VP Laboratory and Pathology Services
: Job Details :

About Tufts Medicine:

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. The health system is the principal teaching affiliate for Tufts University School of Medicine. The strong relationship between Tufts Medicine and Tufts University School of Medicine is evident in our governance, academic and research structure. Tufts Medicine is comprised of the following clinical entities:

· Tufts Medicine Professional Group (TMPG)

· Tufts Medicine Integrated Network (TMIN)

· Tufts Medical Center

· Lowell General Hospital

· MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford

· Tufts Care at Home

Job Overview

Provides strategic and operational leadership for Tufts Medicine's Pathology and Laboratory Program, including the laboratory departments at each of the system hospital entities. Assures the efficient and effective delivery of high-quality inpatient, outpatient, and outreach laboratory services by proactively monitoring and overseeing the effective execution of the existing Management Services Agreement (MSA), while also leading the remaining laboratories within the Tufts Medicine system and other pathology groups contracted by Tufts Medicine. The MSA partnership is an outsource enterprise through a third-party/vendor entity.

Develops and manages appropriate strategic relationships for the delivery of high-quality, efficient laboratory services and works collaboratively with the program Medical Directors and management partners to ensure optimal laboratory service delivery to patients and medical staff.

Expected to continuously improve and optimize existing services through quality improvement management best practices. Oversee path and lab medicine organization operations, governance structure with MSA partner, management services and hiring practices across Tufts Medicine.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Laboratory Science or related science.

2. Ten (10) years of experience in clinical laboratory management.

3. Experience in multi-facility clinic laboratory management as well as hospital laboratory business management experience.

4. Experience in and knowledge of vendor/contracting relationships.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. PhD in a related field, Master's degree in Health Administration, and/or Master's degree in Business Administration.

2. Five (5) years of experience in an academic medical center.

3. Outpatient laboratory experience.

4. Experience with EPIC.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Clinical and Business Operations Oversight

• Oversees execution of the Management Services Agreement (MSA) and the operations of the remaining laboratories not governed by the MSA, to deliver the highest quality, customer-responsive, efficient lab services throughout Tufts Medicine. Continually improves quality and efficiency of laboratory systems to support superior clinical services to existing laboratory users.
• Coordinates with the Pathology Chair and affiliate facility medical directors to lead the coordination, harmonization, and efficient delivery of laboratory services and associated training programs across the Tufts Medicine system.
• Leads and coordinates the governance structure for managing the MSA relationship.
• Partners effectively with Pathologists to maximize quality, mutual respect, timely turnaround, and great customer service to system providers and patients.
• Partners with medical directors across the system to drive quality improvements including test menus, send-out lab management, etc.
• Provides primary operational and financial oversight and management of the laboratories not governed by Management Services Agreements.
• Establishes operating practices for cost control, waste reduction, quality assurance, employee satisfaction, customer service and complete on-time delivery.
• Develops and supports common standard operating procedures, evaluate, and optimize vendor/supplier relationships.
• Builds strong relationships with the contracted laboratory management professionals.
• Attends and provide oversight to Quality Sub-committee, Joint Operating Council and Governance Council meetings.
• Supports the implementation and ongoing success of the EPIC system.
• Standardizes technologies across the system where appropriate.

2. Strategic Planning

• Develops and implements the goals and objectives of Tufts Medicine Laboratory Program that align with system goals in conjunction with the clinical and facility leadership. To develop these goals, the VP must constantly monitor feedback from senior leadership, Medical Directors, physicians, clinical care teams and laboratory personnel.
• Continually objectively assesses progress toward goals, adjusting operating plans as necessary.
• In collaboration with local management and strategic planning department, identifies opportunities for collaboration across system hospital laboratories to review existing and optimize inter-institutional programs.
• Monitors success of business initiatives and management services agreement KPIs.
• Supports the education and research mission of Tufts Medicine.

3. Financial

• In conjunction with Tufts Medicine Laboratory Directors and laboratory management teams, prepares laboratory capital and operating budgets for lab. Monitors financials to assure that budgetary goals are met or exceeded, and deviations are adequately understood, and appropriate action taken.
• Evaluates laboratory services to maximize efficiency and reduce expense to owner institutions.
• Reviews invoices for Management Services Agreement and reference testing for accuracy and to ensure appropriate fee schedules are leveraged.
• Evaluates FTE change requests for business justification and clinical impact.
• With Finance, establishes and coordinates the transfer of expenses between affiliates as required for shared testing services. Interacts with Tufts Medicine finance executives and accountants to assure accurate, timely forecasts, budgets, and financial reporting.
• Partners with Tufts Medicine Revenue Cycle team to assure appropriate revenue capture, and to develop/implement charge program for management services STAT testing provision.
• Provides input into laboratory charge description master.

4. Regulatory/Compliance/Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement

• Provides leadership to the laboratories in a way that maximizes quality through the development and implementation of quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives; cost effectiveness through efficient and effective delivery of quality clinical services; and supports the program and operational needs of Tufts Medicine through involvement and participation in program and service development.
• Works collaboratively with the Medical Director(s) and pathologists to assure quality, timely and appropriate clinical services are provided to all patients.
• Works with the management services company to ensure that the Departments are in compliance with all applicable federal regulations regarding clinical or research operations (e.g. TJC, CAP, CLIA, DPH, OSHA, fire safety code, etc.). and all applicable regulatory agencies regarding billing compliance issues (e.g. CMS, OIG, etc.). Work with Tufts Medicine Compliance Officers to develop and implement an effective compliance program.

4. Goals and Objectives

• Actively supports and oversees the execution of the management services agreement ensuring that Tufts Medicine mission and core values are infused into program operations. Treats all others with respect and demonstrates excellence, justice and compassion in daily work and relationships with others.
• Maintains confidentiality of all information related to patients, medical staff, employees, and as appropriate, other information.
• Demonstrates service excellence and positive interpersonal relations in dealing with others, including patients/families/members, employees, managers, medical staff, volunteers, and community members, so that productivity and positive relations are maximized.
• Consistently demonstrates and incorporates principles of safety and infection control into daily activities. Uses protective equipment and takes appropriate precautions whenever there is potential for contact with blood, body fluids and/or chemicals. Participates in fire and disaster drills.
• Develops individual objectives consistent with the Management requirements. Measures and reports on individual objectives monthly.

5. Business Acumen

• Proven ability to successfully build relationships with key stakeholders, including but not limited to; CEOs, Executive Leadership team and leaders across the system, medical staff, lab staff.
• Ensures that all departments meet service level agreements, quality standards, and performance goals based on the development and monitoring of cost and process metrics.
• Advocates for the desired culture in high-level planning and decision making, with a focus on performance accountability and achieving greater operational efficiencies.
• Applies current knowledge and understanding of regulations, industry trends, current best practices, new developments, and applicable laws to ensure operational and financial effectiveness. Partner to ensure regulatory compliance for all areas of responsibility.
• Acts as a key participant in the strategic and long-range planning of the organization. Integrate long range plans with operational plans and capital priorities.
• Analyzes operations to evaluate performance in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy changes.

Physical Requirements:

1. Work environment: professional office environment with typical office requirements such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, etc.

2. This is largely a sedentary role, which involves sitting most of the time, but may involve movements. such as walking, standing, reaching, ascending / descending stairs and operate office equipmen.t

3. Frequently required to speak, hear, communicate, and exchange information.

4. Ability to see and read computers displays, read fine print, and/or normal type size print and distinguish letters, numbers, and symbols.

5. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

6. Ability to work in confined or open environments.

7. Ability to work independently, remotely or in person, and in a team environment.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Strong business acumen with a focus on laboratory operations and accounting and an in-depth working knowledge of laboratory medicine and management.

2. Strong analytical ability and attention to detail.

3. Working knowledge of electronic medical records and other IT systems and information networks/interfaces is necessary.

4. Ability to communicate effectively to and gain consensus among a wide group of staff and stakeholders.

5. Presentation and interpersonal skills that display a “presence” of leadership in a wide range of settings.

6. Excellent leadership skills, demonstrated experience in developing high functioning teams.

7. Strong acumen in driving change in a collaborative and respectful manner that obtains results with buy-in.

8. Ability to handle multiple, competing priorities.

9. Ability to write competently.

10. Sensitivity with respect to Human Resources issues.

Job Profile Summary

​This role focuses on a broad range of diagnostic and clinical testing services provided to support patient care, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of health conditions within a lab setting. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Laboratory Leadership duties: Controls, directs, and participates in the activities of the organization through a hierarchy of managers and supervisors. Responsibilities also include long-term strategic planning, determining the policies of the organization, and allocating its resources and making decisions regarding organization growth and diversification to accomplish entity's vision. An executive role that provides strategic vision and/or tactical/strategic direction across multiple teams with the majority of time spent on overseeing area of responsibility and directing the responsibilities of employees. Goal achievement is typically accomplished through performance of direct and/or indirect reports. An entity sub-function head role accountable to establish and implement strategies that have short to mid-term (1-3 years) impact on business results in alignment with function objectives. Leads multiple teams of directors/senior managers and managers and develops short to mid-term (1-3 years) plans for optimizing the function or sub-function and the talent required to execute strategies in job area.

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at ...@tuftsmedicine.org.