JAMENA B. WATSON
Houston,TX
Summary
Proactive and meticulous Healthcare Professional with over 15 years of experience in the Clinical Laboratory industry, exhibiting proficiencies in quality assurance, problem resolution, cost management, equipment and inventory management, and staff training and development. Collaborative and effective leader recognized for creating positive workplace culture and high-performing teams by mentoring and challenging team members to meet and exceed organizational goals. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best align and enhance the organizational culture and mission. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Laboratory Manager
The Woman's Hospital of Texas
02.2024 - Current
- Analyze data to identify trends and opportunities in laboratory performance, and utilize results to drive improvements and/or implement CAPA measures
- Collaborate with and support other hospital units and service areas to ensure patient safety and provide the best patient experience
- Provide guidance for the overall direction of laboratory operations, consulting with the Laboratory Director and hospital Chief Operating Officer as needed
- Ensure appropriate staffing daily by managing schedules for more than 45 team members
- Optimize productivity and ensure budgetary goals are met
- Enhance quality management program to strengthen lab performance and ensure compliance with regulatory standards
- Foster a positive working environment by promoting open communication among team members and addressing any conflicts promptly.
- Developed and implemented standard operating procedures to streamline workflows, minimize errors, and reduce waste
- Conducted competency and performance assessments of laboratory personnel
- Sustained positive relationships with clients, vendors, and support teams to cultivate streamlined operations and maintain success as one of the top 3 performing spoke laboratories, nationwide
- Developed and maintained an organized inventory system which promoted cost savings.
Laboratory Manager
Zoetis Reference Laboratories
08.2022 - 12.2023
- Optimized productivity and ensured budgetary goals were met
- Established quality management program to enhance overall lab performance and ensure compliance
- Interviewed, hired and trained laboratory personnel on laboratory procedures, safety protocols and equipment use
- Fostered a positive working environment by promoting open communication among team members and addressing any conflicts promptly.
- Developed and implemented standard operating procedures to enhance workflow efficiency, minimize errors, and reduce waste
- Conducted competency and performance assessments of laboratory personnel
- Sustained positive relationships with clients, vendors, and support teams to cultivate streamlined operations and maintain success as one of the top 3 performing spoke laboratories, nationwide
- Developed and maintained an organized inventory system which promoted cost savings.
Quality Analyst
LabCorp
02.2018 - 07.2022
- Developed weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual statistical reports for leadership team and quality improvement program and provided regular updates to team leadership on quality metrics by communicating consistency problems or production deficiencies
- Provided analytical, planning and coordination support on projects as assigned, reviewing, interpreting, analyzing and illustrating data to stimulate and support enlightened decision making
- Completed deficiency documentation and recorded findings of inspection process, collaborating with quality team members and department managers to implement procedural remedies
- Collaborated with other leaders to provide training on improved processes and assisted with creation and maintenance of quality training
- Enhanced training materials and conducted weekly on-boarding sessions to train incoming team members
- Led process improvement projects to help operations meet and exceed quality standards and reduce errors, risks, and costs
- Compiled and distributed weekly feedback to team leaders and managers to improve service time and quality while increasing productivity
- Created and revised procedures, checklists and job aids to align with testing protocols and company guidelines
- Partnered with management to create, develop and implement quality initiatives
- Collected and analyzed activity data and initiated, developed and recommended improvements to systems, processes and procedures to increase productivity and reduce costs
- Administered 1-2 internal audits per month and assessed results to increase visibility of risks and implement corrective actions
Laboratory Supervisor
Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital (Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine)
11.2014 - 03.2018
- Performed all responsibilities of Medical Technologist
- Oversaw in-depth laboratory inspections and contributed to favorable outcomes
- Managed quality assurance standards to maximize operations and performance
- Prepared employee schedules according to individual needs and skills, as well as coverage requirements
- Created and reviewed quality control reports as needed
- Maintained equipment and facilities in good working order
- Executed corrective actions when test controls and instrument functionality were outside specified limits
- Performed venipunctures, fingersticks, heel-sticks, drug screen, sputum, and urine specimen collection procedures
- Administered alcohol screening tests
- Assisted with patient intake, registration, and triage
- Assisted nurses and physicians with in-room procedures and point-of-care testing.
Medical Technologist
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
05.2015 - 02.2018
- Performed moderate and high complexity testing in Hematology, Coagulation, and Urinalysis specialties of laboratory to aid in diagnosis of medical issues and identification of illnesses for over 250 patients per shift.
- Assisted with in-room bone marrow and blood specimen collection procedures
- Trained students and oriented new medical technologists/technicians in laboratory testing procedures and quality control
- Operated, calibrated and maintained sophisticated instruments and equipment to facilitate quality laboratory and patient care operations
- Maintained required laboratory supplies inventory, and verified viability of supplies prior to use
- Prepared tissue slide smears for microscopic examination by pathologists
Education
Master of Business Administration - Healthcare Administration
Lamar University
Beaumont, TXBachelor of Science - Medical Technology
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MSBachelor of Science - Biological Science
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MSSkills
- Facility Oversight
- Strategic Project Management
- Team Building
- Operational and Procedural Optimization
- Employee & Student Training and Development
- Managing Quality and Regulatory Standards
- Auditing
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action Planning
- Interpersonal Communication
- Test Method and Instrument Validation and Implementation
Certification
Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist, ASCP(cm)
Timeline
Laboratory Manager
The Woman's Hospital of Texas
02.2024 - Current
Laboratory Manager
Zoetis Reference Laboratories
08.2022 - 12.2023
Quality Analyst
LabCorp
02.2018 - 07.2022
Medical Technologist
Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
05.2015 - 02.2018
Laboratory Supervisor
Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital (Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine)
11.2014 - 03.2018
Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology
University of Southern Mississippi
Bachelor of Science - Biological Science
University of Southern Mississippi
Master of Business Administration - Healthcare Administration
Lamar University
Career Highlights
- Collaborating in the start-ups of multiple ancillary laboratories within three separate organizations
- Serving as Administrator of quality and compliance programs for large regional clinical reference laboratory. As Proficiency Testing Program Manager, assisted laboratory with achieving an annual performance average of greater than 98% success.
- Providing leadership in successful completions of accreditation inspections such as CAP, Joint Commission, and ISO 15189. As Internal Audit Program Manager, helped to reduce errors and potential failures within the laboratory by over 70%, across multiple departments.
- Recognized by peers and executive leaders for demonstrating exemplary leadership qualities and high-level performances
- Led team to recognition for top employee engagement score of all labs in the national enterprise