Lab Manager of Embryology & Andrology

The salary range for this position is $50.75 - $71.04 (Hourly Rate)

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

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Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Description

The Lab Manager, Embryology and Andrology reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medical Group and adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Lab Manager is responsible for all aspects of the daily operations of the embryology and andrology laboratories across various clinics and regions within Fertility and Reproductive Medicine. The main responsibilities of this position include oversight of lab staffing, pertinent patient customer service issues, and technical procedural execution. Duties include the performance and technical supervision of all aspects of procedures in the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratory including media preparation, oocyte collection and classification, semen preparation and insemination, fertilization determination, embryo culture, embryo transfer, embryo, oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. Micromanipulation techniques include ICSI, Assisted Hatching and PGD Embryo Biopsy. Andrology procedures include performance of semen analyses, preparation of semen for intrauterine insemination, cryopreservation of semen and testicular tissue, maintain donor sperm inventories and records, maintain CAP, JCAHO, CLIA and OSHA compliance.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Main Responsibilities: This position is responsible for the following:

• Supervision and training of all embryology and andrology personnel
• Establishing and Implementing all new procedures and techniques in the embryology and andrology laboratories
• Conducting and overseeing internal competency testing and external proficiency testing of staff
• Maintaining patient records and results for all procedures performed in embryology and andrology laboratories
• Overseeing all data reporting internally and externally to the national SART registry
• Managing all equipment acquisition, equipment maintenance and laboratory supplies
• Managing and responding to all critical equipment alarm response 24/7, 365 days/year
• Overseeing laboratory patient electronic medical record resulting and billing for the embryology and andrology labs.

Core Skills: Operations, Performance, Practice

• Attracts, develops, and retains exceptional service providers and provides those individuals with an environment that fosters excellence through continuous learning
  • Collaborates with Human Resources and leadership to ensure appropriate staffing
  • Advances innovative retention strategies for staff
  • Facilitates and is responsible for the employee engagement process for department
  • Collaboratively manages the corrective action process when appropriate
  • Facilitates the annual performance review process
  • Ensures application of staffing tools
  • Facilitates on-boarding and training of new staff
• Manages people and resources in various laboratory sites to ensure safe and efficient patient care operations
  • Assumes 24 hour accountability for quality of patient care, human resources, and overall function.
  • In conjunction with the Laboratory Director, develops section based goals to support divisional and organizational missions and objectives.
  • Ensures that staff exhibit Patients First standards.
  • Facilitates a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach to patient care and interdepartmental problem solving/service delivery.
  • Develops and maintains relationships with all customers, suppliers and vendors.
  • Assures that service standards are developed, implemented and evaluated.
  • Creates an environment of high morale and motivated professionals.
  • Ensures that the environment is clean and attractive, safe, and free from hazards for patients, staff and visitors.
  • Assumes delegated management responsibilities in the absence of the Director.
  • Monitors and manages staff in alignment with productivity standards.
  • Facilitates planned growth in new program areas.
• Establishes, implements, and monitors the department’s capital and operating budget to achieve defined targets
  • Creates annual operating budget and is accountable for monthly financial performance
  • Creates and implements new and replacement capital requests and departmental projects
  • Partners with leadership to advance improvement initiatives and opportunities
• Leads the development and implementation of approaches to attain maximum quality and efficiency of service provision
  • Supports continuous quality improvement initiatives
  • Monitors and reports on departmental regulatory compliance
  • Monitors and reports upon departmental productivity (statistics) and works with the management team to strategize means to maximize output. Develops tools/metrics necessary to adequately assess departmental performance
  • Incorporates results of compliance audits in the improvement of services and enhancement of patient care
• Quality of Care and Service Management
  • Develops and maintains a quality management system which allows for consistent evaluation and improvement of services and products in relation to physician and patient care requirements. Documents all significant activities and takes corrective action as necessary.
  • Designs and implements clinical protocols and quality improvements
  • Develops systems for improvement of the division’s services provided in relation to physician and patient care requirements.
  • Ensures quality metrics are achieved
  • Involved in patient care issue follow-up
  • Incorporates results of QM audits in the improvement of services and enhancement of patient care

Basic Core Skills

• Customer Focus
  • Clearly identifies the internal and external customer(s) for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine and their respective requirements/expectations.
  • Actively participates in department rounding with internal and external customers to identify and implement solutions and/or interventions as appropriate.
• Creative Leadership
  • Translates organizational vision into division vision that engages staff in contributing to and achieving that vision.
• Coaching and Development
  • Provides daily, just-in-time feedback to improve performance and self-esteem of staff.
  • Tracks coaching discussions and actual performance of associates to ensure accountability.
  • Seeks ways to match staff members’ talents and career interests with organizational opportunities.
• Continuous Learning
  • Continually examines ways to improve relationships with customers, suppliers, community, etc.
  • Seeks and is open to new ideas from a wide range of sources; encourages others to share knowledge and best practices.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry
• At least 5 years’ experience in a CAP accredited laboratory
• At least 5 years’ experience supervising high complexity testing and procedures in a reproductive laboratory
• Demonstrates personal alignment with Northwestern Medicine’s core values of integrity, excellence, patients first, and teamwork.
• Demonstrates effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to plan, organize, and direct the activities of others.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Biology or Reproductive Physiology
• Board Certification as an Embryology Laboratory Director, American Board of Bioanalysis
• Board Certification as a Technical Supervisor in the disciplines of Embryology and Andrology, American Board of Bioanalysis

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.