By joining the American Red Cross you will touch millions of lives every year and experience the greatness of the human spirit at its best. Are you ready to be part of the world's largest humanitarian network?
Join us—Where your Career is a Force for Good!
Job Description:
WHY CHOOSE US?
As one of the nation’s premier humanitarian organizations, the American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and, in association with other Red Cross networks, throughout the world. When you join our team, you have a direct impact on a meaningful mission, and you can help save lives every day. If you share our passion for helping people, join us in this excellent career opportunity. Work where your career is a force for good.
We are committed to the diversity of our workforce and to delivering our programs and services in a culturally competent manner reflecting the communities we serve. Our work environment is collaborative, respectful, and inclusive with a focus on building allyship and a culture of belonging that empowers all team members. Come to learn, grow, and succeed while sharing your passion for making a difference.
The Red Cross supports a variety of cultural and community resource groups for employees and volunteers. From the Ability Network, our Asian American & Pacific Islander Resource Group, the Latino Resource Group, and Red Cross PRIDE, to the Umoja African American Resource Group, our Veterans+ Resource Group, and the Women’s Resource Group, these networks provide connections, mentoring and help give voice to important concerns and opinions.
At the American Red Cross, your uniqueness can shine!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Job Overview):
Supervise and assure the smooth daily operation of the HLA laboratory. Assist with maintaining the department’s goals and budget operations. Assist in managing and participating in internal (blood center and HLA laboratory), external (federal, state, local, AABB, American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), etc.) quality control, documentation, proficiency and inspection programs. Oversee the implementation/validation of new testing procedures/equipment.
Assist with the interviewing and evaluation of candidates to fill vacancies. Assist with the training, retraining and competency assessments of staff. Provide support, development and/or serve as a technical resource to internal or external customers including the demonstration of laboratory procedures to visiting scientists, physicians and colleagues. Be available for emergency services, troubleshooting or on-call duties as required. Maintain appropriate state and board certifications, if applicable, and attend continuing education programs. May perform all HLA procedures, processes and special testing as needed. Performs work in compliance with accrediting agency standards. Provide support, development and/or leadership guidance to all volunteers.
Perform all duties and responsibilities in compliance with standard operating procedures and other applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.
WHERE YOUR CAREER IS A FORCE FOR GOOD (Key Responsibilities):
- Supervise the daily operation of the HLA laboratory. Assign laboratory tasks to staff and schedule testing in accordance with the laboratory manager’s instructions to achieve organizational and daily production goals and to ensure the timely and accurate completion of test results and issuing of testing reports to clients. Supervise laboratory staff including, but not limited to, scheduling, training, coaching, and contributing input to performance evaluations. Assist in the evaluation, discipline, transfer and discharge of staff, and the interviewing and evaluation of candidates. May perform testing as appropriate.
- Oversee the operation and maintenance of all laboratory equipment and software. Communicate with vendors; perform emergency equipment service or troubleshooting, when needed. Oversee the execution of prescribed validation plans for processes and equipment.
- Evaluate, prepare, validate and implement new laboratory techniques, procedures and the quality assurance program. Assist in compliance, quality improvement activities and inspection management.
- Review quality control results and other compliance tasks such as change control. Review and interpret final results; prepare and review final reports, written or electronic. May compile and report monthly HLA testing statistics. Coordinate periodic laboratory proficiency testing and reporting. May sign off on proficiency testing reports. Demonstrate test procedures to visiting scientists, physicians and colleagues. Maintain an orderly work space.
- Oversee the ordering, receiving, inspection and preparation of supplies and reagents. Oversee the receipt, coordination, shipment and transport of donor and patient blood samples.
- Monitor adherence to standard operating procedures and interpret test results in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements. Assure records are reviewed, managed and archived according to requirements. Monitor discrepancy occurrences and resolutions to assure appropriate decisions, product dispositions and documentation of problems. Take remedial actions and document when deviations occur from laboratory’s established performance specifications. Ensure patient test results are reported only when the system is functioning properly.
- Communicate with hospital or transfusion facility personnel to report patient findings, resolve problems, provide units to recipients and/or receive orders. Provide reference and consultation services to hospitals and transfusion services. Communicate and collaborate with internal customers in other departments and regions regarding testing schedules, coordination of the receipt of test results and hand-offs to improve quality and efficiency. Perform internal and external customer education. Prepare and present case studies and educational reviews, as requested.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Minimum Qualifications):
Education: Bachelor's degree in Biological Science or Chemistry required. Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Medical Technologist (MT), Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or equivalent certification. CHT(ASHI) or CHS(ASHI) certification or in the process of pursuing preferred. Licensure if required by state.
Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in clinical testing, to include 3 years in an ASHI accredited histocompatibility laboratory or equivalent combination of education and related experience required. There are additional requirements for this position in New York state: Experience must include 6 years of pertinent clinical laboratory experience with at least two years in a clinical laboratory having a director at the doctoral level.
Management Experience: 1 year of lead or supervisory experience with experience in a clinical histocompatibility testing laboratory preferred.
Skills & Abilities: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Good organizational skills. Ability to provide training and guidance to laboratory personnel. Good problem-solving skills for technical and personnel issues. Must possess critical-thinking skills and strong attention to detail. Promote quality-driven work environment. Knowledge of quality control, quality assurance principles and proficiency testing procedures. Proficient in HLA laboratory testing, workflow and organization. Knowledge of regulatory issues related to laboratory work performance. Ability to delegate laboratory tasks or assignments to staff appropriately and effectively. Effective time management skills. Ability to work on a team and independently.
Travel: May involve variable locations and some travel.
BENEFITS FOR YOU:
We take care of you, while you take care of others. As a mission-based organization, we believe our team needs great support to do great work. Our comprehensive benefits help you in balancing home and work. With our resources and perks, you have amazing possibilities at the American Red Cross to advance the learn.
• Medical, Dental Vision plans
• Health Spending Accounts & Flexible Spending Accounts
• PTO + Holidays
• 401K with 5% match
• Paid Family Leave
• Employee Assistance
• Disability and Insurance: Short + Long Term
• Service Awards and recognition
Apply now! Joining our team will provide you with the opportunity to make a difference every day.
The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
