Supervisor of Reference Laboratory

At The Blood Connection, every role plays a part in saving lives. Join our team and help make an impact in your community today!

Position Overview

The Supervisor of Reference Laboratory is responsible for working with the Manager of Technical Services to oversee the daily operations of the immunohematology reference laboratory. Duties include assisting with developing and maintaining procedures, supervising reference laboratory staff, performing bench work, and interfacing with hospital laboratory staff. With direction from the Manager of Technical Services, this position is also responsible for procuring units to ensure The Blood Connection is able to meet the needs of hospital customers, as well as providing rare units to other hospitals/blood banks when available. This position requires general laboratory knowledge and skills and is expected to perform tasks as well as supervise the performance of laboratory staff.

Essential Functions

Immunohematology Reference Laboratory: IRL Testing Services includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Red blood cell antibody identification: single antibody specificity, multiple antibody specificities
• Red blood cell autoantibody evaluations: warm autoantibody, cold autoantibody
• Red blood cell antibodies: drug-dependent antibodies
• Antigen-negative red blood cell components: single antigen, multiple antigen, and high-prevalence antigen-negative
• Transfusion reaction investigations
• ABO discrepancy investigations
• Access to the American Rare Donor Program for rare red blood cell components
• Investigation of positive DAT samples
• Poly agglutination investigations
  
  

Primary Duties

• Develops and implements all practices/processes/staff development, etc. necessary to obtain IRL accreditation (AABB/CLIA)
• Assures that all standards are met to maintain IRL accreditation
• Performs, interprets, and advises staff in basic through advanced/complex test results related to immunohematology reference samples
• Consults and communicates with hospital blood banks in the resolution of serological problems, provision of antigen negative/compatible components and/or special units
• Performs, reviews, and approves records, results, and files
• Maintains adequate supplies of reagents and materials
• Assures compliance with safety policies and procedures in the work area
• Develops guidelines and establishes expected turnaround times for customer requests
• Reviews records to ensure prompt and accurate billing for service
• Schedules staff to meet customer expectations
• Rare Unit Inventory and Procurement Practices
• Works with HS staff, production planning staff, and laboratory staff to procure, recruit, and freeze (when applicable) rare units to enable adequate inventory levels
• Participates with American Rare Donor Program (ARDP) when necessary to facilitate a national search for rare units AND to make available rare units when requested
• Develops processes to perform antigen screening for untested donors which are cost effective and automated (when possible)
• Develops relationships with hospital clients to establish programs/products to meet the needs of reoccurring sickle-cell patients
  
  

Product Quality Control Responsibilities

• Develops and/or revises policies/procedures when needed
• Supervises and instructs staff responsible for completing quality control on products
  
  

Operational Responsibilities

• Provides professional, courteous, and prompt service
• Responsible for maintenance, repair, and validation of laboratory equipment (and/or contact with vendors to resolve problems)
• Complies with The Blood Connection Policies and Procedures
• Performs additional review of regulated documents, logs, records, and forms as directed
  
  

Miscellaneous

• Other duties as assigned or required
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• MT(ASCP), MLS(ASCP), or MLT(ASCP)
• Previous supervisory experience preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively, tactfully, and courteously to patrons, donors, sponsors, and co-workers
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines
• Strong computer skills including intermediate skill level with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work with all levels and in a diverse work environment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, and peers
  
  

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting up to 25 pounds
• Sitting, standing, or walking for an extended period of time
• Bending and twisting
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled