POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Laboratory & Technical Services is responsible for the oversight of all laboratory and donor testing services. This position ensures alignment with organizational goals and compliance with all applicable regulatory guidelines. As a member of the blood bank's senior management team, the Director participates in planning, program formulation, and decision-making regarding the role, functions, and technical support of blood collection and processing operations throughout the Blood Bank of Alaska (BBA).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with department supervisors and staff to ensure that all laboratory and donor testing operations adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs), safeguarding the safety of blood products and ensuring compliance with FDA and AABB regulatory requirements.
• Communicate with and advise the Medical Director regarding product suitability and donor testing operations.
• Research new developments and industry trends. Partner with executive staff to determine the strategic direction of BBA as it relates to the scope of laboratory and donor testing services.
• Maintain oversight of equipment, maintenance, and laboratory-related supplies as required.
• Develop and implement a department that provides excellent customer service and understands the critical nature of compliance and meeting quality standards.
• Manage personnel-related matters, working with the appropriate support departments for resolution.
• Perform duties in compliance with all applicable regulatory and accrediting agencies. Ensure that OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) regulations are followed. Maintain strong working knowledge of and compliance with applicable CLIA, AABB, and FDA regulations. Monitor staff to ensure compliance.
• Exhibit support for the BBA mission, quality objectives, and customer service standards at all times.
• Analyze, determine, and write procedures related to laboratory and donor testing services.
• Perform validations as required and as trained.
• Maintain proficiency and perform quarantine processes, look-back procedures, and lot release as necessary.
• Attend AABB, ABC, and other blood bank-related meetings to assess current methods and trends and maintain state-of-the-art blood bank practices. Remain flexible and adaptable as the needs of the organization, community, and industry evolve.
• Research, evaluate, and implement special programs as directed by the CEO.
• Maintain computer (InVIta) functions for day-to-day blood center and testing operations. This includes training relevant personnel in related tasks involving computer operations.
• Maintain all QC records. Be responsible for document control and distribution of SOPs within the department as needed.
• Develop and adhere to monthly and annual budget guidelines.
• Ensure proper timelines for internal and external communications, critical reporting functions, and regular communications to employees.
• In collaboration with Quality Assurance (QA), plan regular audits of operational-related activities to ensure compliance.
• Promote positive internal and external customer relations to benefit BBA.                                                                                                 

To perform this job successfully, each essential duty (as listed above) must be performed satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

SUPERVISORY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to identify needed changes in departmental procedures, practices, goals, direction, or structure. Promote and implement these changes effectively and in a timely manner.
• Ability to ensure that departmental budgets are followed, and objectives are met. Effectively monitor resources and progress.
• Ability to collaborate with others to achieve departmental and organizational goals and objectives.
• Ability to empower employees to utilize their abilities and talents effectively.
• Ability to improve employees' skills by providing clear, specific, and helpful performance feedback, along with effective coaching and mentoring.
• Ability to use the authority of one's position in an effective and appropriate way to enforce rules, address performance problems, and direct others in the performance of their job.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude toward one’s work and job.
• Ability to act with honesty and integrity, showing respect for laws, the rights of others, and the mission of the Blood Bank of Alaska.
• Ability to adapt to various situations, work effectively with a variety of individuals and groups, understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, and adapt one's approach as the requirements of the organization or department change. Ability to act with integrity and honesty.
• Ability to adapt to changes within the organization or to changes in job requirements as needed.
• Ability to motivate employees.
• Maintains subject-matter expertise in the field or profession.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficiency in computer software, including word processing, database, spreadsheet, and applicable programs for public presentations.
• Excellent organization skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including management skills.
• Must be able to manage people and programs effectively.
• Strong writing skills.
• Ability to present to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to assess diverse organizations and people, and to approach them appropriately and effectively.
• Ability to meet multiple project deadlines.
• Serves as the subject-matter expert for hospitals and state emergency response entities.
• Ability to participate on state and national laboratory technical boards.

EDUCATION

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology.

Preferred: Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of five years in a regulatory environment, with a minimum of three years of management experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, theories, and limitations of blood bank procedures.
• Familiarity with all FDA and AABB regulations related to blood banks.
• Familiarity with quality assurance methods and procedures.
• Familiarity with CDC and OSHA safety requirements.
• Familiarity with transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases testing, and ability to counsel donors and physicians regarding positive test results.
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of subordinates.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, ETC.

• Minimum: Medical Technologist (MT(ASCP)), CPR, First Aid.
• Preferred: Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Potential exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
• The Blood Bank of Alaska follows Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Blood-borne Pathogens Standards in the workplace.

About Blood Bank of Alaska

Blood donation in Alaska has changed drastically since the 1950s, when blood was drawn on location from walk-in donors just prior to surgery or at the time of an accident. The blood drawn from these donors, referred to as “Walking Blood Banks,” was transfused directly to the recipient with no processing and minimal testing. By the early 1960s Alaska’s need for systematized blood banking was obvious to the entire medical community. In 1962, Dr. Michael F. Beirne, of Alaska Medical Laboratories, initiated the foundation of a not-for-profit blood bank designed to serve the blood needs of the sick and injured Alaskans statewide. That first year at Blood Bank of Alaska there was only one technician named Charles King and one bed. The donors had to schedule appointments around other medical services and testing. In the first year 682 pints of blood were collected and distributed to local hospitals. In 1982, Blood Bank of Alaska moved into the current main center location at 4000 Laurel Street in Anchorage. That same year the current logo was designed as part of a contest with Alaska artists through the “1% for Art” program. In 1993, automated apheresis donation to was added ...to the list of services offered at Blood Bank of Alaska. This process allows the donor to donate components of blood such as platelets and plasma while returning the remaining components back to the donor. Originally completed on a machine called Spectra, in 2005 the machine was upgraded to the current TRIMA machine. As the population of Alaska grew, so did the need for blood. Opening two new facilities for collections one in 1995 located in the Mat-Su Valley and in 1999 in the Kenai Peninsula. Realizing the best way to generate blood collections was to take the blood collection process to the people, Blood Bank of Alaska purchased its first self contained mobile collection unit in 1999. The LIFEmobile coach was funded entirely through community donations. In 2005, Blood Bank of Alaska opened the Fairbanks Center. A second coach was purchased in 2008, to expand the mobile collections capabilities to cover the hundreds of mobile drives held each year from Dead Horse to Dutch Harbor. From the original 682 units collected that first year, Blood Bank of Alaska now collects over 24,000 units each year. The vision of Dr. Beirne has transformed into a multi-site, multi-service blood bank that continues to serve Alaska. Blood Bank of Alaska opened a new central facility in Anchorage in 2016, which will serve the community for the next 50 years.

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Connections working at Blood Bank of Alaska