About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) Clinical Testing Center (ICTC) Assistant Lab Manager will assist the ICTC Technical Supervisor / IALS Director and the ICTC Core Director with ongoing operation, especially in regard to quality, compliance, LIMS/LIS use, and project oversight in the IALS Clinical Testing Center. The Assistant Lab Manager will perform a variety of technical, scientific, and administrative duties and is responsible for assisting with overall management of day-to-day laboratory operations and ICTC personnel-related activities.
Essential Functions
- Perform general supervisor duties in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) requirements on behalf of or in addition to the ICTC Core Director.
- Assign daily work to technicians / technologists. Plan and manage priorities, provide technical assistance, oversee schedules, monitor quality of work, mentor staff, provide constructive feedback, oversee staff training, ensure quality improvement, provide ICTC Core Director and other IALS Leadership feedback on staff performance, and assist with goal setting for the team.
- Consult with clinicians, Technical Supervisor, ICTC Core Director, and other personnel as appropriate on test results, requirements and testing protocols.
- Participate in required competency assessment and proficiency testing activities. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements (CAP, HIPAA, etc). Follow established procedures to perform all lab tests (including all levels of complexity as defined by CLIA) to obtain data for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
- Assist in the evaluation of new techniques or practices for implementation, including quality control and quality assurance.
- Assist in the development of laboratory procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient and research test results.
- Participate in project planning meetings and working to meet project deadlines in collaboration with the ICTC Core Director and Technical Supervisor.
- Clearly communicate and escalate issues, and coordinate with the ICTC Technical Supervisor and Core Director.
- Responsible for ensuring acceptable levels of analytical performance are maintained on a day-to-day basis. Help to maintain laboratory equipment and tools, and review quality control (QC) daily and escalate corrective actions needed on any outlier results to the ICTC Core Director.
- Identify and resolve issues with protocol compliance, especially in regard to research, communication with ICTC Core Director and / or all involved staff.
- Establish an ICTC-specific skill-set on Orchard Enterprise Lab (previously Sequoia). Ensure appropriate records for specimens, tests and data are stored in the LIMS.
- Train laboratory staff on proper techniques/procedures related to clinical laboratory practice, including safety and quality control. Ensure record of any repairs, replacement, and maintenance needed of equipment on instrument logs.
- Maintain sufficient inventory of material, supplies, and equipment for performance of duties by coordinating activities related to sourcing and procurement of necessary materials and supplies.
- Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures, as well as federal and state laws.
Other Functions
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s Degree and five (5) years of relevant human specimen testing experience in a high-complexity healthcare setting. A Master’s Degree in Medical Technology, Chemical, Physical, or Biological Science may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
- Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance, CLIA compliance and regulations.
- Strong communication and leadership skills to interact with all levels of stakeholders.
- Able to maintain accuracy and quality in a fast-paced environment--handle several tasks simultaneously and prioritize work
- Extremely detail-oriented, excellent organization skills.
- Highly skilled with MS Office products including Word, Excel, MS Teams, Outlook, and able to learn and adapt to new software.
- Familiarity with other office software tools such as Zoom, OneDrive, Google Workspace.
- Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
- Ability to perform, prioritize, and organize multiple tasks seamlessly, with excellent attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Previous research experience.
- Master’s Degree.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Ability to work in a laboratory environment, which may involve standing for long periods of time (4+ hours).
- Moderate lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to travel to other buildings across campus for sample and supply pickup.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours/week.
- May be required to work some nights.
Salary Information
Level 28
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.