Director-Immunohematology Reference Laboratory

The Director of Immunohematology Reference Laboratories oversees clinical laboratory operations with a focus on technical excellence, timely result delivery, client satisfaction, quality assurance, and operational efficiency. The role ensures proactive communication with clients and stakeholders, addresses concerns promptly, and promotes a service-oriented culture. It also ensures ongoing compliance with CLIA, NYS-DOH, AABB, and FDA standards, leads proficiency testing, and implements corrective actions.

Operational duties include managing staffing, budgets, SOPs, equipment, and safety while fostering staff engagement and development.

Result Delivery and Turnaround Time (TAT). Ensures timely delivery of accurate and clinically relevant lab results.

Select, validate, implement, and maintain test methods appropriate for the clinical use of the test results.
• Ensure the quality of test performance against specifications in preanalytical, analytic, and postanalytical phases of testing.
• Ensure that any technical issues and deviations are resolved prior to reporting of test results.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize turnaround time without compromising accuracy.
• Monitor TAT metrics and analyze delays or bottlenecks in workflows.
• Implement automation or process improvements where indicated to reduce delays or improve result delivery.

Customer Service & Client Satisfaction. Includes both internal stakeholders (Hospital Services, Physician Services) and external clients:

• Maintain proactive and timely communication with clients regarding clinical lab services.
• Respond promptly and professionally to client concerns, complaints, or inquiries.
• Conduct regular business reviews and implement changes based on feedback.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key clients or vendors.
• Ensure all lab staff understand their role in customer service and support a service-oriented culture.

Quality Assurance and Compliance. Ensures laboratory reliability, accuracy, and accreditation compliance:

• Oversee quality assurance activities aligned with NYBCe's quality management system (QMS) and ensure adherence to regulatory and accreditation standards (CLIA, NYS-DOH, AABB, FDA).
• Establish and maintain a quality control program appropriate for the testing performed.
• Responsible for proficiency testing and quality improvement initiatives. Act and investigate and resolve non-conformances and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement and accountability among staff.

Operational Management. Ensures day-to-day lab activities are efficient, and staff engaged:

• Oversee laboratory workflows, staffing, equipment maintenance, and safety compliance.
• Oversee SOPs, workflow protocols, and risk management strategies.
• Supervise and mentor laboratory managers, supervisors, and laboratory staff.
• Foster a highly engaged, motivated workforce with clear communication, professional development, and staff recognition and retention.
• Ensure adequately trained and competent staffing to maintain smooth operations and operational coverage.
• Develop and manage the lab's annual operating and capital budgets and identify opportunities for growth or efficiency.
• Collaborate with NYBCe IRL leaders and subject matter experts to develop NYBCe standardized SOPs, documents, policies, and training materials.
• Provide input on key standardization decisions research based on industry best practices, workflow and efficiency.
• Contribute to research initiatives in immunohematology, including complex serologic investigations and genomics studies; publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and regional conferences to advance transfusion medicine and promote NYBCe expertise.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technologist, Immunology or a related field.

Experience:

• Six or more years of relevant technical and service-related industry experience in a high-complexity laboratory or blood bank setting with four or more years of supervisory/managerial experience in a laboratory setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as an AABB Assessor for Immunohematology Reference Laboratories or Red Cell Molecular Testing is a plus.
• Master's degree with at least two years of pertinent clinical laboratory experience subsequent to qualifying of which at least two years have been spent working in a clinical laboratory having a director at the doctoral level.

Licenses / Certification:

• New York State Clinical laboratory technologist license required.
• SBB certification is a plus.

Knowledge:

• Expert knowledge of Immunohematology / Transfusion Medicine laboratory science and practices.
• Advanced knowledge of current laboratory techniques and technology relevant to an immunohematology reference laboratory.
• Knowledge of…