Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Lab Section Lead Tech reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Lab Section Lead Tech must be able to perform repetitive and complex laboratory analysis. The lead tech is responsible to correlate and interpret laboratory data based on knowledge of conditions affecting test results. This position designs, evaluates, and implements new methods. The lead tech is expected to be a working member of the team, proficient in all areas of responsibility and spending most of their time on the bench. The lead tech will supervise the section in the absence of the technical supervisor.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates our NM values of Patients First, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence.
• Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance.
• Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers.
• Addresses questions and concerns promptly, or identifies appropriate person and resources to do so.
• Provides direction or help to patients and customers with finding their way.
• Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
• Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments.
• Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contribution of others.
• Efficiency and Business Growth:
  • Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
  • Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
  • Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
  • Participates in efforts to reduce cost, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide.
• Responds to customer calls in a professional and courteous manner.
• Reports test results accurately over the telephone to appropriate individuals.
• Understands the operation and maintenance of equipment pertinent to job.
• Demonstrates knowledge of reference ranges for the infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient.
• Collects QI data and submits to manager or supervisor in a timely fashion.
• Performs, interprets, and documents QC appropriately.
• Performs weekly QC review and insures all QC documentation is complete.
• Performs all aspects of daily work in a manner that contributes to and ensure an environment of patient safety.
• Performs all aspects of daily work in a manner that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Utilizes resources effectively and contributes to cost containment efforts.
• Assists manager/supervisor in the development of budgets for area of responsibility and meets projected financial targets through fiscal responsibility.
• Prioritizes work correctly and is able to multi-task.
• Oversees directly and indirectly all work performed in the section.
• Reports any issues to the technical supervisor.
• Maintains personal competency for all services under lead techs accountability, and performs services when workload and staffing dictates.
• Performs, interprets, and reviews all tests done in the section according to SOP using scientific knowledge of the principles of test procedures and disease process.
• Recommends contingency testing and follow up.
• Maintains an adequate supply inventory, order approved supplies for section.
• Contributes to financial success of department through efficient use of time, equipment, and supplies.
• Participates in budgeting for section and reviews financial reports to identify variances.
• Evaluates new products and instruments as requested by Technical Supervisor.
• Communication and Collaboration:
  • Participates in organizational and departmental performance improvement activities.
  • Communicates verbally in a clear and concise manner.
  • Demonstrates flexibility and dependability related to scheduling and completing workload.
  • Recommends improvements in lab services and implements changes in concert with responsible technical supervisor.
  • Develops and maintains good working relationship with pathology staff and laboratory staff to assure effective coordination and implementation of lab services.
  • Supports the marketing of lab services to Central DuPage Hospital, HealthLab, and community health care providers in coordination with manager and lab marketing staff.
  • Provides written informative marketing materials to marketing staff for newsletters and Lab Services Manual as requested and/or required.
  • Serves as a resource person to others inside and outside the section.
  • Ensure the workflow is coordinated and prioritized.
• Administration and Documentation:
  • Meets current standards and policies for documentation.
  • Provides documentation that is timely, accurate, up to date, complete and legible.
  • Provides accurate computer and non-computer entries and documentation.
  • Maintains schedule, notifies supervisor of any scheduling problems.
  • Reviews QC/QA records to assure completeness and to identify areas of concern.
  • Report finding to supervisor.
  • Maintains proficiency in computer software necessary for performance of lead duties.
  • Assists the supervisor in the development of budgets for area of responsibility and meets projected financial targets through fiscal responsibility.
  • Collects QI data and submits to manager in a timely fashion.
  • Preforms, interprets, and documents QC appropriately.
  • Performs weekly QC review and insures all QC documentation is complete.
  • Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement Initiatives as requested, submits triennial internal assessments for section.
• Leadership:
  • Demonstrates the values of team concept on a consistent basis.
  • Interacts with all team members in a professional manner.
  • Initiates the meeting of responsibilities without prompting.
  • Informs supervisor of any site related issues such as workload increase/decrease, change in test requests, personnel concerns, etc.
  • Submits suggestions to improve the laboratory's efficiency to appropriate individuals.
  • Creates a positive learning environment when instructing new employees, presents information clearly, concisely and at an appropriate pace.
  • Assists the technical supervisor in the training of new employees.
  • Works with the supervisor to train all employees on new equipment, methods, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

AA/EOE.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's requirement: Upon hire, must provide hard copy of diploma and/or transcripts of a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Allied Health qualifying the applicant to take the national ASCP certifying exam. Must provide proof of Education as stated in the CLIA guidelines.
• Certification Requirement: Must obtain Medical Technologist (MT) (ASCP) or Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) (ASCP) or equivalent certification within 1 year of hire date. Individual must meet requirements for performing high complexity testing as defined by federal licensing guidelines (CLIA) and accreditation agencies (TJC, CAP).
• At least three years of clinical experience in a TJC or CAP accredited laboratory in the section they are to supervise.

Preferred:

• 5 years of clinical lab experience in a TJC or CAP accredited laboratory in the section they are to supervise.

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

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