Posting Note: The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH) is seeking a full-time Clinical Chemist to direct a new program in Special Chemistry, focused on high-complexity specialized pediatric testing. Candidates must be a PhD clinical chemist with board certification/eligibility from the American Board of Clinical Chemistry, or MD pathologist with board certification/eligibility in clinical pathology (CP or AP/CP) with subspecialty in Clinical Chemistry. The Director of Special Chemistry will provide administrative and technical direction of a new section of the laboratory focusing on biochemical genetics, mass spectrometry assays, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and autoimmune/allergy assays. Prior experience in electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, chromatography and mass spectometry is essential. The successful candidate will direct the strategic development of our recently approved metabolic laboratory, including equipment selection, recruitment of personnel, phased implementation, validation of test menu, and optimization and interpretation of results. The Clinical Chemist will oversee quality control and quality assurance programs in special chemistry and will maintain laboratory compliance with accrediting and regulatory agencies. Strong skills in automated chemistry, point of care, pre-analytics, and laboratory information systems are also expected. The candidate must have outstanding communication skills and provide consultative services regarding test methodology, interpretation, and 'best practice' test utilization strategies. Academic appointment at the University of Arizona College of Medicine at Phoenix is expected, as a significant portion of time will be dedicated to teaching activities for fellows, residents and students. Additional academic appointments at Mayo Clinic Arizona and Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix are available. Scholarship, collaborative research, and participation in multidisciplinary teams is expected.

Provides medical and scientific direction for the Special Chemistry program, including high complexity testing such as Mass Spectrometry, Hemoglobin Electrophoresis, and Autoimmune/Allergy testing for the PCH healthcare system. Partners with Director of Automated Chemistry and Point of Care to support overall direction of Chemistry Section.

1. Operations
   • Responsible for the overall operation of the Special Chemistry section of the laboratory, in collaboration with the Director of Chemistry and Point of Care, the Laboratory Director, and the operations management team. Works with the Section Supervisor to hire and manage an experienced technical staff. Serves as scientific consultant in collaborative leadership with the Director of Chemistry and Point of Care.
2. Test Method Implementation, Verification and Performance
   • Selects, validates, and implements new methods and procedures in Clinical Chemistry with focus on Special Chemistry. Ensures verification procedures are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision, and other performance characteristics of the method. Ensures that testing systems developed in the laboratory perform with high quality for all aspects of test performance, including pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing. Ensures that personnel are performing methods as required to provide accurate and reliable results. Selects new instrumentation and approves new instrumentation acquisition decisions. Reviews section policies and procedures. Test development goals include implementation of mass spectrometry, hemoglobin electrophoresis, autoimmune and allergy testing, and disaccharidase enzyme testing.
3. Quality Assurance and Improvement
   • Responsible for the implementation and oversight of proficiency testing, quality control and quality improvement programs. Identifies failures in quality as they occur. Ensures necessary remedial actions are taken and documented whenever significant deviations from the laboratory`s established performance standards are identified. Works with section supervisor to ensure that all testing personnel receive the appropriate training for the type and complexity of testing provided and demonstrate competency to perform all testing operations reliably. Establishes operations standards for cost control, waste reduction, and safety.
4. Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance
   • Responsible for ensuring that lab meets or exceeds all accreditation requirements including CLIA, CAP, and Joint Commission. Ensures appropriate enrollment in proficiency testing activities required by regulations and accrediting organizations. Ensures regulatory compliance with federal standards and state laws.
5. Clinical and Technical Consultation
   • Responsible for the interpretation of clinical chemistry testing, as needed, including hemoglobin electrophoresis and mass spectrometry interpretation. Provides consultation to laboratory staff and medical staff pertaining to clinical chemistry testing. Provides consultation regarding appropriate test utilization. Consults with testing personnel and department customers to resolve technical and clinical problems, acting as resource for laboratory staff and medical staff. Establishes lines of communication with customers to ensure timely response to new clinical service trends affecting program planning. Assures that test reports contain all necessary information for accurate interpretation. Serves on hospital or system committees as a liaison for the laboratory. The clinical chemist will be a resource for clinicians by assisting in test selection and test interpretation for testing within the Special Chemistry section, and other Clinical Chemistry testing upon request.
6. System Integration
   • Interacts closely with physicians and other clinical providers to evaluate novel technologies and provide technical expertise on existing platforms. Ensures appropriate use of chemistry testing and advocates for best practice in specimen collection to optimize diagnostic yield. Works closely with laboratory information system analysts and hospital IT leadership to optimize laboratory informatics, including specimen barcoding and tracking, test ordering, auto-verify functions, test reporting, test utilization, and data analytics.
7. Strategic Planning
   • Works collaboratively with the section supervisor and leadership team to develop strategic goals pertaining to operations, quality improvement, and growth opportunities in clinical chemistry. Advises leadership of developing trends and clinical service needs. Identifies growth and outreach opportunities through at least annual evaluation of send-out testing volumes. Works with laboratory management to develop operations and capital budgets to ensure appropriate business investments and fiscal responsibility. Seeks to optimize operational efficiency through use of automation and information technology tools.
8. Professional Development
   • Continues personal and professional development to enhance job-related competency, including participation in national meetings, committees, and other opportunities for continuing education. Develops regional or national recognition for expertise in clinical chemistry through leadership and/or scholarly contributions. Manages time and resources effectively. Collaborates with researchers to develop and implement projects pertaining to clinical chemistry testing. Identifies area of expertise resulting in publications, lectures, and other scholarly activity.
9. Education
   • Provides in-service training and other educational programs for trainees, laboratory staff and medical staff, including lectures and direct supervision for rotators in the Clinical Chemistry section, as well as participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, departmental conferences, grand rounds, or similar activities.
10. Positive behaviors and Professionalism
    • Maintains a positive working relationship with peers, management and customers at all times. Communicates openly, honestly, respectfully and directly. Maintains privacy at all times for patients and employee information. Offers help to others to solve problems and complete tasks to facilitate communication and positive team dynamics. Consistently displays productive work habits. Demonstrates accountability for actions and decisions in daily work. Solicits and accepts feedback in a positive manner. Offers constructive input to support the work unit. Shows leadership attributes of flexibility, adaptability and resilience.
11. Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.

Mission

To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families

Vision

Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.

We realize this vision by:

• Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
• Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
• Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
• Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families

Values

• We place children and families at the center of all we do
• We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
• We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
• We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
• We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable