Supervisor, Transfusion Services Lab - Certified

Bloodworks Northwest is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska - partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based.

We have a new job opportunity for a Supervisor in our Transfusion Services Labs Compatibility Lab. The role is on the Transfusion Services Laboratory leadership Team, providing oversight of the day-to-day activities of the department or group that support the departments goals. As Supervisor, Transfusion Services, you will provide leadership to the Transfusion Services Laboratory by supervising the staff who perform day-to-day activities. Ensure effective teamwork within the laboratory and coach for performance and development. Perform bench testing on patient and donor samples, and make product modifications as needed. Solve problems and promote a high standard of quality and customer service. Participate in service leadership and planning. Serve as a liaison between management and staff.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: As a Bloodworks Supervisor:

As a member of the Leadership Team (LT)

• Participate as a collaborative member of the LT to support leadership across the entire organization, and provide leadership to the teams and functions reporting to you.
• Appropriately and responsibly serve as a representative of Bloodworks / The Organization in your interactions with employees, volunteers, vendors, donors, and others.

As a leader of Bloodworks

• Provide timely and honest feedback to fellow leaders regarding how the team functions.
• Challenge and offer support to fellow leaders to ensure each department is contributing to the success of the organization
• Ensure the workforces safety by implementing safety policies and monitoring incidents.
• Maintain confidentiality

Within the department

• In partnership with senior department leaders, assist in setting department direction, vision, values, goals, and objectives consistent with Bloodworks mission and strategic plan; consistently model values; and coach and mentor to the same expectations. Contribute to and build upon current practices and procedures in support of organizational and departmental goals.
• Personally demonstrate and inspire a commitment to quality through compliance with laws, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, and practices; ensure that department actions (self, staff, documentation, etc.) are consistent with this commitment.
• Hire, develop, and retain a well-balanced, high-performing team
• With staff, determine performance goals and provide ongoing feedback
• Monitor the successes and challenges of the team
• Ensure the department supports a balance of employee personal and business goals.
• Ensure customer needs and expectations are met
• Adhere to department budget and forecast
• Recommend and maintain proper staffing levels to achieve department objectives.
• Recommend systems, resources, and procedures to achieve the departments success.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: As a Supervisor, Transfusion Services:

• Interview, select, and hire transfusion services staff.
• Provide orientation and training to enable individuals to perform the duties listed in their job descriptions. Document training and ensure that staff perform only those duties for which they have been trained. Conduct ongoing competency evaluations.
• Evaluate and document individual performance based upon pre-determined expectations. Coach employees to ensure continual development. Counsel, discipline, and terminate staff when performance does not meet expectations. Conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures.
• Communicate frequently using a variety of methods, including one-on-one, email, and departmental meetings.
• Ensure operations are efficient and that customer requirements are met.
• Schedule staff work assignments to ensure optimal productivity and cost effectiveness. Monitor schedules to ensure staffing resources are appropriately allocated. Ensure Pay practices and policies are consistently applied and followed. Provide employees with feedback on attendance and punctuality.
• Perform bench testing and component work as part of the work team schedule, at a level equivalent to a Technologist IV.
• Monitor work practices to ensure that current Good Manufacturing Practices are followed, quality control is performed, equipment is maintained, and appropriate action is taken in the event of failures.
• Ensure staff are customer-focused and understand customers needs.
• Serve as a liaison to hospital meetings related to Transfusion Medicine, e.g., utilization committee, laboratory quality meetings. Serve as committee chair, as requested.
• Coordinate with Bloodworks physicians and Transfusion Safety Officers to provide educational support to clinical/patient care areas within the healthcare delivery system.
• Identify opportunities and implement process improvements, best practices, and workflow efficiencies.
• Work with department management to update and/or establish new departmental performance metrics and quality indicators. Compile data and prepare descriptive reports as needed to communicate performance to the workgroup.
• Participate in developing the departments annual personnel and operating budget. Administer the budget with an emphasis on optimal resource use and waste reduction.
• Ensure that quality processes are followed, and error reporting is documented. Investigate and document incidents that contribute to errors, accidents, or adverse transfusion outcomes. Report results to Manager in a timely fashion. Implement corrective action and recommend preventive action and process improvement for sub-optimal processes. Utilize technical resources to assist in problem resolution and remediation. Ensure that patient test results are not reported until all corrective actions have been taken and the test system is properly functioning. Ensure that all remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the laboratorys established performance specifications.
• Ensure the integrity of written and electronic records generated by the department.
• Coordinate laterally within Transfusion Services to ensure processes are optimized, resources are used appropriately, and quality practices are consistently applied.
• Ensure a safe work environment by reviewing safety practices and participating in the safety committee, developing safe practices, and communicating with staff. Evaluate safety reports and remediate problems.
• Develop written standard operating procedures as assigned.
• Participates in the qualification and validation of processes and equipment.
• Participates in quality assurance activities.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• A bachelors degree in a chemical, biological, clinical, or medical laboratory science, or medical technology; OR
• An associates degree in a laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution; OR
• Equivalent education and training that includes:
• At least 60 semester hours that, at a minimum, include either:
• 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses; OR
• 24 semester hours of science as specified in the CLIA regulations and the CAP Personnel Guidance Document

And:

• Completion of a clinical laboratory training program; OR
• At least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high-complexity testing
• BB(ASCP) and/or MLS(ASCP) certification is strongly desired.
• A minimum of five years experience, with progressively increasing responsibilities, in a Transfusion Service or a similar clinical laboratory environment.
• Two years of relevant supervisory or leadership experience.

Specific job skills include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrated computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, data entry, and word processing.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently.

• Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including a strong attention to detail.

• To access some client facilities, the incumbent may need to apply for and obtain clearance to enter the client property. This clearance process may require the incumbent to undergo additional screening beyond the standard Bloodworks Northwest pre-employment screening.

• Significant manual dexterity is required to operate various instruments and to perform required data entry quickly and with a high degree of accuracy.

• The ability to perform multiple tasks concurrently while also addressing multiple interruptions is required.

• The ability to adhere to a series of complex process steps that involve interacting with multiple computer systems and physically handling inventory is required.

• The ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment and with staff from other departments is required.

• Demonstrate professionalism and teamwork in ways that foster patient safety and operational efficiency.

• Must be able to prioritize activities effectively and to continuously re-prioritize to accommodate tight deadlines and a varying workload. Additionally, this position is required to facilitate completion of multiple and conflicting emergency blood and blood products requests, and as a result, is subject to significant stress

• ability to mentor and develop members of the team and build a strong working relationship with the leadership team for the clients supported by the laboratory.

• Knowledge of personnel management and applicable regulatory requirements, including: AABB BBTS standards, FDA regulations, and GMP.

• Required mental activities include continuous use of interpersonal skills, teamwork, customer service, and the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English to ensure effective communication (written, in-person verbal, and by phone or web conference).

• Additional required mental activities include decision-making, independent judgment and/or independent action, mentoring and teaching (both used frequently), problem analysis and creativity (both used occasionally), and performing basic math.

• Required physical activities include continuous listening. Required physical activities used less frequently include sitting, standing, walking, talking, and repetitive motions of hands/wrists (all used frequently); stooping, sitting, bending, kneeling, feeling, and repetitive motions of feet (all used occasionally); and crawling and climbing (used rarely).

• The ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds is required, as is the ability to push up to 40 pounds.

• Required physical activities include continuous sitting, talking, hearing, and repetitive hand/wrist motions. Other required physical activities used less frequently include standing, walking, and reaching (used occasionally); and visually identifying red, green, yellow, and blue; bending; stooping, and kneeling (used rarely).

Shift: The supervisor will be primarily on an evening shift, supporting evening and night-shift employees in the department.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This is a highly regulated position subject to the rules and regulations of various regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies (e.g., FDA, AABB, CLIA, CAP).
• Telecommuting is an occasional and not permanent condition of this role.
• To access certain facilities, the incumbent may be required to obtain credentialing as defined by the client. This may include background checks, immunizations, drug testing, and other requirements.
• Position requires occasional travel among the Bloodworks laboratory locations. Also required are extensive computer work; occasional heavy lifting, constant standing, extended hours, and on-call status; as well as infrequent off-shift work and extensive close work.
• Position may require intermittent work (up to 30 minutes per occasion) in cold rooms (1-6 °C) and walk-in freezers (-35 °C).
• As this is an essential position with direct responsibility to donors and/or patients, the incumbent should be prepared to work extended and/or consecutive shifts, and possibly at a different location, during periods of inclement weather or other emergencies.
• Weekends, holidays, on-call work, and flexible shift/hours are required in this position.
• Work is performed in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Bloodworks is a community-supported non-profit organization. As a result, the incumbent may occasionally collaborate with volunteers.
• This position has direct exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Benefits and Perks:

Employees regularly scheduled for 24+ hours per week are covered by medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with family coverage also available. Also able to participate in retirement plans (401a & 401b), consolidated paid leave program (4.8 - 6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), subsidized transit program, and educational reimbursement. Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus*

• Conditions apply

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Bloodworks Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.