Laboratory Clinical Educator

Responsible for the onboarding, training, and competency assessment of staff

within laboratory departments including Histocompatibility, Flow Cytometry, Infectious Disease, and DCU Limited-Service Laboratory. Additionally, works with laboratory leadership to assess and implement ongoing departmental educational needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Engages in job shadowing with staff to ensure the continuity of policies and best practices. 
2. Serves as the CLIA Director’s designee to perform and document training and competency assessments of laboratory testing personnel in accordance with CLIA Required Elements:
   1. Direct observation of routine test performance, including specimen handling.
   2. Monitoring of test result recording and reporting.
   3. Review of test results, worksheets, QC, PT, and maintenance records.
   4. Direct observation of instrument maintenance and function checks.
   5. Assessment using previously tested specimens or PT samples.
   6. Evaluation of problem-solving skills
3. Works with laboratory staff, including Laboratory Managers and Technical Specialists, to establish training rotations and competency assessments during the staff member’s regular schedule as possible
4. Maintains competency and follows the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting, and maintaining records of patient test results within all departments:
   1. ABO Blood Group Testing and A Titer testing
   2. HLA Molecular Typing: all methods
   3. Flow Cytometry: T & B Cell Flow Crossmatch
   4. Infectious Disease Donor Screening and Confirmatory Testing (antibody and NAT)
   5. HLA Antibody Detection and Identification
   6. DCU Limited-Service Laboratory
5. Possesses patience and strength as a coach, demonstrating skill in providing constructive feedback with genuine passion for the development of others.
6. Skilled in creating an environment that promotes learning and effective explanations of clinical laboratory testing activities.
7. Assist Technical Specialists and Laboratory Managers in scheduling and documentation of training and competency assessments for assays/methods not included in the Laboratory Technologist I job description as needed
8. Coaches team members by providing consistent, evidence-based critical thinking and decision support.   Provides thorough, in-depth guidance utilizing highly developed clinical expertise and advanced knowledge of laboratory processes.
9. Participates in performance improvement initiatives, identifying trends and supporting formal staff education needs. Assists with data collection, analysis, and shares best-practices for presentation and education during staff meetings
10. Works closely with Laboratory leadership to ensure the department personnel successfully meet qualifications for CLIA, CAP, FDA and ASHI
11. Demonstrates mastery of proper laboratory techniques, and attention to detail.
12. Maintains competency as needed to support on-call training of staff.
13. Adheres to the laboratory's quality control policies, documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed.
14. Serves as a role model for the MTN B-REAL behavioral competencies by actively supporting, reinforcing, and exhibiting behaviors in alignment with the B-REAL core values.

ADMINISTRATIVE

1. Demonstrated ability to resolve clinical problems within established procedures, complimented by sound judgement in determining when to bring difficult problems to management as necessary.
2. Demonstrated ability to create an environment that promotes learning.
3. Provides summary reports of departmental activities and performance documentation of all testing personnel. 
4. Presents educational materials at monthly staff meetings as requested.
5. Works closely with laboratory leadership to lead laboratory orientation, training, and ongoing education.
6. Verifies that laboratory staff meet continuing education requirements for each year.
7. Coordinates Proficiency Testing with Laboratory Quality Compliance Specialist, Laboratory Managers, and Technical Specialists as needed for competency assessments.

CLINICAL EDUCATOR FOR NEWLY HIRED STAFF

1. Primary preceptor for on-site training to include:
   1. Confirming laboratory staff members have all tools and equipment needed
2. Primary preceptor for in-office training including:
   1. Consistent in-person check-ins during orientation to track progress and identify concerns
   2. Orientation to MTN and departmental meetings
   3. Time management and testing time expectations
   4. Quality responsibilities and documentation of incidents in Quality Management System
3. Trains staff on overall laboratory processes and workflow.
4. Provides Information technology training and how it pertains to the Laboratory Services department.
   1. Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)
   2. UNET
   3. DocuWare
   4. TrueNorth
   5. TigerConnect
   6. QMS
5. Collaborates with the Education team to maintain onboarding tracking and documentation records for new hires and ongoing skills development.  Participates in annual audit of staff competency.

EDUCATION COORDINATION

1. Assists department leadership with assessing education needs of laboratory staff.
2. Works with leadership and Education team to develop & coordinates education events and competencies for department.
3. Participates in the development and administration of preceptor training for qualified staff.
4. Works with Laboratory Quality Compliance Specialist, to conduct annual review of orientation and laboratory training processes, checklists, and competency assessment forms to ensure currency.

QUALIFICATIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. Have earned a doctoral, master’s, or bachelor’s degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution  
2. Meets the personnel requirements for CLIA General Supervisor of High Complexity Testing
3. Minimum five years HLA typing, HLA antibody testing, flow cytometry, infectious disease and/or molecular diagnostics experience.
4. A Certified Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) or Certified Histocompatibility Specialist (CHS) ACHI certification strongly preferred.
5. Formal training or experience as a Medical Technologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist preferred.
6. Ability to work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Required to work for extended periods of time with few breaks. Able to work varied hours/shifts to accommodate trainees.
7. Successful completion of MTN PACE and TEMPO training or be able to do so within 2 years of starting the role.
8. Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to speak and communicate clearly and accurately to convey information in person and by phone; written documentation of relevant information in a professional manner.
9. Excellent organization and time management skills; ability to function independently and collaboratively; demonstrated problem-solving and creative thinking skills and well-developed personal stress management skills.
10. Must maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with MTN motor vehicle policy.  Must have reliable personal automobile transportation to be used with company reimbursement using IRS guidelines. 
11. Ability to lift 50 pounds and transfer short distances.
12. Possess ability to operate telephones, computers and lab equipment.
13. Ability to speak and communicate clearly in order to accurately convey information in person or by phone.
14. OSHA Category I – Exposed regularly to bloodborne pathogens while performing assigned job duties.  Bloodborne pathogens protection is required.
15. Home internet and wireless phone access may be required.

MTN BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Belonging: Intentionally connects with colleagues by embracing differences and finding commonalities to create a workplace where all employees feel safe and genuine at work. Models the philosophy that lived experiences make individuals unique by respecting and seeking to understand beliefs, values and opinions that are new or different from their own. Represents through actions and influence, the idea that diverse perspectives make MTN stronger as we serve our mission.

Respect: Builds a positive and supportive foundation inviting open, honest, and clear communication. Fosters a sensitive, supportive, and trustworthy environment, which promotes active listening and strengthens rapport throughout all interactions. Cultivates teamwork through acceptance and inclusion by valuing differences and empowering strengths.

Excellence: Demonstrates excellence by going above and beyond, while maintaining compassion and humility in all interactions. Demonstrates a high rate of achievement and success for the organization through proactive objectives centered on the overall mission and vision. Consistently models a positive attitude, a willingness to help others, and a dedication to improvement. Takes full responsibility for their role and challenges themselves to find workable solutions.

Accountability: Demonstrates the highest ethical standards, by honoring commitments to each other and professional partners. Executes all interactions through honesty and transparency. Demonstrates responsibility and integrity through ownership of the mission. Utilizes resources appropriately.

Leadership: Empowers, mentors and encourages all staff, while displaying a high-level of professionalism. Demonstrates ability to cultivate teams and relationships through open lines of communication, honesty and respect. Handles challenges with compassion by developing trust through respectful feedback and support. Acts as a resource by providing the tools, which enable others to reach their highest potential.

It is the policy of Midwest Transplant Network (MTN) to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment.  No person will be discriminated against in employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnic origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, arrest record, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.  In addition, the organization complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training, employee activities and general treatment during employment

MTN is committed to complying with state and federal disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position they desire, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of MTN’s mission.