Operations Coordinator, Embryology- F/T Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Operations Coordinator, Embryology reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Under the technical direction of the Lab Director and Division Chief and the administrative direction of the Senior Practice Manager, the Operations Coordinator, Embryology participates in the planning, leading, and organizing of activities relating to quality patient care in the practice. This position supervises and personally performs complete human egg fertilization and embryo culturing. This includes microscopic identification of oocytes contained in follicular fluid following the aspiration procedure, classifying the oocytes depending on nuclear characteristics (a measure of oocyte maturation), sperm preparation (washing, isolation, buffer treatment, count, motility analysis), oocyte insemination, microscopic identification of fertilized eggs, cryopreservation of excess embryos, preparation of embryos for transfer to the uterus, thawing of cryopreserved embryos for transfer to the uterus. This position also performs micromanipulation techniques to facilitate fertilization and genetic testing and monitors media quality to assure ability to support growth of embryos.

The Operations Coordinator, Embryology will be responsible for supervising the daily operations of lab site(s), supervising technical lab support personnel, ensuring compliance with lab protocols, and performing service recovery as necessary.

This role manages workload distribution and prioritization of tasks. The Operations Coordinator is also responsible for front-line communication with staff to receive and provide feedback regarding quality and productivity. This position may perform staff work in assigned areas of responsibility when not conducting coordinator function.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise and direct the embryology lab’s technician staff.
• Participate in interviewing, hiring, training, progressive discipline, dismissals, and performance appraisals.
• Oversee and direct day to day lab operations within budget guidelines.
• Assist with managing patient schedules and optimizing patient care hours to enhance productivity.
• Actively monitor quality of activities, operations, and/or embryology projects.
• Provide project leadership including the management of staff members. Prepare and perform complex quality control audits.
• Perform continuous review of embryology projects and activities, identify weaknesses, and recommend corrective course.
• Develop, test, and initiate process and system improvements.
• Ensure adherence to pertinent regulatory requirements and to departmental policies, practices and procedures (SOPs, safety procedures, CAP, and bio-safety protocols).
• Develop training documents for department personnel; maintain training records, documentation, and monitor the on-going training.
• Schedule staff and allocate resources across hours of operation to maximize patient access and satisfaction, provider productivity and efficiency, and staff productivity.
• Ensure that service excellence is delivered and perform service recovery whenever necessary. 
• Manage lab supplies within budget.
• Ensure accuracy of all data collection and data entry by site staff through training and compliance.
• Conduct lab staff meetings on a regular basis.
• Attend and actively participate in manager/coordinator meetings.
• Ensure that patient dignity and confidentiality are maintained at all times.

Additional Functions:

• Review and approve automated time reports for accuracy.
• Develop tools to support staff and enhance efficiency.
• Provide input into staff performance reviews.  May participate with manager in conducting staff performance reviews. Provide one to one coaching and mentoring.
• Plan, execute and resolve all routine technical needs of the practice (equipment needs, etc).
• Resolve complex or critical situations involving patients, staff and customers: consults with manager for guidance as needed (e.g., complaints, discipline, etc.).
• Schedule staff and allocate resources across hours of operation to maximize patient access and satisfaction, provider productivity and efficiency, staff productivity, cost-savings, and operational efficiencies.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures as needed to support the practice.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (B. A. /B. S.) in Biological Sciences or related discipline.
• Six to eight years of related experience in embryology, .
• Supervisory experience.
• (Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above).

Preferred:

• Master’s degree (M. A /M. Sc.)

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.