Laboratory Scientist Lead

Position Summary
To assist the Supervisor of the Clinical Laboratory in the proper operation of the laboratory and provide technical direction to technologists in performing basic and more complex clinical technologist services: analyzing specimens; performing quality control testing; troubleshooting equipment problems; performing instrument maintenance; and preparing patient data for reporting. To produce accurate test results for all patients.

Essential Duties

1. Performs high complexity tests that are authorized by the laboratory leadership and reviews testing performance as applicable. Adheres to, writes, and reviews the laboratory’s quality control policies, documenting all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed.
2. Follows the laboratory’s and NJH established policies and procedure manuals. Is responsible to ensure staff has reviewed and signed laboratory and personnel SOP as directed by the supervisor. Is responsible for completing NetLearning in a timely manner. Follows specific biosafety standards for the laboratory and protocols for handling potentially infectious material.
3. Participates and maintains records that demonstrate that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens. Reviews and coordinates proficiency testing as directed. Conducts staff re-education as applicable.
4. Adheres to the laboratory quality control policies, documenting all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed. Performs QC review as necessary. Immediately addresses any significant issues or trends observed with supervisor.
5. Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications. Performs root cause analysis of events as directed by supervisor. Monitors data for trends and immediately reports any trends observed to supervisor.
6. Follows GxP (e.g., GLP, GCLP, GCP, etc.) standards as defined by different national and international organizations (e.g., ISO, FDA, OECD, etc.) when required for clinical or preclinical trials. Leads, in partnership with supervisor, in preparation for inspections where required.
7. Performs, observes, and reviews competencies (including age-specific competencies and/or non-human species) as identified through the departmental competency program. Is responsible for all departmental staff adherence to competency protocol and departmental SOPs.
8. Continually improves laboratory operations and performs extra projects of increasing complexity and skill and completes projects as directed and approved by the supervisor. Helps laboratory supervisor review and update procedure manuals and prepare for laboratory audits and inspections.
9. Is responsible for maintaining and ordering appropriate levels of reagents and consumables in the laboratory at all times.
10. Functions as technical supervisor or general supervisor (per CLIA and CAP) as applicable. Provides direction and guidance in testing operations as directed by supervisor.
11. Leads the work of co-workers providing effective communication, direction, guidance and resources as appropriate.
12. Responsible for implementation and validation, under leadership of the laboratory supervisor, of new procedures, as well as new regulations introduced by governing bodies.
13. Attends continuing education programs sponsored by National Jewish, manufacturer in-services and/or professional society programs. Obtains at least 12 approved CEU credits per year including but not limited to the following: webinars, lunch and learn seminars, seminars, etc.

Competencies

1. Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to National Jewish Health.
2. Laboratory Knowledge: Has thorough knowledge of disease states and diagnosis involved in laboratory testing methods; has thorough knowledge of clinical laboratory methodology and keeps abreast of developments in alternate methodology, emerging trends and new competitors.
3. Creativity: Recognizes the need for new or modified approaches to systems and processes; is creative in changing processes, systems, methods, products, structure and services; will be creative in solutions in areas beyond their own.
4. Customer Focus: Brokers customer and physician relationships with other complementary service providers or departments; actively seeks to understand customer, physician and patient needs beyond current assignment or project; proactively shares new knowledge with colleagues, clients and physicians.
5. Decision Quality: Owns the decision and is accountable for outcomes; makes good decisions, based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment.
6. Drive for Results: Leads the laboratory in productivity and assists others in increasing their personal productivity; is extremely engaged with the work and is willing to go above and beyond to meet and/or exceed department objectives and needs; collaboratively works with internal and external customers to identify and pursue a shared goal; listens to internal and external customers’ needs and creates/designs strategic or tactical plans to address those needs; drives the completion and maintains ongoing monitoring of laboratory initiatives.
7. Informing Communicating: Deals diplomatically with sensitive situations and considers suitability of times and place for such discussions; coaches others in writing techniques and appropriate communication forums. Addresses issues as they arise or within an appropriate time interval; effectively uses all forms of communication; Informs coworkers/leadership of when work product may be affected. Identifies key issues to pursue for maximum input rather than arguing every point; demonstrates ability to restate others’ positions accurately—reflecting both facts and feelings; maintains long-term objectives while resolving short-term challenges.
8. Adaptability: Thrives on multiple changes in direction or assignments; explains rationale for change to others and encourages their support. Balances competing demands of multiple projects by setting priorities, communicating change, and meeting deadlines; recovers quickly from setbacks and maintains focus under stress; can handle multiple changes in direction or assignments; consistently learns quickly when facing new problems; embraces change and unfamiliar tasks; consistently analyzes both success and failure to determine how to improve; maintains open mind and willingness to try new ideas or approaches; analyzes both success and failure to determine how to improve; has a desire to learn.
9. Professional Relationships: Turns conflict situations into learning experiences with positive outcomes for relationships and work; participates in and leads focused, collaborative, results-driven teams; coaches others on forming and maintaining quality professional relationships; works to establish a positive environment with all staff consistently.
10. Perseverance/Resourcefulness: Has impressive ability to find ways over, under, around and through barriers; invents new paradigms; actively works to apply new approaches to existing challenges; regarded as a source of information by others; Demonstrates innovation. Appropriately challenges "the way it has always been done" to achieve best possible outcomes.
11. Problem Solving: Comes up with many potential sources for answers; leads team in problem definition or key issue identification; solves problems creatively when others have become discouraged and negative; proactively explores new ideas and solutions and has repeat success in bringing problems or projects to positive resolution; able to rapidly perform complex analysis, accurately assess situations and thinks beyond the problem.

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility
Leads the work of others.

Travel
None

Core Values

1. Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
2. Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
3. Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
4. Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
5. Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures.
6. Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
7. Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, or related scientific field and
2. Work Experience: Four years of recent and related laboratory experience required. A Master’s degree may substitute for work experience.
3. Special Training, Certification or Licensure: None

Salary Range: $30.00 - $40.00

Benefits
At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset. With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Multiple Cigna health plans for Colorado, regional office and remote employees. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) available to pair with some plans.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO accruals to use for vacation and sick days, and six paid holidays, all compliant with Colorado state sick leave regulations.
• Dental & Vision Plans: Coverage effective the first of the month after hire.
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with employer contributions after two years.
• Wellness Incentives: Earn up to $200 annually for preventive health activities.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually for full-time and part-time employees.
• Child Care Assistance: Childcare Flex Spending Account (FSA) with annual employer contribution.
• Loan Forgiveness: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.
• Disability & Life Insurance: Employer-paid plans and optional buy-up choices.
• Voluntary Benefits: Full suite of coverage options such as Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Plan
• Exclusive Discounts: Savings on local services, insurance, and RTD bus passes.