Job Description / Duties

The Reproductive Care Centre is recruiting a Clinical Laboratory Director to lead laboratories at multi-site IVF clinics in Ontario and Manitoba. The successful candidate has clinical experience in human andrology and embryology with leadership duties over the clinics. The Lab Director is an active hands-on leader responsible for the overall administration and management of the laboratories.

Duties:
• Maintain the technical, scientific, and administrative aspects of the laboratories in accordance with Federal, Provincial, and Regulatory agencies.
• Responsible for the overall operation and administration of the laboratories, including employment and development of competent personnel to perform test, andrology, and embryology procedures.
• Select and verify test methodologies and procedures to support fertility treatment
• Regularly evaluate the feasibility and economics of bringing in-house tests and fertility procedures that are either performed externally or not at all, and recommend and implement when feasible
• Establish a robust quality control/quality management program.
• Resolve technical difficulties, measure productivity and effectiveness to identify training needs, and maintain technical competency of embryologists and andrologists
• Maintain up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures in all aspects of the laboratory operation that drives quality and productivity, while minimizing variability and mitigating risk exposure and mistakes.
• Regularly assess the SOPs in terms of mitigating the risk of Black Swan or low-probability, high-impact events
• Assign job descriptions and duties to all laboratory personnel.
• Regularly review lab quality and performance metrics to target and drive improvements in quality and efficiency, and reduce variability within and across personnel
• Work cooperatively with a multidisciplinary team to provide patient-centered care, while meeting the objectives and goals of the practice.
• Ensure testing systems provide quality laboratory services for all aspects of test performance, which includes the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing.
• Ensure verification procedures used are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision, and other pertinent performance characteristics of the method.
• Ensure all remedial actions are taken and documented whenever significant deviations from the laboratory’s established performance characteristics are identified.
• Ensure policies and procedures are established for monitoring individuals who conduct testing to maintain competency and identify needs for remedial training or continuing education to improve skills.
• Ensure the laboratories are always compliant with all inspection and accreditation parameters.
• Maintain effective communication with the medical/clinical directors and the physicians/clinical teams.
• Foster a spirit of teamwork and unity among laboratory staff members, expeditious conflict resolution, and the appreciation of diversity as well as cohesiveness, supportiveness, and working effectively together.
• Must collaborate with the Medical Director to ensure appropriate implementation of the Regulations within the Lab and Clinic.
• Must have or gain an understanding of the Safety of Ova and Sperm Regulations and/or Health Canada Regulations when working with Donor Gametes.

Qualifications / Required Skills

• Four+ years’ experience as laboratory director with full knowledge and competency in laboratory management and directorship and complete proficiency in all assisted reproduction procedures with extensive organizational, motivational and leadership qualities – ideally having supported significant growth as demonstrated by increase in volume, efficiency, performance, personnel, and new capabilities and services over that period
• Intimate knowledge of all andrology and embryology procedures, with CFAS certification in embryology and andrology
• Certified/accredited or eligible for certification and accreditation by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society as Clinical Laboratory Director in both andrology and embryology.
• PhD degree in biology or the biological sciences from an accredited university is preferred.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge in eIVF or similar advanced EMR.
• Ability to prioritize, organize workload and plan independently.
• Self-motivated to identify and drive new opportunities and improvements for the lab
• Exceptional phone etiquette and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstration of good attendance and work performance.
• Knowledgeable and experience providing a safe and inclusive environment to gender and sexually diverse people (2SLGBTQIA+)
• Ability to mentor and develop entry andrologists and embryologists with minimal attrition
• Committed to patient centered care.

Additional Information

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an environment of diversity and accessibility.

Contact Information

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume (in one document) to joyce.kurien@thefertilitypartners.com

Employer Profile

We provide insight, hope and care for patients who have concerns about their fertility and overall reproductive health. Our goal is to meet the needs of our patients with sensitivity and compassion. We pride ourselves in delivering care to our patients to the best of our ability. Our goal, is to make sure that everyone feels respected, informed, empowered and supported. We are always working to improve our services through seeking cutting-edge technologies, promoting continuing education and self-assessment, also, by inviting input from patients, staff and from experts in the field and outside our community. Adhering to these principles we seek the respect confidence and satisfaction of all the patients we serve.