions and information to the patient (regarding testing, collections, etc.).
  • Utilizes restraints (if needed).
  • Utilizes appropriate venipuncture and fingerstick techniques.
  • Comprehends normal vs. abnormal lab values per age groups.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ability to compile, code and categorize, or verify information/data
  • Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situation
  • Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, and maintain a positive attitude
  • Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
  • Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
  • Ability to communicate effectively, with excellent verbal and written communication skills

 

Non-Essential Functions:

  • Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

 

Professional Requirements

  • Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
  • Complete annual education requirements.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
  • Report to work on time and as scheduled.
  • Wear identification while on duty.
  • Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
  • Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
  • Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
  • Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
  • Attend regular staff meetings and in-services as needed.

 

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

May need to sit for up to 2-6 hours at a time

Physically demanding, high-stress environment

Must have the cognitive ability to perform in this role. Critical and executive level thinking is required

Must have strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy

Have near normal hearing – able to hear alarms/telephone/normal speaking voice/webinars

Have near normal vision – clarity of vision (both near and far) either corrected on non-corrected, ability to distinguish colors

Have good manual dexterity and eye-hand-foot coordination

Standing – continuously within the shift (67-100%)

Walking – continuously within the shift (67-100%)

Climbing – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

Bending/stooping – frequently within the shift (34-66%)

Twist at the waist – occasionally with the shift (1-33%)

Pushing/pulling 50+lbs without assistance – frequently within the shift (34-66%)

Pushing/pulling 100+lbs with assistance – frequently within the shift (34-66%)

Lift/carry – 20+lbs without assistance – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

Reaching above the shoulders – frequently within the shift (34-67%)

Lift/carry – 50+lbs with assistance – occasionally within the shift (1-33%)

 

Stephens County Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, genetic predisposition, carrier status or any other legally protected status

marie.culver@stephenscountyhospital.com
marie.culver@stephenscountyhospital.com