Job Description

The Vice President, Laboratory Services is responsible for all testing and testing-related diagnostic laboratory services for Atantic Health inpatients, outpatients, and outreach customers. These services are provided at AHS hospital laboratories, community-based health pavilions, outpatient clinics, patient service centers, and affiliated healthcare facilities.

Primary activities include development of strategic direction for laboratory services; oversight of the quality, service levels, cost and operational integrity of laboratory services; regulatory compliance and accreditation; effectiveness of laboratory support for AHS's clinical and mission-based programs; and advancing AHS's value-based care strategy.

In addition to oversight of daily operations, the Vice President, Laboratory Services is responsible for physician and nursing relations; coordination of laboratory services with clinical programs; direction of technical operations, proficiency testing, chemical hygiene and safety programs; development and execution of the quality plan; and compliance with CLIA, CAP, OSHA, Joint Commission, FDA and other applicable regulatory and accrediting agencies.

In cooperation with the medical staffs and laboratory medical directors, the Vice President, Laboratory Services ensures that new tests and laboratory services are implemented as appropriate for high quality patient care throughout the continuum of care. This individual will ensure that cross-campus operational and leadership work groups are in place to standardize and continuously improve across all laboratory locations.

The Vice President, Laboratory Services works closely with departments that provide support functions, including Materials Management and Information Services, and with the medical directors and pathologists. In order to be effective in this position, the Vice President, Laboratory Services will be responsible for building strong relationships with leaders and members of the medical staffs as well as the operational Vice Presidents supporting AHS hospitals and physician practices.
Scope of Position:

The Vice President, Laboratory Services has responsibility for laboratory operations across the Atlantic Health System. There are currently 638 FTEs reporting into this position that support numerous facilities, including:
* Atlantic Consolidated Laboratory
* Morristown Medical Center
* Overlook Medical Center
* Chilton Medical Center
* Newton Medical Center
* Hackettstown Medical Center

* CentraState Medical Center
* Union free-standing ED
* Rockaway Ambulatory Surgery Center
* Morristown Ambulatory Surgery Center
* 55 Madison Avenue (Morristown)
* Multiple PSCs and medical practices

Essential functions:
Provide Strategic Direction:
* Establish the vision and direction for laboratory services at Atlantic Health System.
* Build and develop the Laboratory leadership team - actively coach and role-model desired leadership skills and behaviors.
* Integrate with executive leadership across facilities to ensure collaboration and alignment of priorities.
* Manage pathology relationships across the system.
* Work collaboratively with medical staffs and laboratory medical directors to ensure laboratory services effectively support clinical and patient safety initiatives of the system.
* Drive innovation within Laboratory Services to support the future needs of the system.

* Advance a system model for Laboratory Services:

- Lead the advancement of system initiatives.
- Coach, mentor and develop the laboratory technical staff, leaders, and pathologists to ensure successful implementation of system initiatives.
- Communicate and collaborate with clinical and facility stakeholders regarding system laboratory initiatives.

Oversee AHS Laboratory Operations:
* Provide leadership and P&L management over laboratory services. Continually evaluate current operations and identify opportunities for efficiencies, process, and procedure changes. Create a culture of continuous improvement, performance, and accountability.
* Establish clear information flow and usable data in partnership with IT to support utilization strategies, value-based care, payer negotiations, and actionable metrics for continually improving performance and customer/patient experience.
* Create an environment marked by high employee morale, world-class quality and service delivery, and continuous quality improvement.
* Implement workforce development strategies to ensure the long-term availability of technical laboratory staff and leaders.
* Work collaboratively with IT leadership to ensure that appropriate resources are in place to support effective laboratory operations.
* Collaborate with Materials Management to manage key vendor relationships and supply contracts.
* Maintain effective relationships with key medical and nursing staff at all locations served by Atlantic Health Laboratory Services.
* Develop annual operating budget, capital budget, and operational plan.
* Achieve annual operating targets relative to AHS strategic goals - quality; customer service; team member engagement; financial performance.
* Ensure operations and policies are in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations and accreditation requirements.

Other Functions:
* Perform all other related duties as required.
* Maintain knowledge and skills required to work in an environment with significant risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious disease.
* Participate in Atlantic Health quality improvement projects and programs.
Physical Requirements:
* This position requires extensive walking, standing, sitting, and driving. Work is conducted in a wide variety of locations across northern, western, and central New Jersey and involves interactions with a variety of team members and medical staff. Rounding on staff will be required on off shifts, including nights and weekends.

Education and Experience:
This position must be held by an individual who has had considerable experience in complex laboratory operations, including outreach services.
* An advanced degree in health care or business administration (MHA, MBA, MD) is required.
* Desirable but not required - Medical Technologist with ASCP or comparable certification; or Bachelor's degree in biologic science.
* At least ten years of progressively more responsible laboratory management experience is required.
* Experience within an integrated health care system, including outreach/reference lab services, is required. Experience in a commercial lab environment is desirable.
* Experience balancing the needs of customers in the acute care setting with medical group/ambulatory settings is required.

* A successful track record with mergers and acquisitions in the laboratory setting is preferred.
* Experience creating a lab formulary for offering the right test at right time at the right cost in conjunction with Pharmacy and Therapeutics and the Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) is desirable

Qualifications

Other Qualifications:
* Demonstrated ability to collaborate with all members of the health care team. A track record of excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
* Ability to set a clear vision and goals for Laboratory Services and infuse it with positive energy and enthusiasm.
* Demonstrated success in collaborating with and engaging pathologists.
* A track record of success managing change and continuous improvement.
* Accountability for results and consistent follow through to achieve them.
* Demonstrated problem solving and critical thinking skills.
* Ability to synthesize and interpret large amounts of quality and financial data.
* A thorough understanding of the health care environment and all applicable laws and regulations.
* A leader who is a humble servant leader and can work with all levels within the organization so that the entire enterprise "wins" together.

Personal Characteristics:
* A person of high integrity. One who gains the confidence of others and supports them to be successful.
* A servant. One whose primary purpose is to serve the legitimate needs of their team, through which patients are ultimately served.
* A change agent. A creative thinker who can build consensus and align others around a vision that is executable.
* A person with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability, a high tolerance for ambiguity, and one who is comfortable in a very complex organization.
* A high-energy individual who has a team focus.
* A strong communicator - in all directions, with all constituents. One who can share the positive as well as the negative. Creates an environment in which open dialogue is encouraged and expected.
* Appropriately vocal. One who is not afraid to voice his/her opinions.
* A strong decision-maker who analyzes facts, understands needs, and can make timely decisions.
* A mentor. Someone who is focused on growth of the individual members of the laboratory team and fosters performance at a higher level.
* A visible leader. One who is comfortable being on the front lines.
* An environmental creator. One who embraces change and creates the opportunity for growth and innovation within the team.

About Us

About the Team

Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care powered by a workforce of more than 18,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, the system offers more than 400 sites of care, including eight award-winning medical centers. Specializing in cardiovascular care, cancer care, orthopedics, neuroscience, pediatrics, women's health and rehabilitation medicine. Atlantic Medical Group, comprised of 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers, represents one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey and includes finance, legal, marketing, human resources, talent acquisition, ISS and more. Caring for our patients, our team members and the communities we serve is our central mission.