Director, Lab Service Center Ops

Purpose:

This role is part of the urban lab leadership team and will have direct oversight of the core laboratory operations at UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Mercy, working in close collaboration with the other urban lab operations directors and leaders. This role will be based in the Clinical Lab Building but routinely spend time at these locations. In addition to the core lab functions of these hospitals, this role will play a heavy leadership role in the lab service line for the content areas of point-of-care testing and phlebotomy services. 

The Director, Lab Operations will plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the departmental Laboratory Service Line activities for multiple locations to ensure the achievement of system-wide goals that are consistent with UPMC’s strategic plan. Work collaboratively with the medical staff and department directors to identify and develop programs and services that meet and/or exceed the standards of quality, service, and financial accountability.

Responsibilities:

• Prepares annual operating and capital budgets for all applicable laboratory locations with attention to department and organizational goals; establishes standards of performance and economic constraints; demonstrates creativity and initiative and cost containment and operational effectiveness activities.
• In conjunction with service line leadership, develops and executes service center strategic plans that are consistent with and incorporated into UPMC’s overall strategic plan. Develops and monitors operating plans and operating capital budgets that support the strategic plan.
• Demonstrates ability to establish, maintain an internal/ external network of colleagues to facilitate professional growth, individual/institutional visibility and interdisciplinary collaboration. Projects an image which reflects favorable upon public relations of the organization; participates in professional organizations.
• Analyzes and controls financial performance of pathology/laboratory services to ensure optimal efficiency and resource utilization within defined fiscal parameters relative to testing volume. Demonstrates sound judgment in the planning, allocation and/or authorization of budgeted funds for clinical and program needs. Coordinate with Supply Chain the process of instrument selection and the management of service and reagent contracts.
• Initiates and promotes communication to affect coordinated integration of clinical support services required for comprehensive, interdisciplinary patient care. Enhances administrative efficiencies through effective use of verbal and written communication. Demonstrates sound negotiating skills.
• Recruits and develops a quality staff that meets the values of UPMC; articulates standards of performance that support patient expectations, UPMC policies/procedures and regulatory agency requirements. Enforces progressive disciplinary action appropriately; utilizes timely performance appraisals to provide formal feedback and as a basis for individual goal development.
• Encourages education/teaching/research endeavors consistent with UPMC mission. Formulates strategies for professional advancement and retention; supports the clinical advancement program and identifies opportunities for development appropriate to the level of individual competencies; fosters an environment conducive to innovation and progressive learning.
• Ensures provision of exemplary patient care; validates that care is provided according to current standards of practice; supports and monitors the quality improvement program at the department and institutional level. Ensures patient satisfaction and implements measures to correct perceived inefficiencies in care and service.
• Achieves optimal productivity within established timeframe; able to prioritize multiple demands. Schedules time effectively to meet the deadlines for submission of routine reports and special projects.
• Maintains productive collaborative relationships with physicians, departmental managers and others in the clinical leadership roles to achieve short and long term goals for related programs in clinical services.
• Maintains a physical environment that supports patient, personnel and visitor safety; patient/family comfort and staff efficiency. Implements measures to enhance a professional, aesthetically pleasing environment including appearance and demure of staff, noise level and patient privacy.
• Effectively lives and communicates the mission, vision and values of UPMC; conveys a positive approach in communicating management decisions; engages staff in the development and support of a departmental philosophy and goals consistent with those of the organization.
• Provides direct supervision to service center site management. Collaborates with site operational leadership to ensure transparency and awareness related to site operations. Disseminates information to management and staff to ensure timely and appropriate communication throughout service center.
• Performs special projects as designated. Performs other related duties.
• Monitors compliance with policies of regulatory agencies regarding laboratory safety and environmental health and safety.
• Delegates authority and accountability as appropriate to laboratory leadership for clinical practice in patient care decisions consistent with professional standards in UPMC policies. Facilitates staff involvement in established departmental program, e.g. quality improvement, patient/professional education and new initiatives.