Technical Supervisor-Molecular Microbiology Full-time Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

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The Technical Supervisor reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Technical Supervisor is responsible for the day to day operations of the department, for prompt, efficient, and accurate performance of the testing services. This individual will supervise staff on all shifts assigned to the department, and is responsible for the scheduling of staff necessary to meet service expectations. 

The Technical Supervisor is also responsible for staff development through timely performance appraisals. This position will have responsibility for assuring that the services provided in the department section meet customer and CDH service expectations, CDH/lab policies, and regulatory requirements.

The Technical Supervisor is expected to be a working supervisor, being proficient in all assigned services and spending time in performing those services. The individual should exercise the opportunity to develop staff through delegation of administrative duties to qualified staff whenever appropriate.

Responsibilities:

• Self-control in stressful situations. Ability to promote and work in a "team" environment. Ability to communicate in an effective and professional manner. Ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to be self-motivated and to work for periods without direct supervision. Ability to manage time well through prioritization of tasks. Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to make decisions and to willingly accept decision-making concerning departmental operations when appropriate. Ability to communicate effectively with customers and coworkers. Job requires detail-oriented individual to perform clerical and technical tasks. Problem solving skills are frequently utilized. Ability to manage stress and personal morale. Committed to continuous self-improvement. Ability to assess and determine situations requiring an interpreter, and to use interpreter services effectively.
• Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance.
• Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers. Addresses questions and concerns promptly, or identifies appropriate person and resources to do so. Provides directions or help to patients and customers with finding their way.
• Performs bench work as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, local, AABB, FDA, OHSA, TJC, CAP, CLIA, multi-disciplinary, hospital regulations, policies and procedures.
• Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
• Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments. Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.

Efficiency and Business Growth

• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
• Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
• Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
• Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide.
• Accurately assesses problems utilizing problem solving skills.
• Responds to customer calls in a professional and courteous manner. Reports test results accurately over the telephone to appropriate individuals.
• Understands the operation and maintenance of equipment pertinent to job.
• Demonstrates knowledge of reference ranges for the infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient.
• Collects QI data and submits to manager in a timely fashion. Performs, interprets, and documents QC appropriately. Performs weekly QC review and insures all QC documentation is complete.
• Performs all aspects of daily work in a manner that contributes to and ensures an environment of patient safety.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in a manner that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Utilizes resources effectively and contributes to cost containment efforts. Assists manager in the development of budgets for area of responsibility and meets projected financial targets through fiscal responsibility.
• Evaluates existing services, systems, methods, procedures, instrumentation and staffing for appropriateness.
• Prioritizes work correctly and is able to multi-task.
• Maintains personal competency for all services under supervisor's accountability, and performs services when workload and staffing dictates.

Communication and Collaboration

• Participates in organizational and departmental performance improvement activities.
• Communicates verbally in a clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrates flexibility and dependability related to scheduling and completing workload.
• Recommends improvements in lab services and implements changes in concert with responsible manager.
• Develops and maintains good working relationship with pathology staff and laboratory staff to assure effective coordination and implementation of lab services
• Assures complete and on-going communication with staff, peers and superiors through appropriate written memos and regularly scheduled staff meetings. Communicates verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner. Keeps Manager, Medical Director and Associate Director informed of all changes in services and areas of concern.
• Supports the marketing of lab services to Central DuPage Health, HealthLab and community health care providers in coordination with manager and lab marketing staff. Provides written informative marketing materials to marketing staff for newsletters and Lab Services Manual as requested and/or required.

Administration and Documentation

• Documentation meets current standards and policies. Provides documentation that is timely, accurate, up to date, complete and legible.
• Performs accurate computer and non-computer data entries and documentation
•  Maintains schedule, notifies manager of any scheduling problems.
• Reviews QC/QA records to assure completeness and to identify areas of concern. Reports findings to supervisor or manger.
• Maintains proficiency in computer software necessary for performance of supervisory duties.
• Assists manager in the development of budgets for area of responsibility and meets projected financial targets through fiscal responsibility.

Leadership

• Initiates the meeting of responsibilities without prompting.
• Demonstrates the values of team concept on a consistent basis. Interacts with all team members in a professional manner.
• Informs manager of any site related issues such as workload increase/decrease, change in test requests, personnel concerns, etc.
• Submits suggestions to improve the laboratory's efficiency to appropriate individuals.
• Creates a positive learning environment when instructing new employees, presents information clearly, concisely and at an appropriate pace.
• Provides training, initial orientation, annual competency assessment, and professional development of staff. Provides feedback for employee evaluations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Bachelor Requirement:
• Upon hire must provide hard copy of diploma and/or transcripts of a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the national ASCP certifying exam.  Must provide proof of Education as stated in the CLIA guidelines.
• Certification Requirement:
• Must obtain Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) (ASCP) or Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) (ASCP), Molecular Biology (MB) (ASCP), or equivalent certification within 1 year of hire date.
• Individual must meet requirements for performing high complexity testing as defined by federal licensing guidelines (CLIA) and accreditation agencies (TJC, CAP).
• Experience
• At least three years of clinical experience in a TJC or CAP accredited laboratory in the section they are to supervise

Preferred:

• 5 years of clinical lab experience in a TJC or CAP accredited laboratory in the section they are to supervise.

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.