Katrina Burruss

As the Laboratory Director, I am responsible for managing all laboratory activities to ensure services meet the clinical needs of county programs requiring laboratory support by ensuring all laboratory services are both CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)/ COLA compliant and certifications are maintained, working in partnership with the clinical/ technical consultant. My responsibilities also include the following:

• Managing laboratory functions to ensure services meet clinical needs of county programs requiring laboratory support
• Monitor and oversee performance of Laboratory Information System (LIS) to ensure that it is functioning correctly and meeting needs of department
• Managing and maintaining laboratory budget of $1,000,000, including revenues and expenditures monthly
• Develops and implemented protocols of performance and completion for staff and lab work
• Providing leadership and coaching to lab staff members including objective setting and PDMS evaluation
• Coordinated laboratory work with ancillary departments and facilities to ensure specimens and results are reported in timely fashion
• Directed team performance, managed schedules and optimized workflow to maximize productivity.
• Directed oversight of contract testing labs, remote labs and specialty labs, and coordinated quality control policies and practices.
• Designed and introduced leadership development, coaching and team management model, resulting in promotion of employees into increased levels of responsibility.
• Introduced and implemented new testing and interpretation procedures to maintain standards of care and meet quality assurance benchmarks.
• Kept laboratory in line with facility and regulatory compliance requirements.

As the Clinical Laboratory Manager, I spearheaded the very first laboratory information system implementation within the Student Health department at Duke University. I often collaborated with and assists the LIS Manager with the hardware and software needs of the Department and coordinated all service requests for EPIC integration. Other duties included but were not limited to:

• Achieved 94% scoring during bi-annual COLA inspection during first year of employment with institution
• Achieved 100% scoring during bi-annual CLIA inspection during first year of employment with institution
• Member of AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare) Quality Improvement Team for Student Health Department
• Chair of AAAHC Laboratory Improvement Team
• General Supervisor in accordance with CLIA '88 regulations
• Technical Consultant for Student Health Center Lab Operations and oversight
• Coordinated and participated in variety of complex technical tasks in performance if laboratory tests to obtain data for use by physician in diagnosis and treatment of disease
• Proficient in preparation and review of technical manuals
• Highly skilled and proficient in preparation for College of American Pathology (CAP) and/or Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) inspections
• Interpreted accrediting agencies standards and/or guidelines for ancillary testing programs and translated requirements into policies and procedures; Initiated corrective action as soon as deficiencies are identified, completes checklists and other information sheets required and coordinates on-site inspection of sections
• Supervised various personnel functions including, but not limited to interviewing, hiring performance appraisals, promotions, transfers and vacation schedules
• Trained staff and performed phlebotomy for student population of 16k
• Revised, corrected, and implemented new and pre-existing standard operating procedures for laboratory services
• Assured remedial action is taken and documented whenever tests systems deviate from established performance specifications
• Received, reviewed, and prepared technical reports reflecting volume of work, procedures utilized and test results; coordinates preparation of reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate corrective action
• Formulated goals and/or recommends policies, assigns objectives, and establishes standards of practice
• Conducted In-Service Training classes for nursing staff comprised of 13 lead nurses and LPNs
• Interviewed, hired and trained lab technicians to perform experiments and analyze results.
• Set and oversaw quality assurance guidelines for laboratory work.
• Determined quality department standards, practices and procedures.
• Collaborated with audit clients and action owners to apply root cause analysis guidance and establish effective corrective action plans.
• Implemented new quality assurance and customer service standards.
• Estimated financial requirements of new projects.

As the General Supervisor, I was responsible for the establishment and maintenance of policies, the establishment of ranges, specimen requirements for tests, and acceptability criteria for LCMS testing. I also conducted scheduled maintenance, corrective actions, and troubleshooting to assure result quality and performance efficiency through the oversight of written records. Other duties included the following:

• Assigned personnel duties as necessary
• Performs presumptive urine drug screen testing for over 1200 consumers per month and performed quality control in assigned areas as necessary
• Supervised all testing activities in assigned areas, manages personnel, and testing activities as necessary
• Evaluated test volume versus supply orders to assume adequate inventory
• Reviewed QC, procedural updates, corrective actions, and maintenance records on regular basis
• Performed and reviews proficiency testing results, taking appropriate action if necessary
• Performed all specimen accessioning and computer log-in/order entry functions and work organization activities
• Maintained all records required by CLIA for two years or longer (as needed) Oversees and maintained
• Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
• Evaluated employee performance and coached and trained to improve weak areas.
• Successfully managed high volumes of client-facing interactions and established strong rapport with physicians, medical and laboratory staff and patients.