Karla Eckhart
St. Peters,MO
Summary
Skilled Laboratory Manager knowledgeable about best practices and compliance standards in the Clinical Laboratory field. Well-versed in all facets of operations, including quality assurance, training and safety management. Seeking to dedicate written, verbal and strong organizational abilities gained during 32 year career to a growth-oriented position.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Laboratory Manager
BJC Healthcare
St. Peters, MO
01.2016 - Current
- Oversite role for performance of over 1 million lab test per year under stellar CAP accreditation at both the main hospital and Siteman Cancer Centor location (CLIA only) on the campus of BJSPH.
- People management role for 35 team members together with Supervisor/Coordinator to meet set goals for performance and adherence to personnel policies.
- Develop skills in Supervisor and Coordinator to support BJC leadership competencies and development of talent for future growth.
- Sets, monitors and activity adjusts productivity % for personnel to meet aggressive goals, manage supplies and vendor costs for reduction and participates in all leadership groups to support BJC system goals.
- Participate as BJSPH representative in numerous BJC initiatives, from Quality to Subject Matter Expert for Lab on collaborative teams for example (Infection Prevention, Zero Harm, Quality Results Council, Measuring Success Portfolio).
- Drive performance for CAP accreditation including oversite of inspection preparation and performance, as well as responses post survey. And leading an inspection team from preparation to on-site visit of team perform a CAP survey in Region as assigned by CAP.
- Chairs BJC Laboratory Leadership Group who meets monthly to discuss, collaborate, plan all labs thru standard best practices, choose and implement new or existing Vendor Platforms (LIS to Instrument Technical), leads meetings and makes agenda's for each.
- Actively participates in BJC Wide Supply Chain with purpose to increase cost savings each year by minimum 2.5 million BJC wide in Laboratory. Perform analysis to standardize major instrument platforms by performing KT analysis, participate in focus groups, and vote on final choice for all major changes since 2010 at BJC.
Laboratory Supervisor
BJC Healthcare
St. Peters, MO
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Supervised daily operations of laboratory personnel, ensuring that all activities were completed according to established protocols.
- Provided technical guidance and support to laboratory staff on a variety of techniques in a Core Laboratory setting as well as extend my expertise to Blood Bank.
- Developed and validated analytical methods for testing new products or processes.
- Monitored laboratory inventory levels for reagents and supplies; ordered additional items as needed.
- Conducted training sessions for new lab technicians in proper use of equipment, safety protocols.
- Implemented computerized systems for tracking samples, processing results, and generating reports.
- Developed strategies for improving efficiency within the lab environment through process optimization initiatives.
- Developed exemplary rapport with personnel and patients by demonstrating compassion and scientific expertise.
Laboratory Evening/Night Coordinator
BJC Healthcare
St. Peters, MO
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Lead a team of 10, to cover both evenings and night shift by developing and managing schedule and onboarding. Covering SME (subject matter expert) for Blood bank, participated in standardization decision for Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, and Blood Bank instrument platforms, including influencing BJC to go with Roche over Siemens.
- Organized team events to promote a positive work environment.
- Provided technical support to staff members regarding software applications and hardware systems. Moved from Citation software to Horizon Clinical product during tenure, trained team including Lab Associates how to use new system and was SME during Go Live.
- Monitored inventory levels and ordered additional supplies as needed.
- Drafted monthly reports summarizing progress on various projects for upper-level management review.
- Managed day-to-day operations of the department including scheduling tasks and assigning duties.
- Developed policies and procedures related to departmental operations ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
Blood Bank Lead Technologist
BJC Healthcare
St. Peters, MO
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Responsible for development, maintenance, and education of all policies and processes; accountable for TJC, CAP, and CLIA regulatory compliance and inspection readiness; prepared all monthly Blood Utilization reports for Risk Management and performance improvement; developed Blood Bank packets for nursing Type & Screen testing
Night Shift Lead Technologist
SSM DePaul Health Center
Bridgeton, MO
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Responsible for coordination of night shift schedules for seven staff members with zero turnover for 3+ years; Laboratory contact person for House Supervisors and other staff overnight; developed Downtime protocol to ensure seamless processing of laboratory results during computer Downtime
Education
Masters of Business Administration -
University of Phoenix
01.2004
Bachelor of Science, Medical Technology -
Eastern Kentucky University
01.1991
Skills
- Cross-Functional Teamwork
- Data Interpretation
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Networking
- Service Quality Standards
- Compliance standards
- Teamwork and flexibility
- Strong work ethic and integrity
- Strategy Development
- Policy writing
- Written and verbal communication
- Supervising staff
- Team leadership skills
- Project Planning
License or Certification
Title: American Society of Clinical Pathology Medical Technologist Certification - 1991
Affiliations
- Play pickelball, walk and be with my animals and wife
- Garden and do DIY projects at home
- Love watching sports (College, Professional)
- Enjoy traveling to learn history, golf and sit by a lake
Accomplishments
- Lead a team in St. Charles County who had 8% year over year growth for 2023, with a goal of 3-5 % growth in 2024
- Lead CAP team on inspections at other Hospitals/Clinics and over saw teams with
- Honored before Covid pandemic as supporting US Military by granting year leave for 1 nigh shift technologist so he could finish his career and then return after his duty ended in Afghanistan.
Certification
- American Society for College Pathologist - August 1991
Timeline
Laboratory Manager
BJC Healthcare
01.2016 - Current
Laboratory Supervisor
BJC Healthcare
01.2011 - 01.2016
Laboratory Evening/Night Coordinator
BJC Healthcare
01.2011 - 01.2016
Blood Bank Lead Technologist
BJC Healthcare
01.2010 - 01.2011
Night Shift Lead Technologist
SSM DePaul Health Center
01.2006 - 01.2010
Masters of Business Administration -
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science, Medical Technology -
Eastern Kentucky University
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