Assistant/Associate Director - Histocompatibility Laboratory

Scope of Position

Individual is responsible for histocompatibility laboratory compliance with regulatory and accreditation agency standards, quality assurance, development of laboratory processes amp; clinical protocols and budget preparation amp; monitoring. This laboratory runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides services to University Hospital, The James Cancer Center, Nationwide Childrens Hospital, Lifeline of Ohio, and various outside medical facilities.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Histocompatibility Laboratory reports directly to the Director of Histocompatibility Laboratory for business related activities and for clinical and research related activities and is responsible for assisting the Director of Histocompatibility Laboratory for the overall management of the histocompatibility laboratory. Preference will be given to individuals with significant prior clinical subspecialty work experience in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Candidate should be familiar with all aspects of laboratory QA/QC/QM/PI programs in organ transplantation. Evidence of involvement in clinical consultations as well as willingness to participate in on-call work is preferred. Demonstrated involvement in development of technical protocols for clinical testing including HLA typing (SSP, SSOP, qPCR, NGS), crossmatching (flow and virtual), HLA antibody testing (solid phase methods) and disease-association. Individual in this position is responsible assisting the Director for the quality of operations amp; services provided by the histocompatibility laboratory, including the responsibility for reviewing and overseeing all technical aspects of the laboratory. This individual directs technologist staff and works closely with the Director of Histocompatibility laboratory and attending physicians in both solid and bone marrow transplantation in the design, implementation and review of all technical processes that involve the histocompatibility lab. This individual is responsible for personnel management, ensuring customer service, development, implementation and monitoring of testing, staff training and evaluation and budget management. The Assistant Director also represents The Ohio State University Medical Center at local, regional and national levels as a liaison between The Ohio State University Medical Center and the various organizations, agencies and professional organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities

40% Compliance

• Develops, as needed, new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the laboratory, reviews and updates existing SOPs and designs appropriate validation studies as needed.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory and accrediting agency requirements for the laboratory (i.e. ASHI, CLIA, CMS, UNOS, etc.).
• Develops and maintains an adequate and robust quality assurance program for the laboratory.
• Collaborates with the histocompatibility laboratory Director to develop on-going mechanisms to analyze data on the accuracy of histocompatibility testing.
• Serves as technical expert in areas of expertise including implementing new technologies, new testing and operating methods, including testing for comprehensive and performance accuracy when a new test or process method is implemented.

30% Strategic Vision and Planning

• In conjunction with Director of Histocompatibility laboratory, establishes and defines goals, objectives and an operational plan that supports OSUMC goals and objectives.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates programs designed to meet goals and objectives.
• Identifies opportunities for operational amp; customer service improvement and develops and implements those solutions/processes.
• Works with Director of Histocompatibility laboratory and Administrative Director of the Comprehensive Transplant Center to market histocompatibility laboratory services to other transplant programs within the state and surrounding out of state transplant programs.
• Participates in regional and national transplant activities as an expert in the field of histocompatibility (i.e., ASHI, UNOS, etc.) including serving on committees in order to help direct regional and national policy and procedure development.

15% Financial Management

• Assists with establishment of capital amp; operational budgets. Monitors budgets and expenses to control and/or justify variances.
• Ensures laboratory billing complies with hospital standards.
• Reviews and approves supply and equipment expenditures.
• Ensures appropriate inventory control.
• Identifies opportunities for cost savings, additional revenue generation and efficiency gains.

15% Administrative

• Evaluates the overall operations, workload and sets staffing requirements for laboratory.
• Interviews and hires lab personnel.
• Ensures laboratory staff is appropriately trained.
• Annually evaluates competency of the laboratory staff.
• Ensures laboratory staff is providing excellent customer service.
• Provides opportunities for continuing education for technologists and technicians.

Organizational Expectations

Practices within the OSUMC policies and procedures. Possess appropriate public relations skills (able to resolve problems effectively, professionally, and efficiently); possess leadership and good judgment skills; communicate clearly; serve as a resource person and be committed to assuring that the laboratory produces high quality work. Adheres to OSUMC mission, vision and value statements as demonstrated through positive patient relations, positive and effective interactions with staff and formulating amp; meeting development goals.

Minimum Qualifications

For Hire: Candidates must have a MD, MD/PhD, PhD chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science from an accredited institution, or equivalent degree(s). Applicants with an MD or equivalent degree must also have or be eligible for an Ohio medical license or equivalent certification/permit, as determined by the Medical Board of Ohio.

All MD candidates must be board certified/eligible by the American Board of Pathology and the PhD candidates must be certified as a Laboratory Director by ACHI (as a Fellow of the ACHI) in the following areas of accreditation:

• Solid Organ Transplantation: Live Donor
• Solid Organ Transplantation: Deceased Donor
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplantation: Related Donor
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplantation: Unrelated Donor
• Histocompatibility Testing for Other Clinical Purposes

On going: Maintain certification at the F(ACHI) level and continue to attend meetings and seminars to stay current in all areas of histocompatibility laboratory management.