Lab Client Services Supervisor (Med Lab Scientist)

Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories is seeking a Technical-Administrative Supervisor to oversee technical operations and departmental policies across shifts. The role supports the Manager and Directors in meeting quality, regulatory, and safety standards while guiding staff performance and operations.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a laboratory science, ASCP certification within a year, and at least four years of clinical lab experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in Medical Laboratory Science, Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry or related field.
• ASCP certification within one year from date of hire.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in a clinical laboratory environment as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or related role.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily operations of the assigned department/section/shift to ensure workflow efficiency and policy adherence.
• Drives staff scheduling and monitors performance, ensuring test turnaround times meet expectations.
• Manages inventory, budget considerations, QA/QC processes, and regulatory compliance.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in Medical Laboratory Science or related field

ASCP certification within one year from date of hire

Minimum of 4 years demonstrated professional work experience in a clinical laboratory setting

Job description

Shift: 1st shift (Hours will vary based on department/organizational need.)

Summary:

Technical-Administrative Supervisors ensure the technical operations, policies, and processes are standardized throughout the shifts, days, and locations (if applicable) for their section(s). They are responsible for scheduling and employee performance of technical procedures. Technical-Administrative Supervisors are effective team members in section management relative to communication, operations, finances, and personnel management as appropriate. They assist the Manager and appropriate Section Director(s) in meeting customer expectations, quality, regulatory, and safety requirements.

Responsibilities:

1. Monitors and assists the manager in the daily operations of the assigned department/section/shift, ensuring effective workflow processes and adherence to policies and procedures. Adjusts work assignments to meet or exceed test turnaround time expectations, while maintaining appropriate quality control, instrument calibration and maintenance, training, and competency activities.
2. On a timely basis, prepares and maintains monthly staff work schedules based on workload, training, rules of employee conduct, and union contracts. Schedules creatively to minimize or eliminate overtime.
3. Maintains departmental consumable inventory. Places orders as needed, based on established procedures and timeframes.
4. Consistently achieves biweekly Payroll deadlines by submitting complete and accurate employee automated timekeeping data, including Employee Request and Notification forms. Maintains an ongoing record of employee exceptions to ensure rules of employee conduct are consistently followed.
5. Maintains and updates department procedure manuals as needed or appropriate. Develops new procedures and special reports as needed. Ensures that staff is knowledgeable in and regularly follows standard laboratory policies, procedures, and across shifts and sites (if applicable) to ensure quality test results. Also ensures that required staff review and sign-off of policies, procedures, regulatory items, meeting minutes, safety updates, etc., is performed on a timely basis.
6. Assists manager in preparing for and conducting regular and meaningful staff meetings, sharing company information and encouraging employee input. Prepares and distributes comprehensive meeting minutes.
7. Maintains competency and accurately performs appropriate technical procedures (bench work) as dictated by workload and/or staffing.
8. Utilizes the Laboratory Information System (LIS) to ensure accurate data generating, as well as appropriate data retention and retrieval. Assists in updating LIS test menus to coincide with departmental updates.
9. Researches and resolves problems and serves the department as a resource by sharing expert knowledge on technical issues including unusual specimens, unusual test results, etc. Utilizes advanced troubleshooting skills to maintain accurate and timely patient resting. Consults with managers, section directors, and patient care team members regarding difficult analyses, abnormal findings, and conflicting results.
10. Keeps abreast of new developments/issues related to own area of expertise. Involved in RFP’s and research and development of new instruments or products, compiling accurate and detailed data and summary reports. Ensures that all tests are scientifically accurate and performed in accordance with standard protocol. Responsible for the implementation of test procedures, instrumentation, and reagents. Also assists the manager in meeting departmental operations budget, within acceptable variances. Looks for innovative approaches for expense reduction and cost-effective system enhancements.
11. Assists in the development, monitoring, and reporting of quality assurance (QA) standards and objectives. Participates in QA programs to ensure that quality standards are met. Serves as a consultant for QA/QC problem situations: working to resolve situations as they occur so that testing may continue in a timely manner. Supports manager in promoting continuous quality improvement initiatives through creative critical thinking, employee education, and ongoing projects. Assists in the development and implementation of process improvement.
12. Ensures that required quality control (QC) and maintenance procedures are appropriately performed and documented. Ensure that monthly QC reports are prepared, reviewed, and submitted to the section director or designee as appropriate. Proactively identifies and notifies manager of risk occurrences within the department, i.e., errors, accidents, and other risk incidents. Follows up with comprehensive investigation and resolution as appropriate.
13. Develops and maintains the proficiency testing (PT) program for assigned section(s). Ensures that proficiency tests are ordered appropriately in the LIS and tested in the same manner as patient specimens by assigned employees. Maintains records of employee performance and ensures rotation of PT testing among employees. Completes required forms and reports results to agencies within the required timeframe. Reviews returned results and performs corrective action as needed.
14. Ensures compliance with all regulatory and inspection agencies. Prepares for and participates in on-site inspections by certification agencies including CAP, ASHI, AABB, JCAHO, etc
15. Creates, maintains, implements, and documents appropriate training and competency programs. Ensures that employees understand departmental/section/shift expectations. Ensures that new employees, students, and pathology residents are scheduled for and receive appropriate training. Continually assesses training progress and adjust training schedules to ensure competency. Actively participates in training as needed.
16. Participates in hiring decisions, including interviewing and assessing the technical expertise of applicants.
17. Communicates regularly with employees regarding performance, job satisfaction and career development. Collaborates with the manager regarding significant performance issues and follows up by preparing performance improvement plans ad/or progressive disciplinary action in an objective and consistent manner based on the rules o of employee conduct. Participates in disciplinary hearing and needed.
18. Assumes primary responsibility for preparation of employee performance evaluations within the month they are due. Obtains input from other members of the department leadership team regarding technical performance as applicable. Participates in the performance evaluation meetings as requested.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in one of the following: Medical Laboratory Science (formerly Clinical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology), Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry (other science degrees may also be acceptable)
2. ASCP certification within one year from date of hire, where applicable.
3. Minimum of 4 years demonstrated successful, professional work experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Microbiologist, Molecular Biologist, Chemistry Technologist, Hematology Technologist, or Cytogenetics Technologist in a clinical or research laboratory environment.