Assistant Director, Laboratory Operations - Cayuga Medical Center

Job Title: Assistant Director, Operations

Departments: Laboratory

Reports To: Administrative Director of Laboratory

Job Summary: Holds overall managerial responsibility for the operations of the laboratory for Cayuga Health System. Responsibilities include planning, development, and implementation of laboratory services for inpatient, outpatient, and outreach; leadership of a team of laboratory managers, supervisors, leads, and production staff; quality control and quality management, performance improvement, and regulatory compliance as assigned. Works constructively with the administrative and medical directors of laboratory, pathology, and blood bank services. Assists in achievement of designated objectives and plans identified in the enterprise strategic planning process. Works collaboratively with other system and departmental staff, department heads, and medical staff. This position has oversight for laboratory activities at critical access hospital, Oncology Laboratory, and joint venture reference laboratory, as assigned. Responsible for initiatives and partnerships related to research and development for the organization.

Job Responsibilities include:

• - Strategic Leadership
  • Supports and advances the mission, vision, and values of Cayuga Health.
  • In conjunction with the administrative and medical directors, plans, develops, and implements services that support the patient care efforts of the medical staff, meet enterprise strategic objectives, and are consistent with the enterprise strategic plan.
  • Evaluates and proposes changes in equipment and services.

• Operations Management
  • Exercises stewardship of resources used such as labor, supplies, and contracted services, and maintains efficiency of operations.
  • Writes or oversees writing of staff schedules that ensure seamless quality of services.
  • Works constructively with supply chain to optimize purchasing and contract terms.
  • Assumes leadership responsibility in research-driven initiatives
  • Oversees remote and affiliated laboratory serves for the Health System.

• - Personnel Management
  • Encourages and enables professional education and development of the lab management team and all department staff
  • Supports and encourages a fair, inclusive work environment that is perceived by staff as respectful of their abilities, and individual and team contributions.
  • Establishes and uses performance standards used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of designated personnel.
  • Performs functions of recruiting/hiring and staffing, employee evaluations, counseling, and discipline.
  • Assists with departmental employee engagement efforts, human resources concerns.
  • Supports and encourages Just Culture as a performance improvement tool.

• - Regulatory, Legal, and Compliance
  • Maintains knowledge of applicable standards of CLIA, NYS CLEP, TJC, FDA, OSHA.
  • Composes and maintains policies, procedures, maintenance records, records of orientation, training, competency assessment, quality control, and quality management as needed for reliable operations and regulatory compliance.
  • Collaborates with laboratory management team to maintain laboratory services certification, licensure, and accreditation.

• - Quality, Patient Safety, and Patient Experience
  • Actively participates in the laboratory quality management system, performance improvement efforts, workplace safety, and patient safety.
  • Helps ensure that the laboratory quality management system is effectively integrated with the enterprise quality assurance and performance improvement plan.
  • Encourages use of evidence-based and expert consensus-based clinical guidelines throughout the processes of the laboratory.
  • Supports and encourages use of modern quality tools such as Lean and Six Sigma, and best practices from industry organizations such as AABB, CLSI, ASM
  • Maintains expert understanding of the quality control and proficiency testing activities in all relevant sections of the laboratory.
• - Is flexible in assuming other appropriate responsibilities not noted above.

Requirements:

Education - Required: Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent. Preferred: Relevant master's degree, MLS(ASCP) and specialist ASCP certification. Equivalent or similar credentials may be acceptable.

Experience - Required: 4 years' bench experience in a NYS-permitted clinical laboratory. Preferred: 10 years' experience managing relevant sections of a hospital laboratory. Equivalent or similar credentials may be acceptable. Prefer experience with managing multiple laboratories within a Health System.

Licensure - Required: New York State Clinical Laboratory Technologist.

Physical Requirements - Repetitive use of hands and fingers, such as use of computer mouse and keyboard. May require use of lifting and carrying light loads up to 10 pounds. Sitting and/or standing for long periods of time.

Cayuga Health System Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Cayuga Health System commits to treat all people with dignity so that everyone who comes to us is safe, cared for, and respected. We will support the growth of our employees and the health of our community by embracing the rich diversity of social and cultural identities, needs, and life circumstances of all people. We strive to recognize and overcome personal biases and systemic policies that marginalize others and contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care, and good health outcomes.

Cayuga Health is dedicated to our vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As we strive towards our vision, we welcome the opportunity to work alongside a diverse range of employees.