Clinical Laboratory Technician Lead, HMC Phlebotomy & Specimen Processing Services Team

Work schedule: 

• 100% FTE.

• Work schedule, Tuesday – Saturday 0530-1400.  

• Day shift. 

What you’ll contribute: 

Responsible for smooth day-to-day operations in the laboratory processing area:   

• Plan, organize, and assign staff work assignments and breaks in a manner that maintains smooth workflow regardless of workload. Organize work assignments and daily schedule to support area training activities. Communicate with the supervisor concerning the lab’s operational status, training needs, personnel issues, and staff concerns. Work with the supervisor to review workplace procedures and policies. Report issues or concerns from other lab divisions or hospital staff through HC1 or other reporting mechanisms (i.e., Quality Improvement tracking mechanism, Incident Reports, or Patient Safety Network (PSN)). 

Perform all Clinical Laboratory Technician 1 and 2 tasks: 

• Must be able to perform tasks on all benches in processing areas to oversee and cover all benches whenever needed during short staffing periods. Routine bench performance will allow for observation of areas for performance improvements for all staff. Perform other duties as  or as assigned by supervisor or manager.  

Resolve problems: 

• Solve specimen problems in a timely, thorough and accurate manner, providing appropriate documentation for supervisor review. Make constructive suggestions for improvements in the lab and staffing distribution. Generate and review quality feedback forms with staff. Keep lab staff informed regarding specimen and/or handling problems or procedural changes. 

Train new staff and provide continued training of current employees: 

• Oversee training of new staff to ensure that training is completed and documented on a timely basis. Provide and update training materials. Work with the supervisor to perform, assess, and document competency evaluations of current employees.  Provide communications about opportunities for continuing education to all staff. 

Oversee safe work practices and responsibilities: 

• Direct staff to ensure the workplace is clean, neat, and professional in appearance.  Oversee and ensure that biohazardous precautions are always followed, including the disposal of biohazardous waste in a timely manner. Wear personal protective equipment and ensure staff properly use personal protective equipment as required. 

Perform computer functions: 

• Perform computer functions  for completion of tasks and act as a resource to others. Ensure that specimen processing runs smoothly during scheduled and unscheduled computer downtimes. Understand how to use the Laboratory Information System (LIS) for problem resolution.  Upon completion of training, accurately and appropriately perform laboratory billing rejection resolution to ensure timely submission. This includes maintaining the “MERGE” and patient identification correction documentation records, cancel and credit functions and resolution of duplicate charges. Act as a resource for SPS and the Informatics Division.   

Complete documentation: 

• Ensure that staff always follow established departmental policies and division specific processes and guidelines. Integrate new or revised processes into the workplace. Author new guidelines and job aids under direction of supervisor.  Perform biennially review of current documentation per CAP requirements.  

Ensure confidentiality: 

• Maintain patient confidentiality regarding all written, verbal and computerized patient information per UW Medicine requirements. Maintain confidentiality regarding staff and personnel issues. 

Other miscellaneous duties: 

• Help maintain, archive, and retrieve records. Report equipment and/or facility problems in a timely manner and provide adequate notice to staff. Ensure refrigeration temperatures are monitored daily and take corrective action in case of refrigeration equipment failure. Resolve UI patient number and Doe patient problems. Maintain and/or notify appropriate lead or supervisor of supply inventory needs; order as needed. Provide safety checks of equipment, reagents or bench practices as needed. 

Perform specialized roles: 

• Under the direction of the manager and/or supervisor, may serve in specialized roles, including divisional Quality Assurance, as a representative on committees to implement new systems or processes, as the division’s envoy for specialized department or hospital related initiatives, and/or work on other projects as assigned by the manager or supervisor. 

What you’ll need: 

High school graduation or equivalent AND three (3) years of chemical, clinical, or public health laboratory experience. 

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration. 

Additional department requirement: 

• Medical Assistant – Phlebotomist (MA-P) certification with the Washington State Department of Health OR obtain the MA-P certification within 180 days of start date.  

Desired qualifications: 

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in science 

• Experience in a major medical hospital laboratory 

• Experience with laboratory information system(s) 

• Experience with Electronic Health Record(s) (EHRs)  

What we offer:  

• Vacation time and sick time off that accrue monthly, including 12 paid holidays. 

• State Employee Tuition Exemption Program covering up to 6 credits of qualifying coursework per quarter at the University of Washington or other participating colleges or universities. 

• Fully subsidized public transit pass (U-PASS) that covers multiple forms of public transportation in the region.  

• Excellent healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options. 

• Lots of free fantastic fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress reduction classes offered through the Whole U. 

• And much more!  

About the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology: 

A regional resource for clinical laboratory services required for innovative patient care, research and educational programs, the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at UW Medicine combines the sophisticated testing and informatics capabilities of fully accredited laboratories with the resources of an academic institution in its delivery of clinical and anatomic pathology services. Recognized for excellence in clinical training, world-class research initiatives, and a commitment to community service, we serve labs and medical facilities both nationally and internationally.