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LABORATORY DIRECTOR, CLINICAL LABS
Job Title: LABORATORY DIRECTOR, CLINICAL LABS
Job Code: 5414
FLSA: E
Job Level: L2
Revised Date: 11/01/2006
Supervisory Responsibility: Yes
General Description of the Job Class
The Laboratory Director is responsible for the overall operation, leadership, direction, and administration of the Clinical Laboratory in accordance with Federal Regulations governing clinical laboratories.
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct and evaluate the organization's laboratory operations and performance.
The Laboratory Director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratory, including the employment of personnel who are competent to perform test procedures, and record and report test results promptly, accurate, and proficiently and for assuring compliance with the applicable regulation.
Ensure that testing systems developed and used for each of the tests performed in the laboratory provide quality laboratory services for all aspects of test performance, which includes the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing.
Ensure that the physical plant and environment conditions of the laboratory are appropriate for the testing performed and provide a safe environment in which employees are protected from physical, chemical and biological hazards
Ensure that the test methodologies selected have the capability of providing the quality of results required for patient care; verification procedures used are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision and other pertinent performance characteristics of the method; and laboratory personnel are performing the test methods as required for accurate and reliable results.
Ensure that the laboratory is enrolled in an HHS approved proficiency testing program for the testing performed and that the proficiency testing samples are tested as required by CLIA; the results are returned within the timeframes established by the proficiency testing program; all proficiency testing reports are reviewed by the appropriate staff to evaluate the laboratory???s performance and to identify any problems that require corrective action; and an approved corrective action plan is followed when any proficiency testing results are found to be unacceptable or unsatisfactory.
Ensure that the quality control and quality assurance programs are established and maintained to assure the quality of laboratory services provided and to identify failures in quality as they occur.
Ensure the establishment and maintenance of acceptable levels of analytical performance for each test system.
Ensure that all necessary remedial actions are taken and documented whenever significant deviations from the laboratory???s established performance specifications are identified and that patient test results are reported only when the system is functioning properly.
Ensure that reports of test results include pertinent information required for interpretation.
Ensure that consultation is available to the laboratory???s clients on matters relating to the quality of the test results reported and their interpretation concerning specific patient conditions.
Employ a sufficient number of laboratory personnel with appropriate education and either experience or training to provide appropriate consultation, properly supervise and accurately perform tests and report test results in accordance with the personnel responsibilities described in CLIA regulations.
Ensure that prior to testing patients??? specimens, all personnel have the appropriate education and experience, receive the appropriate training for the type and complexity of the services offered and have demonstrated that they can perform all testing operations reliably to provide and report accurate results.
Ensure that policies and procedures are established for monitoring individuals who conduct preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical phases of testing to assure that they are competent and maintain their competency to process specimens, perform test procedures and report test results promptly and proficiently, and whenever necessary, identify needs for remedial training or continuing education to improve skills.
Ensure that an approved procedure manual is available to all personnel responsible for any aspect of the testing process
Specify in writing the responsibilities and duties of each consultant and each person engaged in the performance of the preanalytic, analytic and postanalytic phases of testing, that identifies which examinations and procedures each individual is authorized to perform, whether supervision is required for specimen processing, test performance or results reporting and whether consultant or director review is required prior to reporting patient test results.
Establish operations standards for cost control, waste reduction, quality, safety, and complete on-time delivery.
Oversee the development of the organization's plans and programs in evaluation of long-range planning and regulatory action on operational performance. Foster a unified culture and promotes a process for collaboration, cooperation, sharing of information and mutual teamwork.
Monitor utilization patterns of lab services and advises Leadership and other appropriate staff of developing trends in clinical service needs.
Establish and maintain lines of communication with internal and external customers in order to ensure a timely response to new clinical service trends and program planning.
Ensure operational adherence to currently accepted technical service standards for laboratory medicine.
Ensure operational adherence to applicable policies and procedures by all technical and operational staff.
Participate in the development and implementation of operations budget to ensure compliance with organizational expenditure requirements.
Advise, negotiate, manage and administer all contracts into which the lab may enter.
Lead and direct the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes.
Perform other duties as required.
Perform other responsibilities as mandated by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and any other pertinent local, state or federal regulations.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education
Doctor of Medicine
Experience
Ten to fifteen years related experience in a clinical laboratory
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Certified in anatomic or clinical pathology, or both, by the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology or possess qualifications that are equivalent to those required for such certification
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image.
Knowledgeable of academic medical settings and a proven track record of successfully working in such settings.
A strategic visionary with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment and strong operational focus.
An intelligent, articulate team player who can relate to people at all levels of the organization and who possesses excellent communication skills.
An effective educator who is willing to share information and serve as a mentor.
An excellent negotiator who is experienced in contract development and management.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents.
Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to the Board and other stakeholders.
Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level
N/A
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
