Under the general direction of the Laboratory Medical Director and the immediate supervision of the Pathology Director and Director of Laboratory Services, Quality and collaboration with Histology operational managers, NCAL pathology departments and Regional Laboratory Histology Director, directs and controls the Histology departmental specific Laboratory Quality System/Assessment program to improve quality, services, and meet all regulatory requirements.
Essential Functions:
- Manages all histology activities, including recruiting, hiring and training of staff.
- Ensures competency, motivates and encourages professional growth.
- Controls costs by monitoring productivity, personnel utilization, overtime, material usage rates, analyzing fluctuations in types and volumes of tests, and implements corrective actions.
- Participates in the design of Regional Laboratory and Northern California Region integrated laboratory quality system.
- Ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation agencies' rules and regulations.
- Designs and implements effective risk control processes.
- Leads in the research of new and/or improved test development methodologies by: performing experimental testing procedures; validating effectiveness/feasibility for implementation; cost of procedure(s); preparing and submitting recommendation(s) for change to laboratory management and other stakeholders (such as Chiefs of Pathologists).
- Researches and resolves client problem/issues.
- Oversees and coordinates startup and implementation activities resulting from new services or transfer of services.
- Participates in department, inter-department, inter-facility, and inter-regional level projects which help the regional laboratory achieve its goal of providing quality service and client support in a cost effective manner.
- Develops transition plan for new services/tests, outreach programs for transfer of work, timelines, and monitors milestones to achieve service expectations.
- Coordinates internal resources to support new service.
- Serves as primary liaison to RILIS/ITS for ongoing and new issues.
- Develops needs analysis as appropriate. Leads in the integration of secondary laboratory information system with RILIS.
- Kaiser Permanente conducts compensation reviews of positions on a routine basis.
- At any time, Kaiser Permanente reserves the right to reevaluate and change job descriptions, or to change such positions from salaried to hourly pay status.
- Such changes are generally implemented only after notice is given to affected employees.
Secondary Functions:
-Plans, directs and controls an effective Client Services Department Quality System/ Assessment Program to improve quality, services and meet regulatory requirements across Regional Laboratory locations.
-Ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation agencies' requirements.
-Supports the NCAL Laboratory Quality and Compliance System and Regional Laboratories' Quality System.
-Identifies opportunities for and lead in the improvement in quality, service, process, and cost reduction.
-Provides Quality Assessment to staff (through staff meetings, in-services, posting, published newsletters, reports, etc.).
-Ensures effective systematic investigation, cause identification, resolution development, recurrence prevention, categorization, tracking, and summarization of problems or unusual occurrences. Implements improvements or new monitors as appropriate.
-Ensures appropriate, current licensing/certification and renewals for department licensed/certified laboratory personnel.
-Represents the department in the Regional Laboratories' Quality Council and the NCAL Quality and Compliance Managers Committee.
-Partners with other Quality Management peers within Regional Laboratories and NCAL Kaiser Permanente laboratories to provide an integrated laboratory quality system for the NCAL region.
-Collaborates in any horizontal processes in a team oriented environment to assure seamless Regional Laboratories' services.
-Participates in the Regional Laboratories' Internal Assessment program, reports any noted deficiencies and ensures timely completion of corrective action to maintain survey readiness.
-Anticipates, assists in preparation and participates in regulatory and accrediting inspections/facility environmental surveys. Coordinates responses and evidentiary documentation for any deficiencies cited,
- Monitors and ensures completeness of documentation of staff orientation, training and competency assessments per regulatory requirements.
-Complies with and helps enforce department and organization safety policies.
-Leads, coordinates, or participates in quality and compliance related projects and initiatives as needed. - Must be able and willing to travel between Regional Laboratory campus.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications: - Significant experience in high-volume histology laboratory required (usually five years).
- Previous supervisory/managerial experience (usually three years).
- Bachelor's in biological sciences or related field required.
- Master's in science or related field preferred.
- Additional courses in business administration and/or management preferred.
- Certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists.
- Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
-Minimum 5 years experience in a high volume clinical laboratory or complex healthcare delivery system.
-At least 3 years in recent progressive supervisory/management responsibilities.
-Proven strong leadership and human resource skills.
-Demonstrable skills and experience in creating a collaborative work environment and labor management partnership.
-Demonstrable experience in project management, quality system management, process mapping, and regulatory compliance.
-Demonstrable experience in high level of initiative, good judgment, exemplary interpersonal skills, excellent written/verbal communication skills, excellent presentation, and supporting all levels of internal and external clients in a multifaceted, culturally diverse, and complex operation.
-Demonstrable knowledge and/or skills in budgeting, purchasing, staffing, scheduling, and employee coaching/mentoring.
-Knowledge in bargaining union contract applications. Proficient skills in using various computer applications in document creation, statistical analysis, graphic display, and flowcharting. -Ability to beflexible in schedules to meet deadlines or operational requirements as needed.
External hires must pass a background check/drug screen.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.