Manager, Clinical Labs - External Referral Lab

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Duke University Health System Clinical Laboratories

Pursue your passion for caring and innovation as a team member in the state-of-the-art Duke Health laboratories. Duke Health laboratories are College of American Pathologists accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certified. The multidisciplinary team is committed to serving the rare and complex testing needs of Duke Health patients by providing timely and accurate results, educating the next generation of laboratorians, scientists and physicians, and researching and developing the cutting-edge diagnostics of tomorrow.

General Description

Responsible for managing and coordinating technical activities, testing, and operational support for multiple cost centers and/or more than 30 FTEs and/or a broad spectrum of testing.

Work Performed

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  Provides high level administrative and professional leadership for the External Referral Laboratory at DUHS.
  
  


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  Manages, coordinates and resolves laboratory issues related to Duke Clinical Labs’ Referral Lab services.
  
  


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  Maintains an effective working relationship with internal departments, Duke clinics and community outreach clients
  
  


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  Responsible for oversight of billing related to External Referral Laboratory tests being sent out.
  
  


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  Manage the operational policies and procedures of a clinical laboratory department unit and coordinate with medical staff on issues that impact laboratory services. Provide direction and support to unit supervisors in the development and monitoring of laboratory programs, including laboratory quality control procedures; installation and maintenance of laboratory equipment; and compliance with federal regulations.
  
  


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  Develop and monitor recruitment, selection, personnel orientation and development, and performance appraisal programs and processes. In concurrence with Senior Management, formulate short- and long-range goals for the clinical laboratory unit; set priorities, assign responsibilities, and establish timetables. Project future needs and formulate strategies consistent with these projections.
  
  


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  Determine fiscal requirements and prepare the annual operating budget for the unit; monitor, verify, and reconcile budget expenditures on a periodic basis. Prepare capital budget requests as needed.
  
  


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  Prepare activity reports reflecting workload volume, procedures utilized, and output results, including analyses outlining progress, adverse trends, and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
  
  


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  Plan and conduct meetings with staff to ensure compliance with established practices, implement new policies, and keep employees informed of current changes and standards. Represent the unit in interactions with other departments and members of the healthcare team.
  
  


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  Recommend and execute personnel actions including, but not limited to, hiring, performance evaluations, promotions, and disciplinary actions. Monitor employee attendance and automated time reports.
  
  


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  Communicate in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family members, and other medical personnel as required. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described or as directed by Senior Management.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough working knowledge of the clinical laboratory environment.

Level Characteristics

Responsibility for day-to-day supervision and/or oversight of laboratory operations and personnel performing testing and reporting test results. Formulate goals and/or recommend policy, assign objectives, and establish standards of practice.

Provide direct supervision of all high-complexity testing and maintain continuous contact with the laboratory through on-site presence or pager availability. Monitor testing to ensure acceptable levels of analytical performance are maintained, including:

• Verifying personnel competency prior to test reporting


• Ensuring all aspects of proficiency testing are properly followed, reviewed, and that remedial actions are documented following failures


• Establishing and maintaining effective Quality Assurance and Quality Control programs that identify and address problems


• Ensuring procedure manuals are available and reviewed annually by the director, manager, supervisor, or analytical specialist

Responsibilities delegated from the director or technical supervisor include:

• Assuring and documenting remedial actions when test systems deviate from established performance specifications


• Reviewing and documenting proficiency testing and following up on outliers


• Ensuring patient test results are not reported until corrective actions have been taken and systems are functioning properly


• Participating in annual performance evaluations, competency testing, and documentation for all testing personnel

Receive, review, and prepare technical reports reflecting workload volume, procedures utilized, and test results. Coordinate preparation of analyses identifying progress, adverse trends, and appropriate corrective actions.

Assist in the annual validation of the Electronic Laboratory Manual.

Within the clinical laboratories, we embrace Duke’s mission by placing the patient at the center of everything we do. This includes demonstrating behaviors that support patient- and family-centered care and embody values that promote a positive and inclusive work culture. All team members are expected to commit to these values and hold each other accountable with mutual respect and a sense of belonging.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology or a related field; advanced training is desirable. Minimum education or experience requirements may be modified on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) Director, provided minimal CLIA requirements are met for the tasks performed.

Experience

Seven years of laboratory experience, some of which must be in a supervisory capacity. An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may be considered.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Certification by a nationally recognized agency or board is required.