Laboratory Services Manager

Blood Bank of Alaska, Inc.; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health insurance

Paid time off

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Job summary

A regional organization focused on blood donations is seeking a Laboratory Services Manager responsible for daily operations and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in medical technology or a related field along with a preferred MT/MLS certification. The role offers a competitive salary and includes overseeing laboratory personnel, managing workflows, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. Applicants should have strong communication and problem-solving skills as well as previous experience in a similar environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in medical technology, clinical, physical, or biological sciences.
• Previous work experience in a blood bank/donor center laboratory preferred.
• At least 2 years supervisory laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the daily workflow of the laboratory.
• Ensure laboratory compliance with regulations.
• Perform investigation of laboratory issues.
• Schedule staff including on-call coverage for stem cell work.
• Develop and revise SOPs; coordinate validation tasks for lab ops.
• Ensure QC and maintenance records are up to date and compliant.
• Manage proficiency testing and regulatory compliance for blood products.
• Interface with vendors, clients, and internal teams as needed.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving skills

Ability to work independently

Ability to motivate employees

Proficient in Word and Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology or equivalent

MT/MLS certification preferred

Tools

Mediware

Word

Excel

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance

Are you interested in being a part of a team that helps to save lives? If that's you, you are in the right place! We offer a competitive salary and our laboratory will be expanding to include Donor Testing and a Reference Service Lab.

Blood Bank of Alaska Position Description

Position Title

Laboratory Services Manager

Department

Product Quality Control Laboratory

Reports To

Director of Laboratory Services

Position(s) Supervised

Laboratory Technicians

Position Summary

The QC Laboratory Services Manager is responsible, under the general direction of the Director of Laboratory Services for oversight of daily laboratory operations ensuring that laboratory product QC and donor test results meet CLIA, AABB and FDA compliance standards/regulations for the manufacture of blood products. The Laboratory Services Manager is responsible for direct oversight of laboratory personnel.

Supervisory Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Must be able to work independently with little or no supervision.
2. Must possess good organization skills with the ability to multitask.
3. Documentation must be legible, complete, and accurate.
4. Proficient in Word and Excel or comparable word processing and database/spreadsheet software.
5. Ability to identify needed changes in procedures, practices, goals and direction or structure of the department. Ability to promote and implement these changes effectively in a timely manner.
6. Ability to work with others to achieve departmental and organization goals and objectives.
7. Ability to work effectively to improve the skills of employees by providing clear, specific and helpful performance feedback and effective coaching and mentoring.
8. Ability to act honestly and with integrity, showing respect for laws, the rights of others, and Blood Bank of Alaska mission.
9. Ability to adapt to various situations, to work effectively with a variety of individuals and groups, to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives of an issue, and to adapt one’s approach as the requirements of the organization/department change.
10. Ability to motivate employees.
11. Retain subject matter expertise in field or profession.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversee and manage the daily workflow of the laboratory.
2. Maintain competency to perform laboratory processes and procedures to ensure adequate laboratory coverage as needed. Must meet qualifications of MT or MLS.
3. Assist in performance of lot release.
4. Schedule laboratory staff to include on-call schedule and coordination of stem cell laboratory staff coverage.
5. Responsible for completion of performance evaluation and disciplinary review for laboratory staff. Utilize support departments as required.
6. Responsible for competency evaluations of staff. Ensure these are completed in a timely manner.
7. Review of timesheets for applicable staff. Resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
8. Make employee safety and well-being a priority at all times.
9. Performs investigation and review of occurrences and biological product deviations related to laboratory issues.
10. Develops and makes revisions to laboratory Standard Operating Policies and Procedures as needed. Assigned owner/author in BBA's Blood Establishment Computer System (BECS) for laboratory SOPs.
11. Oversees receipt of TAD, TRALI and BD reports and initial notification of in date product recall/quarantine/discard. Notifies QA and Q & LB of reports.
12. Plans, writes and validates new or revised QC/equipment/maintenance procedures and processes. Works with Laboratory Services Director and appropriate management/project team to coordinate activities. Assigns and oversees validation tasks to laboratory technicians as appropriate.
13. Oversight of laboratory equipment QC and maintenance schedule to ensure that equipment is functioning properly and QC/maintenance is performed on time. Reviews applicable QC and maintenance records.
14. Ensures that proficiency testing for laboratory is ordered, assigned to staff on rotating schedule, performed and submitted on time and records reviewed.
15. Responsible for oversight of blood product quality control assuring that QC activities are performed in a timely manner and meets regulatory requirements for manufacture of blood products. Reviews end of month results and initiates appropriate investigations of nonconforming products.
16. Works as part of the BBA Project Team including applicable laboratory computer software (Mediware) changes as assigned.
17. Acts as BBA liaison for UAA medical laboratory technology student rotations.
18. Interfaces with vendors, contracted service providers and hospital customers as required.

Assists Director of Laboratory Services with additional duties as assigned.

Ability to adjust to changes in schedule. Position may include extended time and/or weekends.

Compliance Support Duties

1. Perform Copyholder responsibilities in BBA's Blood Establishment Computer System (BECS).
2. Assist with validation processes on equipment and procedures as assigned.
3. Work within scope of position to investigate and resolve any problems with procedures or processes. Appropriately notifies and consults with Laboratory Services management and Medical Director of problems.
4. Assist in other departmental compliance related support duties as directed by Laboratory Services management.

Customer Interaction

Must maintain a high standard for conscientious, courteous, and enthusiastic service to internal and external customers, and the public in general. Must make customer’s needs a high priority in face-to-face or telephone contact. Must consistently deliver service in a timely, accurate, professional and friendly manner. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of donor/patient privacy rights.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, each essential duty (as listed above) must be performed satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

General Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Act honestly and with integrity, showing respect for laws, the rights of others, and Blood Bank of Alaska mission.
• Demonstrate GDP, GLP and GMP.
• Ability to foster a working environment conducive to excellent customer service.
• Strict attention to details.
• Ability to problem solve and use critical thinking to make quality decisions.
• Knowledge of general safety and quality assurance procedures.
• Maintain donor and patient confidentiality.
• Strong writing and computer skills.
• Ability to instruct and train on a continuous basis.
• Meet physical demands necessary for effective job performance; must be able to lift heavy boxes (up to 50 lbs.).

Education

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, medical laboratory, chemical, clinical, physical or biological sciences; or Associate degree in chemical, clinical, physical or biological science or Associate’s degree in chemical, physical or biological science or medical laboratory with MT/MLS certification. May consider other candidates with previous experience in a similar laboratory environment.

Experience

Previous work experience in a blood bank/donor center laboratory preferred. Lab training or experience, or both along with at least 2 years supervisory laboratory experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Etc.

MT/MLS or MLT or equivalent certification preferred.

Work Environment

Potential hazard due to exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. The Blood Bank of Alaska follows OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards in the workplace. Standing and walking for prolonged period of time may be required.