Specialist, POC

Responsibilities

• Drafts all necessary policies, procedures and POC training and competency documents utilized by POC testing personnel.
• Plans and schedules POC activities for hospitals as needed.
• Assumes responsibility for the proper application of laboratory policies and procedures while providing oversight of Quality Control and Proficiency Testing ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Maintains metrics for POC testing and provides them by the 15th of each month to the Quality Assurance Supervisor.
• Provides nursing reports daily, weekly, monthly or as needed and reviews with QA supervisor and/or Laboratory Director.
• Responsible for equipment validation, correlation, linearity and precision.
• Oversees regulatory preparation, i.e. CAP, CLIA and TJC prep and attends hospital meetings for regulatory compliance.
• Keeps abreast of all changes in POC testing and regulations and serves as the subject matter expert in advising the Medical Director.
• Investigates, reviews, oversees and implements all new POC assays.
• Meets with QA designee at least bi-weekly and keeps abreast of all POC activities within AHC entities.
• Makes regular rounds to all entity units to speak with nurse managers/directors to ensure quality and patient care and to maintain rapport and a cohesive working relationship with hospital staff and physicians.
• Attends nursing dept. meetings, if held, a minimum of once per quarter for assigned entities and provides a written report of those activities to the Regional Director of Laboratory Services and the Medical Director.
• Works with laboratory management team members and laboratory staff in a collaborative basis to ensure the teamwork necessary to support POC testing 24/7.
• Addresses all POC issues.
• Presents POC data to the Laboratory Performance Improvement Committee.
• Maintains POC testing equipment inventory list.
• Maintains POC test list by site and location.
• Assures that all point of care testing (POCT) is performed in accordance to hospital policy and procedure and in accordance with the HCFA, CLIA'88, TJC and Department of Health State guidelines and standards.
• Responsible for the development and on-going maintenance of a detailed POC policy and procedure manual following selecting a format that meets accreditation and licensing requirements.
• Responsible for recommending and endorsing test methods, to include validation, documentation and installation of test systems initially and semiannually thereafter.
• Reports quarterly on the compliance status of all areas to the quarterly Laboratory Performance Improvement Committee.
• Reports as needed (daily, weekly and monthly) to nurse managers, directors and hospital administrators on POC compliance.
• Resolves technical issues with equipment and reagents in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Administers Quality Assurance programs, evaluates and reports findings, and issues and maintains corrective action responses.
• Ensures that remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the Laboratory's established performance specifications.
• Enforces hospital policy and removes POCT access when a tester has violated policy.
• Develops training/orientation programs for POC testing staff.
• Develops training/orientation programs for lab staff on POCT procedures and database monitoring.
• Maintains and oversees the POCT laboratory central processing station (computer hardware/software) to ensure timely reporting of testing, Quality Control, billing, and regulatory compliance.
• Responsible for RALs interface of POCT analyzers.
• Establishes necessary budgetary controls and maintains costs at an acceptable level.
• Prepares reports detailing departmental activities, revenues, expenses, etc. as needed.
• Prepares POC budget for all entities.
• Attends hospital, department and laboratory management meetings and committees as required.
• Informs the Medical Director and the Regional Director of Laboratory Services of any problems associated with the proper performance of test procedures.
• Shares all complaints concerning the validity of test results, turnaround times, etc.
• Oversees equipment and test supply inventories to assure adequate supplies for uninterrupted operations.
• Maintains records of Quality Control and Proficiency testing as required for regulatory agencies.
• Assists with in-house and off-site inspections and educational programs as required.
• Adheres to all established laboratory safety requirements.
• Uses personal protective equipment, engineering controls and/or work practice controls as directed by management.
• Performs other job-related/miscellaneous duties as assigned by the Medical Director or Regional Director of Laboratory Services.

Qualifications

Required Work Experience: Min of 2-3 years of experience in Clinical Laboratory required.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Physical activities include frequent walking, sitting, bending, lifting, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting and squatting. The ability to lift up to 30 lbs. in weight to a height of 5 feet and carrying moderately light loads for a distance of 50 feet. Color vision is required for accuracy in work. Atmosphere and environment associated with a clinical laboratory setting – toxic and/or hazardous chemicals/specimens with unpleasant odors.

Knowledge

• Basic theoretical and operational knowledge of laboratory technologies and POC testing required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, i.e., Word, Excel, Power Point, Project, etc. as well as POC software.
• Working knowledge of computer hardware, interfaces and peripherals.
• Knowledge of organizational/departmental policies and procedures.
• Basic knowledge of HIS and LIS computer operations and interfaces.

Skills

• Possess the communication skills necessary to effectively manage client concerns.
• Communication skills necessary to handle telephone inquiries from clients.
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology, BS (Required)

Licenses and Certifications

MT (ASCP) (Required)