November 19, 2024

TriCore Reference Laboratories

Albuquerque

FULL TIME

Technical Operations Coordinator

Job ID #: 15193

City, State: Albuquerque

Functional Area: Health/Medical

Department Name: PH Admin/Clerical

Position Type: Regular - Full Time

Education Required: See Minimum Qualifications

Experience Required: See Minimum Qualifications

Relocation Provided: No

Job Summary

Provide oversight, monitoring, implementation, auditing and supervision of quality processes for technical operation areas. Responsible for ensuring the efficient operations of activities including work flow, sustaining Lean and other process improvement practices tools. Monitor QA, ITS, proficiency and competency to ensure standardized best practices throughout assigned areas. Support the implementation and sustainment of the Quality Management System. Assist the departments Supervisors, Managers, and Director in implementing and sustaining department training, Quality Assurance, Compliance, accreditation standards, workflow and efficiency. Responsible for personnel supervision and supervisor support as needed to ensure efficient day-to-day operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

QA/Compliance
1. Responsible for the supervision, maintaining adherence and monitoring of quality assurance programs and processes in Technical Operations.
a. Assist Manager, Director, or Medical/Scientific Director with quality assurance programs to ensure that quality standards are met. Demonstrates ability to constantly improve quality standards
b. Lead, facilitate and/or participate in Quality Management, Quality Improvement and other process improvement teams as directed.
c. Collaborate with process owners to create and maintain adherence and standardized approach to quality processes and procedures.
d. Establish and monitor for compliance, audits of quality processes.
e. Conduct meetings to review production-tracking data, daily accountability, and quality metrics
f. Utilize structured root cause analysis to expose and solve problems.
g. Prepare and provide regular reports to managers related to operational quality processes.
h. Assist departments in standardizing processes in compliance with ISO standards. Develop means of ongoing monitoring for compliance of standards and detection of nonconformities.
2. Take steps to ensure that the departments are in compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements. Communicate potential compliance issues to the manager/director and Compliance Officer as required.
3. Contribute to responses to accreditation and regulatory bodies and prepares for inspections.
4. Maintains effective communication and coordination with the Quality and Compliance departments, and other departments within the organization and with external clients.

Workflow / Efficiency
1. Work with departments to ensure the monitoring of technical department(s) workflow is continually being performed. Ensure processes and systems are in place so that section personnel are scheduled in effective and efficient ways within the budgeted FTE allotment.
2. Review workflow to determine areas of backlog. Problem-solve to resolve any workflow issues and respond in a timely manner with suggestions for improvement.
a. Define, implement, and supervise to sustain standard work for technical staff, support staff, and value stream leaders.
b. Implement and monitor the use of visual controls necessary to manage lean processes.
c. Conduct and participate on kaizen or process improvement teams to constantly improve processes.
d. Ensure lean laboratory production by maintaining lean management practices.
3. Collaborate cross-functionally throughout all levels of the technical operations to support efforts to define, improve and maintain and ensure integration of process improvement practices.
4. Evaluate processes and process information to determine standards and establish quality and service level objectives.
5. Analyze current processes and gather and analyze information and data pertaining to workflow, workspace and facility design to identify and define operational problems.
a. Study operational processes, specimen flow, and transactional inputs and outputs to determine worker functions and responsibilities and develop process maps/flows.
b. Evaluate and recommend changes to work processes by acquiring knowledge of methods procedures, activities, schedules, and specimen arrival rates.
c. Evaluate and recommend changes to supply management systems within departments, ensuring processes are established to maintain efficient and consistent supply and inventory system
6. Work with laboratory personnel to coordinate process improvements and activities to resolve operational problems, maximize service levels, and minimize cost.
7. Collaborate with management and lab personnel to develop standard work and operational/performance metrics.
8. Assist with developing processing methods, labor utilization standards, and cost analysis systems to promote efficient staff and facility utilization. Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, equipment and utilities.
9. Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure implementation of best practices.
10. Establish effective means of compiling data from incident tracking system and working with departments to implement corrective action
a. Compiles data from incident tracking system
b. Analyzes data for trends and areas of service and process improvement
c. Recommend areas of improvement and help develop plan to address

Training
1. Work with leadership teams to ensure standard structure of orientation and training programs across the technical operations
2. Assist staff members with questions and problem-solving issues.
3. Assists in the creation and review of clinical education and training material (procedures, technical communication, and presentations) as needed for employees, students as well as internal and external customers.

Supervisory
1. Maintain appropriate channels of communication within assigned area.
a. Provide information to section staff regarding relevant information concerning workload, work flow, process and procedure changes and general information.
b. Listen effectively and with the purpose of understanding employee concerns, questions, ideas and opinions. Actively solicit staff input and feedback.
c. Participate in and assist in coordinating department meetings on a regular basis.
d. Communicate with staff in a courteous and respectful manner.
e. Meet on a regular basis with supervisor/manager for goal setting, feedback, direction and follow through.
2. Maintain an up-to-date understanding of new requirements through continuing education.
3. Actively support and assist in the implementation of department procedures, policies and strategies to support the corporate vision, values and strategic plans.
4. Ensure timely response to customer inquiries. Effectively assess problems and develop solutions.
5. Provide and prepare reports for the department supervisor and/or Manager as requested.
6. Handle all correspondence in a timely manner.
7. Independently manage a diverse array of projects and tasks using a collaborative style

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION

Associate Degree in biological or chemical science/laboratory sciences or equivalent.
Bachelor’s Degree in biological or chemical science/laboratory sciences or equivalent.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:
Meet one of the following:

Bachelor’s Degree with four (4) years relevant experience to the section for Clinical Areas.
Associate Degree with six (6) years relevant experience to the section for Clinical Areas.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Experience in direct application of process improvement tools such Lean or Six Sigma.
Experience working with and managing clinical laboratory Quality Assurance / Quality Control programs.
Clear understanding of and experience with attaining CAP and ISO 15189 accreditation standards.

PREFERENCES:

Bachelor’s Degree with at least two (2) years relevant experience to the section for Clinical Areas.
At least one (1) year supervisory experience.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.