Laboratory Operations Manager

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital is seeking a Laboratory Operations and Point of Care Manager to oversee POCT program operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and coordinate core laboratory activities. The role partners with clinical departments to deliver safe, accurate, and timely testing services.

The position drives staffing coordination, instrument implementation, workflow improvements and strategic planning for laboratory operations, quality management, and emergency preparedness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or related field.
• MLS/ASCP certification or equivalent national certification.
• Louisiana CLS license as Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret journals, reports and legal documents.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational and problem solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and administer Point of Care Testing across the health system.
• Ensure compliance with CLIA, Joint Commission, CMS and other regs.
• Oversee POCT device validation, QA, competency assessment and monitoring.
• Develop POCT policies, procedures and training materials.
• Coordinate testing standardization across facilities and departments.
• Review QC, proficiency testing, maintenance records and corrective actions.
• Investigate quality issues and compliance concerns; document accordingly.
• Collaborate with nursing, respiratory therapy, surgical services and physicians.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Regulatory compliance

Quality management

Education

Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or related field

MLS/ASCP certification or equivalent

Louisiana CLS license

4 years laboratory experience

Job description

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION The Laboratory Operations and Point of Care Manager is responsible for the operational oversight regulatory compliance quality management and strategic coordination of the Point of Care Testing program across Lake Charles Memorial Health System This position serves as the primary liaison between Laboratory Services and clinical departments performing point of care testing In addition the Manager supports daily operations of the core laboratory by coordinating staffing schedules assisting with implementation of new instrumentation and testing platforms facilitating workflow improvements resolving operational challenges and promoting efficient laboratory services The position works collaboratively with laboratory leadership nursing leadership physicians and ancillary departments to ensure safe accurate timely and compliant testing services.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Point of Care Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary administrator and operational leader for all Point of Care Testing throughout the health system
• Maintains compliance with CLIA Joint Commission CMS and other applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements
• Oversees implementation validation quality assurance competency assessment and ongoing monitoring of POCT devices and methodologies
• Develops and maintains POCT policies procedures and training materials
• Coordinates testing standardization across facilities and departments
• Reviews quality control proficiency testing maintenance records and corrective action documentation
• Investigates and resolves POCT quality issues documentation deficiencies and compliance concerns
• Collaborates with nursing respiratory therapy emergency services surgical services and physician practices regarding POCT utilization and performance
• Participates in regulatory inspections audits and accreditation surveys

Lab Operations Responsibilities

• Maintains staffing schedules and coordinates personnel coverage for core laboratory operations
• Supports implementation and optimization of laboratory workflows and operational processes
• Coordinates equipment installations validations go live activities and system upgrades
• Collaborates with vendors biomedical engineering IT and laboratory personnel during system implementations
• Assists with troubleshooting instrumentation workflow bottlenecks and daily operational challenges
• Monitors workload trends and recommends operational improvements to enhance efficiency and service quality
• Participates in strategic planning initiatives process improvement projects and departmental goals
• Supports laboratory quality management initiatives and performance improvement activities
• Assists with emergency preparedness planning and operational continuity efforts

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and guidance to laboratory and point of care testing personnel
• Promotes a culture of safety quality accountability and customer service
• Participates in employee training competency assessments and professional development programs
• Encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between laboratory services and patient care departments
• Assists with performance improvement initiatives and achievement of departmental objectives
• Serves as a subject matter expert for laboratory operations and point of care testing
• Other duties as assigned

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors degree in medical laboratory science or related field
• 4 years of laboratory experience preferred
• National certification MLSASCP or equivalent required
• Louisiana State license as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist required
• Ability to read analyze and interpret common specific and technical journals financial reports and legal documents
• Knowledge of laboratory operations quality assurance and regulatory compliance
• Strong leadership communication organizational and problem solving skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work Environment While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand walk sit speak and hear The employee must occasionally lift andor move up to 10 pounds Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus While performing the duties of this job the employee may be at risk for exposure to blood borne pathogens and tuberculosis The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate Mental competence and alertness dexterity and accuracy of physical movements; clear concise pleasant speaking abilities; accurate hearing is essential; visual acuity is a must; stability of emotional make up is essentialReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.