Medical laboratory manager

Medical laboratory managers oversee the daily operations of a medical laboratory. They manage employees and communicate the schedule of activities. They monitor and ensure all laboratory operations are performed according to specifications, arrange the necessary laboratory equipment and assure that the appropriate health and safety standards are followed. 

The following job titles also refer to medical laboratory manager:

medical laboratory director of operations
clinical laboratory administrator
medical laboratory administrator
clinical laboratory supervisor
clinical laboratory director of operations
medical laboratory supervisor

Master’s degree is generally required to work as medical laboratory manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Medical laboratory manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to medical laboratory manager.

biochemist
dismantling engineer
research manager
microbiologist
biomedical scientist advanced

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of medical laboratory manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of medical laboratory manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of medical laboratory manager.

Diagnostic methods in medical laboratory: The various types of diagnostic methods in the medical laboratory such as clinical-chemical methods, haematological methods, immune-haematological methods, histological methods, cytological methods and micro-biological methods.
Project management: Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
Medical laboratory technology: The various types and uses of technology and equipment employed in medical laboratories to perform tests on samples in order to identify possible disease-related substances.
Health and safety regulations: Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

These skills are necessary for the role of medical laboratory manager.

Manage schedule of tasks: Maintain an overview of all the incoming tasks in order to prioritise the tasks, plan their execution, and integrate new tasks as they present themselves.
Interpret medical images: Analyse medical images in order to diagnose illnesses and injuries.
Provide test results to medical staff: Record and pass test results to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat patient`s illness.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
Manage operational budgets: Prepare, monitor and adjust operational budgets together with the economical/administrative manager/professionals in the arts institute/unit/project.
Arrange equipment repairs: Arrange for equipment repairs when necessary.
Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
Maintain medical laboratory equipment: Regularly check the condition of medical laboratory equipment used, clean, and perform maintenance operations, as necessary.
Develop project schedule: Define the project completion stages and create a timeline. Synchronise necessary activities, taking into account the convergence of production elements. Establish a schedule.
Supervise laboratory operations: Supervise the staff working in a laboratory, as well as oversee that equipment is functional and maintained, and procedures occur in compliance with regulations and legislation.
Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
Manage inventory: Control product inventory in balance of availability and storage costs.
Plan schedule: Develop the schedule including procedures, appointments and working hours.
Supervise equipment: Start up and shut down equipment; identify and troubleshoot technical problems and conduct minor repairs. Monitor control equipment in order to identify safety and environmental hazards.
Interpret medical results: Interpret, integrate and apply results of diagnostic imaging, laboratory tests and other investigations as part of the assessment of the client, in consultation with other healthcare practitioners.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of medical laboratory manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Biological chemistry: Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Clinical biochemistry: The various types of tests performed on bodily fluids such as electrolytes, renal function tests, liver function tests or minerals.
Paediatric phlebotomy procedures: The paediatric blood collection procedures related to the age and specificity of the children involved, how to interact with children and their family to prepare them for the blood collection procedure and how to engage with children`s anxiety related to needles.
Virology: The structure, characteristics, evolution and interactions of viruses and the diseases they cause.
Clinical cytology: The science of the formation, structure, and function of cells.
Histopathology: The procedures needed for the microscopic examination of stained tissue sections using histological techniques.
Immunology: Immunology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Data protection: The principles, ethical issues, regulations and protocols of data protection.
Microscopic techniques: The techniques, functions and limitations of microscopy to visualise objects that cannot be seen with the normal eye.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of medical laboratory manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
Sterilise medical equipment: Disinfect and clean all medical devices and equipment gathered from operating rooms, wards and other departments of a hospital or clinic and check for bacteria after disinfection using a microscope.
Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
Maintain healthcare user data confidentiality: Comply with and maintain the confidentiality of healthcare users` illness and treatment information.
Assist in the production of laboratory documentation: Assist in documenting laboratory work, especially paying attention to policies and standard operating procedures.
Work with chemicals: Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.

1349 – Professional services managers not elsewhere classified

 

 

---

 

 

References

1. Medical laboratory manager – ESCO