Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, LABORATORY SERVICES DIVISION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This is a clinical manager position in the Newborn Screening area of the Nashville Public Health Laboratory.

For more information, visit the link below:

PH_Lab_Manager_1-Clinical.pdf (tn.gov)

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in physical sciences (e.g. chemistry), ecology, life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology, biochemistry or biophysics), medical laboratory science, pre-medicine, or other acceptable science, and one year of full-time professional work in the related field.

OR

Successful completion of an accredited, four year medical laboratory scientist program, and one year of full-time professional work in the related field.

A transcript with ALL credits is required to be uploaded with an employment application in order that the agency is able to properly evaluate a candidate's eligibility for a position in this classification.

Other Requirements

Necessary Special Qualifications: A PH Lab Manager 1 performing Clinical, duties the major portion of their time must be licensed as a Medical Laboratory Supervisor or Medical Laboratory Director by the Tennessee Department of Health.

Clinical is defined as Human Samples/Specimens.

A PH Lab Manager 1 performing Chemist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, including at least 32 credit hours in the following areas: (1) general chemistry, (2) organic chemistry, (3) quantitative analysis, (4) instrumental analysis and (5) physical chemistry.

A PH Lab Manager 1 performing Aquatic Biologist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 32 credit hours in biology, in one of the following areas: (1) biology or biological sciences, (2) botanical sciences, (3) environmental or conservation sciences, (4) zoological sciences, or (5) aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field. Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license throughout the duration of employment.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Job Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for routine laboratory work of considerable difficulty, as it relates to clinical, chemistry, microbiological, environmental, biological and/or molecular areas; supervisory work of routine difficulty; and performs other tasks as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the first supervisory class in the PH Laboratory Manager series.An employee in this class performs supervisory work of routine difficulty and of smaller scope and complexity. This class differs from the PH Laboratory Manager 2 in that an incumbent of the latter performs supervisory work of average difficulty and greater scope and complexity.

Work Activities

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Establishes quality control guidelines and assures they are met.
• Uses relevant or appropriate guidelines to determine whether test results are reportable based on laboratory, federal and/or state established policies and procedures.
• Ensures confidentiality of patient information according to state and federal guidelines.
• Monitors expiration dates of chemicals and supplies, disposing of expired materials as required by safety rules and regulations.
• Examines all laboratory materials including samples to determine safe handling procedures are followed

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

• Prioritizes and organizes tasks in order to complete them in an assigned timeframe.
• Implements a cross-training program to maximize unit staff development and to avoid interruption of workflow.
• Assigns work to personnel within the unit such that a smooth workflow is maintained at maximum efficiency.
• Oversees and prepares various types of specimens for laboratory testing

Training and Teaching Others:

• Trains section in laboratory procedures.
• Develop and delivers training programs for students as required.
• Identifies, develops and/or provides all the training, documentation, hands-on tools for staff to develop full functional competency.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates:

• Provides guidance and direction to direct reports through performance reviews.
• Develops job performance plans, interim reviews and annual performance evaluations to inform employees of their work progress.
• Conducts benchmark meetings with individual direct reports to provide guidance, direction, motivation, accolades and suggestions for improvement.
• Conducts regularly held unit meetings to discuss work status, to plan for future work to solve problems in daily work and to inform the manager and staff of any organizational changes.

Getting Information:

• Performs analytical testing step-by-step as outlines by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) based on required methodologies.
• Designs and/or coordinates experimental investigations and laboratory research.
• Receives incoming samples from sampling agencies, information from websites, methodology information and information from clients to perform specific test.

Processing Information:

• Compiles, calculates, categorizes and verifies information or data for appropriateness of reporting.
• Calculates results in methodology specified units, accurately interprets results based on laboratory reporting requirements.
• Compiles papers or reports or prepare SOP's and specifications for processes, facilities, products or tests.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources:

• Monitors and controls reagents and consumables to ensure an adequate supply for testing needs.
• Submits equipment/supply requests for procurement within the appropriate timeframe to ensure adequate equipment/supplies are on hand.
• Makes recommendations for large expenditures for the unit to upper management for approval.
• Monitors unit inventory equipment and/or supplies to ensure the unit has the necessary equipment and/or supplies to perform functions.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

• Evaluates analytical output for correctness (e.g., quality control data) and addresses inaccuracies as they arise.
• Analyzes information and evaluates results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Analyzes, communicates and implements resolutions to various issues as they arise.

Developing and Building Teams:

• Using team building, leadership skills and effective communication skills to encourage and instruct others in their work activities.
• Modeling effective performance for co-workers and assigned subordinates to provide a role model, encourage success in others and enhance trust.
• Identifying developmental opportunities appropriate for assigned subordinates to improve team development.

Analyzing Data or Information:

• Interprets results of sample testing from various laboratory outputs to ensure accurate reporting.
• Analyzes data by breaking information down into separate pieces and determining its utility.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

• Communicates status of assigned tasks or other relevant information to supervisors, peers or subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.
• Establishes and develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with all laboratory staff and maintains them over time.
• Provides relevant information through the chain of command by either telephone, in written form, email or in person.

Performing Administrative Activities:

• Performs day-to-day administrative tasks involving timekeeping, scheduling, ordering and management reports.
• Processes and completes all records, reports and correspondence within the required timeframe.
• Entering personal time and leave/overtime requests into the timekeeping system as required.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

• Oversees and performs laboratory procedures for detection or identification of requested analyte.
• Operates laboratory equipment using control mechanisms.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

• Translates or explains what laboratory data means and how it can be used.
• Explains what results are supplied and the appropriate reference ranges

Developing Objectives and Strategies:

• Develops procedures independently for implementing new or modifying existing laboratory programs and activities.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and enforcing major policies and procedures affecting the unit as it relates to laboratory activities.

Interacting With Computers:

• Uses computers to process information, data and control instrumentation.
• Uses the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for record management.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:

• Prepares and checks specimens, solutions, reagents and other materials necessary for conducting tests.
• Ensures adequate resources are available for workload.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment:

• Performs preventative and other maintenance on Laboratory equipment.
• Ensures that malfunctioned equipment is repaired according to State guidelines.

Performing General Physical Activities:

• Performs repetitive activities or motions during specimen processing or analysis.
• Performs physical activities that involve use of hands, arms and legs to relocate and stock reagents and supplies to testing areas.
• Bends, stoops, kneels, climbs and reaches as necessary.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Reviews information from textbooks, manuals, flowcharts and other reference sources to accurately analyze and report test results.
• Remains current with regard to technical information and department procedures and policies and applies new knowledge to the job performed by the unit

Staffing Organizational Units:

• Conducting interviews for job candidates.
• Identifying promotional opportunities within assigned subordinates to develop bench strength and enhance the talent pool.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material:

• Monitors laboratory equipment for proper functionality.
• Establishes a preventative maintenance schedule.

Documenting/Recording Information:

• Prepares records and reports to meet unit needs.
• Documents, enters, transcribes, records, stores, destroys and maintains information in written or electronic form according to established state and federal guidelines.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:

• Handles complaints, settles disputes and resolves conflicts among section personnel.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others:

• Facilitates cooperation with members of a group to accomplish a task.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

• Schedules section personnel for work assignments.

Thinking Creatively:

• Provides constructive input on day-to-day and systematic processes.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:

• Operates passenger vehicles and/or aquatic vehicles.

Competencies (KSA'S)

Competencies:

• Building Effective Teams
• Decision Quality
• Developing Direct Reports and Others
• Directing Others
• Functional/Technical Competency
• Informing
• Listening
• Priority Setting
• Problem Solving
• Written Communications

Knowledge:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Clerical
• Education and Training
• Mathematics

Skills:

• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Speaking
• Writing
• Instructing
• Service Orientation
• Complex Problem Solving
• Equipment Maintenance
• Operation and Control
• Operations Monitoring
• Quality Control Analysis
• Troubleshooting

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Time Sharing
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Auditory Attention
• Speech Clarity
• Visual Color Discrimination

Tools and Equipment Used

Tools and Equipment Used:

• pH Meter
• Pipette
• Microbiology Analyzers
• Autoclaves
• Chemistry Analyzers
• Microscopes
• Balances
• Thermocyclers
• Computers
• Calculators
• Other laboratory equipment as required

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.