Technical Specialist - Transfusion Services

Advocate Health; Park Ridge (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health seeks a senior leader to advance quality and compliance in its clinical laboratory services. The role leads accreditation readiness, collaborates with operational leaders, and designs methods to improve efficiency and patient care.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's in Medical Technology or related field, with 5+ years of leadership, plus a Master’s desirable. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology or related field is required.
• Master’s degree in Health Administration or related field is desirable.
• Minimum of five years of leadership experience is required.
• Demonstrated track record of achieving results.

Responsibilities

• Ensure regulatory requirements are satisfied at all times.
• Lead accreditation readiness efforts and drive improvement capabilities.
• Collaborate with operational leaders and staff to implement methods.
• Analyze workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout to improve quality and efficiency.
• Coordinate with vendors and teams to create standard method validation plans.
• Integrate technology, information systems, and processes to meet needs.
• Develop standard work and share expertise for continuous improvement.
• Utilize PDSA cycles to document improvements.
• Design experiments to evaluate new methods to expand lab services.
• Maintain professional knowledge through education and networks.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Accreditation readiness

Quality improvement

Process optimization

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related field

Master's degree in Health Administration or related field (desirable)

5 years leadership experience

Job description

Essential Functions

• Ensures all requirements of applicable regulatory agencies (federal, state, local) are satisfied at all times. Leads continuous accreditation readiness efforts and collaborates with others in the development of improvement capabilities.
• Facilitates assessments, develops, implements, and evaluates corrective action plans based on past surveys and preparatory tracer activities.
• Collaborates with key teammates (operational leaders, key operators, technical staff, professional partners) for implementation of technical methods in clinical area of expertise.
• Improves quality and efficiency by analyzing and planning workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout in partnership with department leaders.
• Collaborates with vendors, technical directors, quality, and lab team to create a standardized method validation plan for new equipment. Focuses on streamlining implementation, meeting minimal manufacture requirements, while remaining compliant with accreditation agencies.
• Ensures all equipment is implemented in an integrated fashion, optimizing the mix of technology, information systems, and processes to support operational and customer needs.
• Participates in creation of standard work, sharing technical expertise to optimize efficiencies for continuous improvement
• Practice and teach critical thinking and problem-solving skills to create an environment of continuous quality improvement. Identifies performance improvement opportunities that impact operational & quality metrics. Utilizes the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle to document improvements.
• Designs and conducts experiments to evaluate new methods with the goal of furthering the scope, quality, and efficiency of clinical laboratory services.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; and participating in professional societies.

Physical Requirements

Works in a busy environment around physicians, technologists, and visitors. Must be able to actively walk and navigate throughout the work area around equipment. Works in an area which contains infectious materials, chemical hazards, and fire and mechanical hazards. Works in an analytical, physical and managerial environment.

May be required to stoop, reach, and lift light (20 lbs.) to moderately heavy (50 lbs.) loads.

Education, Experience and Certifications

Bachelor Degree in Medical Technology, business, manufacturing, or related field is required. Master's degree in Health Administration, Business, Science or another related field is desirable. A minimum of five 5 years of relevant leadership experience is required. Can include Group Leader experience. Demonstrated track record of achieving results.