Laboratory Informatics Specialist - DCH Health System

The Laboratory Informatics Specialist is responsible to collaborate with laboratory leaders, patient care teams (Quality, Medication Safety, PI, etc.), as well as IT and other Informatics teams to develop laboratory system efficacy.  The Laboratory Informatics Specialist will participate in organizational committees and serve as an expert Laboratory Informatics resource, providing guidance and perspective on the design and development of laboratory information systems to ensure that implementations support and enhance patient care, as well as the organization’s operational and strategic priorities. The Laboratory Informatics Specialist must be able to multi-task, perform all duties independently with strong prioritization skills and be self-directed in utilizing resources to meet objectives.

Laboratory Systems Optimization/Maintenance:   The Laboratory Informatics Specialist will participate and provide clinical input during the laboratory application system review, design, development/build, testing, validation, and implementation to support enhancement of laboratory information systems and end-user optimization. Understands the different laboratory workflows and processes, clinical best practices, and regulatory requirements, resulting in current and future workflow enhancements/upgrades and performance improvements to support laboratory processes.  Monitors and oversees the performance of the laboratory information system to ensure it is functioning correctly and meeting the needs of the organization. Performs additions or modification to the lab database for new tests, reference ranges, critical values, coded comments, medical device interfaces, referral lab interfaces, new service resources, collection containers, specimen types, special reports, and any other lab database changes for accurate results reporting.  Performs validation on changes, upgrades, or modifications to the current integrated information system with coordination with IT and other Informatics teams. Able to multi-task, perform duties independently with strong prioritization skills and is self-directed in utilizing resources to meet objectives. Will communicate with providers and clinical staff and serves as a resource during downtime of critical systems.

Workflow and Process Improvement:  Develops and maintains a strong, effective working relationship with laboratory leaders and staff, as well as IT and other Informatics teams to ensure design application changes meet the organizational need. Maintains a visual presence within the laboratory departments, serves as a resource for laboratory staff to assist and facilitate workflow and process improvement initiatives. Provides laboratory education materials, at the elbow support, and training of EHR functionality and clinical workflows to support laboratory educational needs and adoption.  Effectively receives, investigates and resolves issues reported by staff, providers and laboratory leadership related to software, workflows and/or processes.  Will work to determine root cause(s) of problems/failures in collaboration with laboratory leadership, IT and other Informatics teams, while following the laboratory department and operational change management processes.  Ensures that all laboratory related changes are communicated to the laboratory leadership team in a timely manner. Participates in informatics on-call coverage to ensure laboratory processes are supported at all times.

Committee Support: Leads or participates in interdisciplinary committee(s), with a focus on IT solutions for improving laboratory processes such as OMT, Operational Change Management, etc., and communicates all follow-ups with identified stakeholders. Assists with process improvement activities and IT related patient safety opportunities to include Laboratory requests for IT changes, RCA/FMEA for laboratory related IT issues, TJC (The Joint Commission) readiness assistance, laboratory accreditation and inspections, development of laboratory safety rules within the EMR, new tests, reference ranges, critical values, coded comments, medical device and referral lab interfaces, any other lab database changes for accurate results reporting. Maintains policies and procedures for the Laboratory Informatics section concerning accreditation inspections (CLIA, CAP, TJC, and ADH, etc.).  Assists laboratory leaders with network access and security to ensure correct access to applications.

Other Duties as Assigned:  Other miscellaneous duties and responsibilities as assigned.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

1. Position requires a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science or a lab related field.
2. Three years or more of general laboratory experience is required. Five years or more of general laboratory experience is preferred. 
3. Certification as MT/MLS or specialist/technologist certification in any laboratory discipline is required. Specialist Certification in any laboratory discipline (e.g., BB, Chem, Immunology, etc.) is preferred.
4. Experience in using Meditech and/or previous experience in Laboratory Informatics is preferred.
5. Ability to work independently, and manage multiple projects with strong prioritizing skills.
6. Evidence of commitment to enhance professional growth and development through participation in continued educational programs, current literature, meetings, and trainings.
7. Strong Critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
9. Microsoft Office – basic skills preferred (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
10. Exhibits interpersonal skills and abilities to deal effectively with all levels of personnel.
11. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
12. A CPHIMS or AMIA Informatics certification will be required within 18 months for any Laboratory Informatics Specialist hired prior to November 17, 2023. Any Laboratory Informatics Specialist hired after November 17, 2023, a CPHIMS or AMIA Informatics certification will be required within 2 years of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Context

• Includes coordinating and leading others, demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

Physical Factors

• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• May require extended work hours and on-call coverage.

• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking. 

• Is able to do frequent stooping and, on occasion, crouching, crawling or kneeling. Ability to reach reasonable distance in any direction needed.  Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.  Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Includes infrequent exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, laboratory chemicals and hazardous material. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment. 

• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Normal color vision for those tasks requiring color differentiation.