Lab Director (MD Biochemistry)

Position purpose:

The Lab Director will develop the newborn screening and diagnostic services for inherited metabolic disorders to meet the increasing demands in this complex specialty and to assist in the provision of a comprehensive pediatric Clinical Biochemistry/ Biochemical Genetics service specializing in diagnosing and monitoring of infants, children and adults with inherited metabolic disorders. The aim and goals of the Lab Director includes and not limited

• to providing the analytical verification and interpretation of laboratory results and the clinical advisory services on the diagnosis and management of patients within the scope of his/her professional competence.
• to maintain and develop the scientific and analytical objectives of the laboratories with particular emphasis on, but not restricted to, the diagnosis of inherited metabolic disorders within the resources available including  providing an expert analytical, interpretive and clinical advisory service in these areas.
• to work independently within professional guidelines set by the department.
• to be responsible for maintaining the quality management systems in the lab that the department complies with the regulatory requirements.
• to carry out audits, service development, research and development within the department.
• to take an active role in all aspects of clinical/medical scientist staff development including training/retraining and higher education.

Responsibilities and Authorities:

The Lab Director will be required to carry out the duties of a Consultant Clinical Biochemist at Lifecell. The responsibilities include:

a) Clinical Service responsibilities:

1.    Responsible to relate and function effectively with applicable accrediting (ISO 15189: 2012) and regulatory agencies, appropriate administrative officials, healthcare community, patient population served, providers of formal agreements and the service provided whenever required.

2.    To participate as part of the existing teams in the provision of Clinical Biochemistry services in the direction, development and responsibility for the clinical biochemistry laboratory.

3.    To work closely with colleagues in the laboratory and provide development and direction of the newborn screening laboratory for Inherited Metabolic Disorders.

4.    Review testing and quality assurance in the Laboratories Newborn screening biochemical genetics laboratory. Testing includes organic acids, amino acids, and other tests for inborn errors of metabolism, newborn screening using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis for screening of hemoglobinopathies in newborns using dried blood spot cards, cord blood, peripheral whole blood and estimation of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in adults.

5.    Review and approval of internal quality control values, EQAS samples, ILC samples and relevant Quality records.

6.    Responsible for the provision of clinical advice, professional, scientific, consultative or advisory with respect to the choice of examinations.

b) Research Responsibilities:

1.   Establish clinical test performance parameters.

2.   Supervise strategic test development and improvement efforts for biochemical genetics, including assessment of new assay potential, assay invention, and method selection and validation.

3.   To evaluate the validation data and reviewing the abnormal results based on the cut-offs obtained from the validation.

4.   Collaborate with other researchers or initiate basic or clinical research projects on metabolic disorders.

5.   Publish articles in peer reviewed research journals, review articles, interesting case report series to share the findings with the scientific community.

6.   Be active in professional organizations in Biochemical Genetics at the local and national level, and maintain a continuing education program in the field.

c) Administrative Responsibilities:

1.   Has the responsibility to ensure appropriate numbers of staff with the required education, training and competence are available at all times that meet the needs and requirements of the users and International standards.

2.   Has the responsibility and authority to delegate / evaluate, select, periodical rating of laboratory suppliers, referral laboratories, service providers and monitoring the quality of their service.

3.   Has the responsibility of implementing appropriate quality management systems in the laboratory.

4.   Authorizing Corrective action proposals for audit findings.

5.   Has the responsibility of monitoring the laboratory staff adhering to the laboratory safety, personnel safety, Environmental and health safety policy and procedure of the organization.

6.    Review and approval of General procedures, Technical procedures and SOP for the smooth running of the laboratory.

7.   Identifying training needs for personnel reporting to him/her, organizing and ensuring training is provided.

8.   Ensuring timely completion of all lab investigation and furnishing authentic reports to the patients.

9.   Approval of final test reports.

10. Processes within the laboratory services shall be designed to assure confidentiality of laboratory data.

11. Maintaining strict control on Biomedical waste disposal in the laboratory.

12. Assigning responsibility and authority for all personnel specified in the organization chart reporting to him.

13. To participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and in relevant quality assurance schemes and proficiency testing.

14.  In absence of Medical director, lab director may take over the responsibilities.

15. Address any complaint, request or suggestion from staff and/or users of laboratory services