Lab at Altus Community Healthcare in Baytown, TX

The Laboratory Lead - supports the Director of Laboratory Services and facility leadership by keeping assigned laboratory areas organized, survey-ready, and compliant with approved ACH, CLIA, COLA, safety, infection-control, and laboratory documentation expectations. This role supports laboratory operations by reviewing logs, tracking missing documentation, maintaining lab compliance bins/binders, assisting with competency and proficiency-testing documentation, supporting inventory and expiration controls, and communicating follow-up needs to the appropriate owner.

This position does not replace the Director of Laboratory Services, Laboratory Director, Technical Consultant, Clinical Consultant, Medical Director, or any required CLIA/COLA-designated role unless HR, Compliance, and laboratory leadership formally confirm the employee is qualified and designated for that role. The position functions under the direction of the Director of Laboratory Services for laboratory compliance and works with the Facility Director for local operational follow-up.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent from an accredited school required.

• Minimum of 1 year of laboratory, phlebotomy, ER lab, or related clinical laboratory support experience required; 3+ years preferred for a two-facility lead support role.

• Phlebotomy certification, Medical Assistant certification, MLT/MLS coursework, or similar laboratory/clinical training preferred.

• Prior freestanding ER, micro-hospital, urgent care, hospital, or outpatient laboratory experience preferred.

• Experience with QC logs, temperature logs, proficiency testing, competency documentation, reagent/supply expiration monitoring, and survey readiness preferred.

• Must meet applicable personnel qualifications for any testing, training, or delegated laboratory duties assigned by the Director of Laboratory Services.

• Must be able to travel between approved ACH sites if assigned.

• Must be comfortable with scanning, saving, naming, and organizing electronic documents, using email, and maintaining Excel/Google Sheet trackers.

• Must be able to communicate clearly with clinical staff, facility leadership, and laboratory leadership.

LANGUAGE/MATH/REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, policies, correspondence, checklists, laboratory logs, and regulatory documentation.

• Ability to write clear professional emails, summaries, and action-tracker updates.

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide; calculate rates, ratios, percentages, dates, due dates, and expiration intervals.

• Ability to apply common sense and escalate issues appropriately when several variables or competing priorities are present.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Basic to intermediate computer skills required.

• Ability to use email, Microsoft Office, Excel/Google Sheets, document scanning, shared drives, and approved compliance/lab tracking systems.

• Ability to maintain consistent file naming, version control, and document-location discipline.

Competencies:

• Professional Maturity: Separates emotions from the issue and handles concerns calmly.

• Accountability: Follows up until assigned items are closed.

• Attention to Detail: Identifies missing signatures, dates, logs, expirations, lot numbers, and documentation gaps.

• Organization: Structures tasks, trackers, binders, and electronic files so documents can be found quickly.

• Communication: Writes and speaks clearly; actively listens and gives professional feedback.

• Integrity and Respect: Reports issues honestly and protects confidentiality.

• Problem Solving: Identifies root causes and recommends practical corrective actions.

• Teamwork: Works with Nicole, facility leadership, RTs, nurses, AAs, providers, and compliance partners.

• Quality: Maintains high standards for survey readiness and laboratory documentation.

• Judgment: Knows what can be handled independently and what must be escalated.

Physical Demands:

• Requires adequate visual acuity to inspect documents, labels, reagents, logs, and equipment displays.

• Requires ability to hear and communicate with or without correction.

• May require standing, walking, reaching, bending, kneeling, climbing stairs, and repetitive hand/wrist motion.

• May require lifting, pushing, pulling, or moving items up to 40 pounds occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, consistent with facility policy.