Research Lab Manager 2

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 83,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Northwestern University’s MED-Transplant Center seeks a Laboratory Leader to oversee clinical testing, ensure CLIA/ASHI/CMS compliance, and drive protocol development for transplant-related studies.

With oversight from the lab director, you will supervise technologists, review results, manage proficiency testing, and implement new technologies to improve patient care and lab operations. Weekend on-call is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science or related field.
• 5 years laboratory or histocompatibility experience.
• Experience with CLIA/ASHI/CMS regulations.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Experience with proficiency testing.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes and interprets clinical histocompatibility tests, prioritizing based on turnaround times and medical urgency.
• Performs final review of assigned clinical data.
• Coordinates, reviews and submits proficiency testing.
• Reviews maintenance and QC documentation of laboratory instrumentation and reagents.
• Plans, develops & implements protocols in support of clinical testing and research projects.
• Supervises laboratory testing workflow and special project workflow.
• Performs technologists' performance reviews.
• Evaluates technologists' competency in testing procedures.
• Evaluates new technologies/assays to determine if they can improve laboratory operations and/or patient care.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Working under pressure

On-call readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Job description

Department: MED-Transplant Center

Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Target hiring range for this position will be between $83,000 - $107,000. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary

Provides leadership in planning, design & execution of clinical testing, ensuring that the lab meets specified deliverables. Ensures the clinical laboratory's compliance with all Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations, as well as all the federal and local safety regulations. With guidance from lab director and manager, plans, develops & implements protocols to support clinical testing and research projects to maximize/expand lab capabilities. Supervises laboratory workflow and evaluates technologists' performance and competency as required by Northwestern University and the aforementioned accreditation agencies. This position performs final review of assigned clinical results; these results are used to help determine compatibility of donor and recipient pairs. Please note: This position will include some on-call work on weekends.

Specific Responsibilities

• Analyzes and interprets clinical histocompatibility tests, prioritizing based on laboratory turnaround times and medical urgency.
• Performs final review of assigned clinical data.
• Coordinates, reviews and submits proficiency testing.
• Reviews maintenance and QC documentation of laboratory instrumentation and reagents.
• Plans, develops & implements protocols in support of clinical testing and research projects as assigned by lab director and lab manager.
• Supervises laboratory testing workflow and special project workflow.
• Performs technologists' performance reviews.
• Evaluates technologists' competency in testing procedures.
• Evaluates new technologies/assays to determine if they can improve laboratory operations and/or patient care.

Molecular Biology

• DNA isolation
• PCR
• SSOP
• Next Generation Sequencing

Cellular Biology

• Cell isolation

Immunology

• Flow cytometry

Administration

• Attends and participates, as needed, in lab and transplant program meetings.
• Communicates with the transplant programs to clarify and confirm testing orders in support of the clinical workflow.
• Maintains detailed records of Quality Control and Quality Assurance activities which may include collecting, extracting, trending and entering data.
• Interprets &/or presents results
• Prepares charts & graphs for presentations & publications.
• Reviews results & revises protocols as necessary to ensure that testing objectives are attained.
• Participates in continuing educational activities.
• Interviews and evaluates candidates for open positions in the laboratory section for competency, experience, and potential.

Finance

• Negotiates prices & specifications with vendors.
• Purchases supplies, materials, equipment & services.
• Ensures appropriate allocation & compliance,
• Obtains sales quotes for lab equipment & supplies.
• Oversees repair & maintenance of all specific lab equipment.
• Ensures that lab supplies are ready & available when necessary.

Supervision

• Trains, directs, assigns duties to & may supervise lab EEs, students, residents &/or fellows.
• Provides instruction to lab users on technically complex procedures, equipment & instruments.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year courses of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in science; or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience
• One year previous experience with standard clinical laboratory operating procedures or related is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to work under stress due to the complexity and urgency of the testing requests.
• Must possess a good eye for detail, manual dexterity and must have the ability to maintain focus and mental concentration, due to the complexity of the work and risks stemming from an incorrect result.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience with standard clinical laboratory operating procedures.
• Experience in training new technologists.
• American College of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ACHI) Histocompatibility technologist (CHT) or specialist (CHS) certification.
• Experience in data analysis and reporting.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year courses of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in science; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Some previous experience with standard clinical laboratory operating procedures.
• Laboratory performance demonstrating good judgment, conscientiousness, precision and accuracy.
• 5 years of experience in the field of molecular biology and/or histocompatibility testing

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be able to work under stress due to the complexity and urgency of the testing requests.
• Must possess a good eye for detail, manual dexterity and must have the ability to maintain focus and mental concentration, due to the complexity of the work and risks stemming from an incorrect result.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• ACHI Histocompatibility technologist (CHT) or specialist (CHS) certification
• Specific skills including DNA based tissue typing, flow cytometry, immunoassays, data analysis and reporting

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.