Summary

Plans, directs, coordinates and monitors all Histology initiatives, policies and procedures within assigned departments including but not limited to Quality Systems program, audits, monitoring of Laboratory Information System, monitoring status of staff credentials, training, competencies and certification of equipment. Confers with Administration, Medical Director, Laboratory Director, and Quality Manager to ascertain Baylor College of Medicine needs related to Laboratory Services while ensuring activities are in accordance with accreditation standards and Baylor College of Medicine Administrative policies. 

Job Duties

• Anticipate staffing needs. Interview job applicants for the department. Schedule department personnel. Cooperate with other supervisors to meet the needs for laboratory staffing while complying with staffing standards.
• Provide supervision of histology personnel. Works collaboratively with peers to develop staffing models and succession planning.
• Provide orientation and training to all histology personnel and histology students.
• Engage, coach and mentor team members based on talents and professional aspirations and business need.
• Document deviations from performance and behavior standards and implements improvement plans in coordination with the Laboratory Director and Human Resources.
• Assist staff with conflict resolution and problem solving.
• Assume active role in the development and mentoring of staff. Assure employees follow safety standards and practices.
• Maintain technical proficiencies to assist in areas of assigned responsibility if needed.
• In conjunction with the Medical Director, Laboratory Director, and Administration select equipment.
• Write, review and revise procedures and maintenance protocols.
• Ensure that procedures and manuals are reviewed according to schedule.
• Resolve technical problems and ensure that all remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the laboratory's established performance specifications.
• Manage supply inventory.
• Ensure inventory is sufficient and within expiration dates.
• Acts as an escalation point for staff and clients as needed.
• Support growth, standardization, and consolidation initiatives.
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately.
• Ensure staff is performing at acceptable levels and addresses issues of low performance when required.
• Work with the Medical Director, Laboratory Director and Quality Manager to maintain accreditation, regulatory, safety and environmental standards.
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain a calm work environment using conflict resolution, encouragement, motivational skills, and interpersonal tools.
• Utilize critical thinking skills and demonstrates fact-based decision-making capabilities to address areas of deficiency.
• Recognize, identify, and engage in opportunities for continuous process improvement.
• Management of affiliated laboratories to include but not limited to, accreditation, inventory, training, and staffing.
• Assist the Laboratory Director with management of digital pathology scanner deployment, validations, training, and maintenance.
• In conjunction with the Medical Director, Laboratory Director and Quality Manager, establish metrics and parameters for acceptable levels of analytic performance of the quality control program. Ensure that these levels are maintained throughout the entire testing process.
• Provide monthly productivity stats with one-on-one employee feedback.
• Evaluate the competency of all histology personnel and assure the staff maintains their competency to perform test procedures and report test results promptly, accurately and proficiently.
• Evaluate and document the performance of individuals at least semiannually during the first year the individual tests patient specimens. Thereafter, evaluations must be performed at least annually unless test methodology or instrumentation changes, in which case, prior to reporting patient test results, the individual's performance must be reevaluated to include the use of the new test methodology.
• Assure compliance with proficiency testing and other regulatory agency standards.
• Ensure program is commensurate with services offered.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, or biological science.
• Five years of relevant experience.
• Certified Histology Technician and/or Histotechnologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC).

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid registration as a Histotechnician HT(ASCP) or Histotechnologist HTL(ASCP) via the American Society of Clinical Pathologist or equivalent
• Strong desire to work as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational and communication skills