Carol Starks,FACHE
Richmond,USA
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Kaiser Permanente, enhancing laboratory efficiency by 15% through strategic personnel and process management. Skilled in laboratory safety and staff development, I excel in fostering team collaboration and implementing quality control measures. My adaptability and problem-solving abilities drive operational excellence and compliance, ensuring top-notch service delivery. Collaborative leader partners with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Laboratory Administrative Director
Kaiser Permanente
Oakland, USA
03.2014 - 06.2025
- Managed lab personnel recruitment and evaluation processes, contributing to a complete elimination of position vacancies.
- Streamlined processes through proactive monitoring, achieving measurable improvements in accuracy and performance. Resulting in a 15% in department efficiency, and a 10% reduction in errors.
- Controlled costs by optimizing personnel utilization and material consumption, cutting operational expenses by 20%, while maintaining high-quality lab services.
- Spearheaded quality assurance, safety, and risk management programs, reducing incidents by 25%, and ensuring 100% compliance with safety protocols and client satisfaction standards.
Department Director
City Colleges Of Chicago
Chicago, USA
01.2007 - 02.2008
- Oversaw development of medical laboratory technician coursework, aligning with NAACLS and Illinois state compliance standards.
- Directed student counseling, monitored clinical externships, and upheld strategic clinical partnerships.
Medical Technologist
University of Chicago Hospital
Chicago, USA
05.2006 - 02.2008
- Performed pre-transfusion compatibility assessments through test tube and gel methods to achieve a flawless match rate.
- Selected and issued blood components, performed detailed antibody identification, and serological follow-up on transfusion reactions.
- Conducted reagent and equipment surveillance, ensuring adherence to quality control standards through regular audits.
- Prepared freshly collected blood products for transfusion adhering to AABB standards.
Specialty Department Supervisor
St. Francis Memorial Hospital
San Francisco, USA
03.2008 - 03.2014
- Spearheaded the compliance and operational management of the Clinical Laboratory Services department, directly supervising 20 Clinical Laboratory Scientists and Laboratory Support Services staff, achieving a 98% regulatory compliance rate.
- Coordinated the processing of over 5,000 specimens monthly, ensuring accurate and timely test results, resulting in a 15% reduction in turnaround time, and a 10% increase in operational efficiency.
- Led as the interim supervisor for St. Mary's Hospital laboratory services, overseeing specimen processing and department operations, ensuring uninterrupted service, and maintaining a 100% specimen processing accuracy rate.
- Reduced blood availability turnaround time by 24 hours through internalized antibody testing.
- Implemented gel technology, automatic hematology staining, and new Coulter DXs analyzers.
Medical Technologist
Rush University Medical Center, RUMC
Chicago, USA
01.2005 - 05.2006
- Conducted pre-transfusion compatibility testing using both test tube and gel methodologies, ensuring 100% compliance with safety protocols, and contributing to a 15% reduction in transfusion-related incidents.
- Managed the selection and issuance of blood and blood components, accurately processing over 3,000 units monthly, while maintaining zero errors.
- Performed antibody identification, serological analysis, and troubleshooting, resolving transfusion reactions with a 98% success rate, improving patient safety, and treatment outcomes by 10%.
- Completed complicated antibody identifications to include elution, auto and allo absorptions.
Medical Technologist
Methodist Hospitals, Southlake Campus
Merrillville, USA
06.2000 - 03.2005
- Carried out pre-transfusion compatibility testing, selected, and issued blood and blood components, leading to a 98% accuracy rate in transfusion matches, minimizing adverse reactions, and ensuring patient safety
- Implemented comprehensive antibody identification, resolved complex cases, and provided serological follow-up on transfusion reactions, reducing error rates by 15% and improving diagnostic accuracy for critical care cases
- Executed various laboratory procedures in Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, and Chemistry
- Efficiently processed specimens and delivered technical assistance to physicians and nurses, resulting in a 20% reduction in testing turnaround times and enhancing clinical decision-making
Medical Technologist
Laboratory Corporation of America
Valparaiso, USA
04.1997 - 06.2000
- Managed daily operations of a state-of-the-art laboratory, overseeing testing procedures and staff coordination, resulting in a 15% improvement in workflow efficiency and a 20% reduction in turnaround time for test results
- Led the implementation of advanced laboratory protocols and compliance measures, enhancing accuracy by 10% and ensuring consistent adherence to industry standards, which contributed to a 98% regulatory audit success rate
Phlebotomy Program Director
Horizon Career College
Merrillville, USA
03.1995 - 05.1997
- Developed and instructed comprehensive phlebotomy program courses and nursing math classes, mentoring over 100 students annually, resulting in a 95% pass rate on certification exams, and enhanced clinical readiness.
- Led clinical externship coordination, maintained key partnerships with healthcare facilities, and ensured full accreditation compliance with ABHES and the Indiana Commission of Proprietary Education, contributing to a 100% accreditation success rate.
Medical Programs Director
Commonwealth Business
Merrillville, USA
03.1991 - 05.1995
- Directed and instructed a comprehensive curriculum for medical assisting and medical administrative assisting programs, counseling over 100 students, managing clinical externships, and securing clinical contracts.
- This resulted in a 95% externship completion rate, and enhanced student career readiness.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Laboratory Science
Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine And Science
North Chicago, IL08-2010
Master of Science - Healthcare Management
Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine
North Chicago, Illinois06-2007
Certificate - Specialist in Blood Bank Program
University of Illinois-Chicago
Chicago, IL12.2005
Bachelor of Science - General Studies
Indiana University Northwest
Gary, Indiana05.2004
Associate of Science - Medical Laboratory Technology
Indiana University Northwest
Gary, Indiana 08.1989 - 05.1991
Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Organizational skills
- Laboratory Management
- Quality Control
- Project Management
- Safety Protocols
- Staff Training and Development
- Policy management
- Microsoft office
- Inventory and supply oversight
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Interpersonal communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Excellent communication
- Workflow management
- Vendor relationships
- Data analysis
- Problem-solving abilities
- Team collaboration
- Document management
- Professionalism
- Self motivation
- Risk assessment
- Policy and procedure modification
- Project management
- Documentation and control
- Laboratory safety
- Staff training
- Records and database management
- Workflow planning
- Customer service
- Clinical Laboratory Standards
- Analytical skills
Certification
- MLS ASCP, 04/2004
- CA CLS License number MTA 00041679, 12/2008
- MLT ASCP, 06/1991
Professional Bodies
- American College of Healthcare Executives; Fellow 2018
- American Society of Clinical Pathologists
- American Association of Blood Banks
Presentations
- Transfusion Reaction Refresher, Local and national levels
- Anti-D, Quotient
- Root Cause Analysis, Antibody Identification, and Transfusion Reactions, Illinois Association for Blood Banks
- Anti-Jra, Illinois Association for Blood Banks
Timeline
Laboratory Administrative Director
Kaiser Permanente
03.2014 - 06.2025
Specialty Department Supervisor
St. Francis Memorial Hospital
03.2008 - 03.2014
Department Director
City Colleges Of Chicago
01.2007 - 02.2008
Medical Technologist
University of Chicago Hospital
05.2006 - 02.2008
Medical Technologist
Rush University Medical Center, RUMC
01.2005 - 05.2006
Medical Technologist
Methodist Hospitals, Southlake Campus
06.2000 - 03.2005
Medical Technologist
Laboratory Corporation of America
04.1997 - 06.2000
Phlebotomy Program Director
Horizon Career College
03.1995 - 05.1997
Medical Programs Director
Commonwealth Business
03.1991 - 05.1995
Associate of Science - Medical Laboratory Technology
Indiana University Northwest
08.1989 - 05.1991
Master of Science - Clinical Laboratory Science
Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine And Science
Master of Science - Healthcare Management
Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine
Certificate - Specialist in Blood Bank Program
University of Illinois-Chicago
Bachelor of Science - General Studies
Indiana University Northwest
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