System Manager, Laboratory Support Services

• Position: System Manager, Laboratory Support Services
• Location: Swedish and Northwest Community Hospitals
• Status: Full Time
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 7am - 4pm
• Required Travel: Yes

Reporting to the Lab Director, is responsible for designing and managing the work activities

related to specimen collection and processing, customer service and related clerical

responsibilities. Organizes, plans and directs operational processes, staff scheduling, workflow,

human resource issues and staff development and monitors resources and productivity for all

lab support staff including specimen registration, test ordering, collection, labeling, receipt,

processing, delivery and archiving. Oversees the performance and quality improvement

initiatives for areas of responsibility.

1. Oversees daily work assignments of staff in all phlebotomy and specimen processing areas,

to ensure high quality standards are maintained. Monitors daily work variables and shift staffing

mix for each shift and each draw site. Ensures procedural documentation is completed to meet

all regulatory requirements for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), The Joint

Commission (TJC) and College of American Pathologist (CAP) accreditation and any other

relevant regulatory and accreditation bodies. Oversees the timely completion of pre-analytical

processes related to specimen collection and processing, coordinates staff schedules, and

monitors workflow and quality issues, including turn-around-times and specimen acceptability

standards.

2. Serves as the department’s representative to investigate, handle, and resolve medical staff,

ombudsman, and/or customer service issues/complaints, problems between support services,

nursing units, and outpatient areas. Ensures timely, proper documentation for occurrence

reports and reports it to the Lab Director and/or Medical Director. Answers questions and

resolves problems pertaining to test requisitions, specimen requirements, test additions, priority

changes and patient results utilizing the Lab information system or other data retrieval system.

3. In consultation with the Director, develops departmental goals and initiatives required to

accomplish agreed upon goals; ensures compatibility with departmental and hospital objectives.

Participates in strategic planning for the Laboratory areas overseen. Recommends resources

required to meet department goals. Develops annual budgets and monitors financial

performance for the functional areas overseen; reviews departmental financial progress reports

and analyses; evaluates utilization of resources and develops plans to enhance cost efficiency

when applicable.

4. Identifies operational areas of concern and/or trends; assesses areas for improvement and

develops corrective action plans to improve performance. Develops training and staff

development initiatives that support meeting and exceeding hospital customer and laboratory

service standards. Integrates ongoing training and staff development changes into existing

safety, infection control, chemical, job safety and regulatory compliance requirements. Ensures

orientation of all new and existing employees on department and job specific policy and

procedure requirements including infection control, safety issues, protective equipment and

proper use of chemical agents.

5. In accordance with Endeavor Health policies, interviews, hires, disciplines and discharges (when

necessary) subordinate team members. Regularly evaluates the performance of team members

in accordance with the hospital’s performance management system. Supports development of

team member’s knowledge and skills through regular feedback, recognition of positive

accomplishments, and coaching opportunities. Develops and maintains work schedules for all

staff and shifts of responsibility, based on budget guidelines. Ensures minimum staffing levels

are maintained.

6. Responsible for the implementation of quality initiatives. Participates in quality improvement

assessment and initiates process improvements collaboratively with other teams. Recommends

and/or provides instruction on quality improvement project plans to Laboratory

management/staff members based upon compiled data. Prioritizes and implements quality

improvement plans that meet immediate to short term department objectives. Provides reports

at required frequencies.

7. Researches, evaluates, and selects new instrumentation, methodologies, and work

processes for the specimen collection, as appropriate. Coordinates meetings with vendors,

Administrative Lab Director, and Medical Director as applicable; reviews advance in

technology and makes recommendations for improvements to

laboratory equipment and

processes. Provides technical support where needed.

8. Requests system and related database updates for assigned areas to ensure timely and

appropriate test coding, reimbursement, pricing and lab user information.

9. Provides direction to staff for departmental performance and quality improvement and quality

control activities. In conjunction with the Clinical Chemist and/or the assigned Pathologist,

monitors and reviews departmental quality control and implements corrective action as needed.

Coordinates and facilitates laboratory and chemical hygiene compliance as suggested by the

laboratory QA Coordinator. Investigates and resolves safety and/or chemical hygiene related

problems. Ensures chemical inventory list for the assigned Laboratory areas is kept up-to-date.

10. Coordinates and facilitates departmental meetings, including agenda preparation.

Effectively communicates changes in policies, procedures, and operations. Provides written

minutes covering topics discussed including operations and performance improvement

activities. Conducts periodic meetings with staff and Pathology Group to discuss operations and

process improvements. Communicates all policies to employees and provides overall direction

necessary to ensure efficient and effective laboratory service.

11. Adheres to all Endeavor Health standards, policies and procedures

• →Bachelors Degree Required
• →CPR-BLS Certification from AHA required

• → 5+ Years  experience in a hospital setting required. 
• → 1 year supervisory or leadership experience with phlebotomy required