In 1979, the Rhode Island Blood Center was established by the hospitals in Rhode Island as a private, not for profit agency to collect, test, and distribute blood products. Today, the Rhode Blood Center is a division of New York Blood Center and is among the nation's premium providers of blood products and services and an integral part of the Rhode Island community's health care system. As of December 2018, the Rhode Island Blood Center employs approximately 320 full- and part-time employees. Our employees are committed to the Blood Center's mission of providing a safe and adequate blood for patients within our community. We seek individuals who are caring and compassionate, who take pride in their work, and are looking for a rewarding experience. At the Rhode Island Blood Center, you not only have a job but also the opportunity to make a difference.

For more information about a career with us, please watch the video below:

“Career in Blood” video

Responsible for the operation of their designated team in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), with emphasis on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA), and applicable policies, procedures, and quality initiatives.

Provides day-to-day supervision of personnel, operations, and workflow of the pre-analytical donor testing laboratory and donor testing inventory system. Responsible for the engagement of Laboratory Testing Assistant staff through proper personnel management, training, development, and evaluation.

This position also has general management responsibilities such as payroll approval, scheduling, inventory and ordering of supplies.

Supports and promotes organizational goals, mission, and vision. Contributes to a culture that aligns with organizational values.

Reports to Position:

Manager, Testing Laboratory

Supervision of Positions:

Laboratory Testing Assistants I, II, III

• This position is responsible for oversight of pre-analytic procedures, donor testing laboratory inventory and maintaining records.
• Maintains competency in pre-analytical and donor testing support functions, follows cGMP, with attention to detail.
• Conduct and maintain In-House/Competency with direct observation/evaluation of laboratory testing assistant personnel.
• Promotes an engaged workforce through coaching, mentoring, and developing staff. Conducts regular staff meetings and weekly huddles.
• Develop Performance Evaluation standards. Observe and communicate performance evaluations with staff throughout the year. Provide constructive feedback regularly. Conduct annual performance appraisals in a timely manner and with professionalism. Maintain performance documentation of staff.
• Responsible for hiring staff with the Laboratory Director and Manager.
• Directs day-to-day operation and workflow, promoting efficient processes across all shifts. Manage processes to ensure efficient use of supplies and schedule staff to provide adequate coverage during hours of operation.
• Assist in training staff in new or revised procedures, equipment uses and maintenance procedures and processes.
• Assist in Maintaining training records of staff.
• Maintain donor testing laboratory inventory and order supplies in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
• Address staff errors and equipment failures.
• Conduct effective coaching and/or corrective action meetings for persisting issues or trends, as needed.
• Accessible to staff to provide on-site, telephone, or electronic consultation to resolve technical problems.
• Participates in ongoing investigational studies of equipment, new methods, or clinical trials.
• Troubleshoots equipment, schedules preventative maintenance, maintains a spare parts inventory. Utilizes service recovery responses when appropriate.
• Oversee laboratory inventory management processes for reagent receipt. Tasks include administrative oversight of the Inventory Management System.
• Assist with validation plans and execution as needed.
• Ensures department provides quality customer services to all customers. Monitors production workflow to ensure department meets TAT requirements for internal and external clients. Provides technical assistance to internal and external customers for laboratory related issues.
• Approves PTO requests and performs payroll/timeclock functions.
• Acts as back-up for lab testing assistant related tasks

• Develop and implement new laboratory procedures and equipment following FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and AABB (Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies) practices.

Revise existing procedures, protocols, and forms to maintain a current and accurate procedure manual.

Other Secondary Functions: 

• Promote and contribute to a culture of safety through compliance with all safety SOPs to include wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) i.e., safety goggles, gloves, lab coats and proper shoes. Promptly report all safety violation observations and/or safety concerns.
• Keeps current on blood center issues and reads pertinent materials
• Assists with CAPA and root cause investigations
• Work with Client Services and Donor Testing Supervisors to ensure testing is scheduled as needed.

Education:

High School Diploma or GED

Related Experience

Minimum of four (4) years relevant laboratory experience

Education: Associate degree or higher in related science field, preferred.

Experience: Lead or Supervisory experience, preferred. 

The proposed annual salary for this position is $66,600.  

Schedule: 9-5:30, rotating weekends