LABORATORY MANAGER 43074

7/1/89 B

This class is the managerial level in the Laboratory Specialist series. This class manages a complex laboratory encompassing various specialties in a teaching, research, clinical, service, or regulatory area. Positions in this class are responsible for making all administrative decisions related to laboratory operations including quality control, compliance with governmental regulations, budgetary projections, long-range planning of laboratory objectives, and development and implementation of laboratory policies. This class is distinguished from the Laboratory Specialist Advanced class by its performance of broad-based administrative functions with responsibility for all laboratory functions and personnel in an organizational unit.

Complexity of Work: Work is of considerable difficulty and requires the exercise of managerial, administrative and developmental abilities in making major decisions often involving several unrelated activities in a complex laboratory environment. Plans and supervises work of a professional staff and technical assistants engaged in all forms of laboratory operations; participates in both the short- and long-range scheduling of laboratory facilities, equipment and staff; oversees quality control and quality assurance programs; teaches and acts as a consultant in a specialty area for a variety of users who represent concerns of medical professions, scientific research, governmental agencies, private industry, and the general public; analyzes existing or pending legislation that may influence research objectives and takes appropriate action when necessary; evaluates laboratory systems designs and recommends improvements; oversees the procurement, distribution, and control of supplies and services; develops budgetary projections and monitors laboratory expenditures; and reviews adequacy of the laboratory organization in regard to space and equipment utilization.

Supervision Given: Manages laboratory activities by either directly or indirectly supervising Laboratory Specialists, Laboratory Specialist Seniors, Laboratory Specialists Advanced, and other support personnel such as Laboratory Technicians and clerical assistants.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from a principal investigator, health administrator, faculty members, or supervisory board.

Scope: Work affects the accuracy, timeliness and quality of services provided to multiple users through the execution of policies and procedures, planning goals and objectives, and evaluation of current protocols and instrumentation for a complex laboratory.

Impact of Actions: Effective job performance positively impacts the credibility of a large and diverse laboratory. Ineffective management could result in damaging the long-term interests of the agency by incurring significant costs in time, money, services, or the confidence of users.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contacts with regulatory boards regarding standards, quality assurance, and laboratory procedures. Frequent internal contacts with service departments (Personnel, Physical Plant, Purchasing) regarding administrative requirements. Frequent external and internal contact with multiple users and collaborators from other laboratories. Occasional contact with vendors to discuss procurement and service contracts.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the theory and application of laboratory methods and instrumentation related to field of assignment. Considerable knowledge of management and administrative functions, laboratory operational systems, and professional and accreditation standards.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to establish, manage, and evaluate the operation of a complex laboratory in a teaching, research, clinical, service or regulatory area; to direct and coordinate the efforts of laboratory personnel; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, clinicians, faculty, and students; to develop, evaluate and administer laboratory objectives, policies and procedures; and to analyze and resolve technical and administrative problems.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, zoology, microbiology, physics or other related science.

Level and Type of Experience: Laboratory experience in a related scientific area, including supervisory and administrative responsibilities.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This is a new class established in July 1989 as a result of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program.