This position is responsible for overseeing laboratory operations and leading the Donor Testing technical team. As defined by CLIA/NYSDOH, key duties include managing sample processing, ensuring accurate test performance, and maintaining documentation of test records for reporting results in a high-complexity laboratory serving multiple internal and external clients.

This position supports and promotes organizational goals, mission, and vision; contributing to a culture that aligns with organizational values.

Supervision Exercised:

This position does not supervise staff.

Supervision of Positions:

Under general supervision of assigned managerial staff.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Technical Competency: Maintains competency in all (pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic) donor testing functions and follows current Good Manufacturing Processes.

• This position performs only those tests that are authorized by the CLIA laboratory director and performs only those tests that require a degree of skill commensurate with the individual's education, training or experience, and technical abilities.
• This position must possess competency in all skills and duties of subordinate Laboratory Testing Technologist positions, including documentation, inventory management, quality control, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance, etc.

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Documents and assists with investigations for problems encountered during routine lab operations including unusual test results, discrepancy in test controls, controls outside established normal limits, or equipment malfunctions.

• Performs advanced troubleshooting procedures.
• Provides requested data and assists during vendor investigations.

• Error Management: Performs and documents investigations for department Deviations and Error Tracking. Collaborates with department leadership to create preventative and/or corrective actions to prevent reoccurring issues.
• Quality Management: Performs review of equipment out of service documentation, entering and reviewing deviations, and approving staff CEUs. Notifies department leadership of reoccurring issues or trends. Performs comparative methods of testing and documentation.

• Technical Admin Tasks: Acts as a resource for staff for technical problems, providing troubleshooting support and guidance.

• Acts as Subject Matter Expert (SME) backup for all Donor Testing platforms.
• Performs Laboratory Information System (LIS) administrator functions.
• Rotates on call and final release with other department Technical Leads (including weekends and holidays).

• Validations: Executes and/or reviews validation protocols for new equipment, test methods, and laboratory information systems.
• Document Control: Provides input during the creation of new regulated documents and assists with updating department documents as needed.
• Customer Service: Provides excellent customer service to both external and internal customers. Utilizes service recovery responses when appropriate. Responds to customer inquiries to address questions, issues, or concerns related to testing issues or requesting technical guidance.
• Competency Assessments: Conducts CLIA and Non-CLIA competency assessments with appropriate follow-up and recommendations using the competency assessment process/tools.
• Team Leadership: Positively mentors and educates staff on Donor Testing processes. Fosters teamwork and communication within the team and with external partners. Engages in organizational activities, educational opportunities, and leadership training. Promotes and encourages participation in the employee recognition program and actively participates in department engagement initiatives.

Secondary Functions:

• Additional Regulatory Compliance: Satisfactorily performs assigned proficiency testing in the same manner as donor samples and always follows Good Manufacturing Processes, with attention to detail. Successful completes annual competency assessment programs and annual organizational training.
• Continuous Improvement: Completes required continuing education credits to meet national or state regulatory requirements.
• Research and Clinical Trials: Participates in clinical trials and/or investigational studies of reagents, equipment, or new test methods.
• Change Management: Attends cross-departmental Change Management meetings when designated as project stakeholder, completes project deliverables by deadlines.
• Tours and Student Rotations: Hosts in-person tours of the laboratory for visiting Residents and Fellows. Conducts virtual and in-person Infectious Disease Testing rotations for MLS/MLT/SBB students, Residents, and Fellows.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science (CLS/MLS/MT).

or

Bachelor of Science degree in chemical or biological science, with minimum requirement of 6 credits of biology and 6 credits of chemistry completed

or

BA in core sciences (approval is dependent on transcript review). Must meet testing personnel requirements as described in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 for Highly Complex Laboratory.

Related Experience:

4 years' experience in a high-complexity laboratory.

Blood Donor Testing experience is highly preferred. Training at NYBCe as a Laboratory Technologist III or equivalent training on related testing platforms to be able to perform all NYBCe Donor Testing platforms.

Leadership experience preferred.

Required Licenses/Certification: 

National Certification in Medical Laboratory Science (ASCP or equivalent).

Schedule: 2 - 10 hour days (7am to 5:30pm) and every 3rd weekend required.

Proposed rate of pay: $36 - $39./hr.

Founded in 1979, Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) has served Rhode Island and the New England area for more than 45 years, delivering more than 90,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 50+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. RIBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biopharmaceutical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. RIBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit ribc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.