Histocompatibility Director

Provides general direction, technical supervision and clinical consultation involving activities in the Clinical Histocompatibility Laboratory in support of solid organ transplantation (including heart, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, transfusion services and disease association studies). Researches and determines guidelines and best practice methodologies. Ensures system-wide areas are in compliance with regulatory, accrediting and advisory body requirements.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provides general direction, technical direction and clinical consultation for the Clinical Histocompatibility Laboratory, including call responsibilities at all times. Must be accessible to the laboratory and clinical staff to provide on-site direction, telephone and electronic consultation (pursuant to ASHI Standard E.2.2.2) and UNOS By-laws Attachment II to Appendix B. B.1.(iii).
• Serves as a resource on immunology to transplant physicians and to the histocompatibility lab on necessary tests and required guidelines. Partners with the Program Director of the Transplant Program, Director of Cardiac Services and physicians involved with organ transplants to support high quality care. Performs clinical research, tissue typing and other tests to support the transplant program.
• Establishes and performs required and new tests for analysis and clinical support of transplantation.
• Collaborates with the laboratory manager to ensure the histocompatibility area of the lab meets the guidelines proposed by UNOS/ASHI/CMMS for a tissue typing laboratory.
• Educates caregivers and physicians on avoidance and management of transplant rejection and optimal donor matching for transplant recipients best practices and tactics. Responsible for working with sites/departments to identify gaps and opportunities to improve their clinical quality performance, patient pathways, strategic care redesign initiatives and living donor program.
• Collaborates with administrative leadership to assist with staff training. Participates in quality improvement projects and/or formal research as needed to assess, evaluate and identify opportunities for improving infection prevention.
• Collaborates with physicians and their health teams to identify gaps and opportunities to improve their clinical quality, including care management impact scores.
• Reviews data and metrics on a regular basis including American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, United Network for Organ Sharing, College of American Pathologists, National Kidney Registry, World Health Organization regulatory and federal metrics and public health data. Shares data with departments/physicians and their health teams on their comparative performance and identifies opportunities for improvement. Ensures compliance with regulatory, accrediting and advisory body requirements including but not limited to Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and state, Joint Commission regulations and all relevant accrediting bodies.
• Directs and performs independent immunology research to enhance knowledge of immunologic studies and quality and efficiency of the transplantation and histocompatibility areas. Establishes research proposals and submits to granting agencies for approval, generating necessary funding through grants, foundations or hospital funding, designing approved research utilizing clinical labs and publishing results of research.
• Serves on various hospital committees, as needed, including SLMC Allied Health Professional Committee, SLMC Transplant Patient Selection Committee, SLMC transplant Advisory Committee and Transplant Quality Committee/sub-PEC.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Diplomate of the ABHI D(ABHI) certification issued by the American Society of Histocompatibility and lmmunogenetics (ABHI) and sponsored by the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI).

Education Required:

• Doctorate Degree in Immunology or related field.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 10 years of experience in performing clinical histocompatibility including immunology
  experience and training with a minimum of 3 years leadership experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Passed and maintains Diplomate certification the American Society of Histocompatibility and lmmunogenetics (ABHI) Clinical Histocompatibility. Approval by ASHI DTRC for Solid Organ Transplantation Living and Deceased Donor, Transfusion Support, Histocompatibility for Other Clinical Purposes.
• Clinical transplant immunology experience required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with all levels of
• employees.
• Demonstrated effective organizational and time management skills, professional communications, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong critical/analytic thinking.
• Ability to interact with clinicians (transplant physicians/surgeons) to coordinate transplant care of patients.
• Ability to contribute to strategic planning of overall transplant program.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pathology, immunology and statistics.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.