Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Kristi D Walker

Larwill,USA

Summary

Skilled Laboratory Manager, knowledgeable about best practices and compliance standards. Well-versed in all facets of operations, including quality assurance, training and safety management. Seeking opportunities to enhance efficiency, processes, and operations. Prepared to offer over 20 years of laboratory experience to a new role as the IU Health Office of Compliance, Accreditation, Quality, and Safety Laboratory Executive Director.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Laboratory Manager

Indiana University Health
Indianapolis, IN
01.2021 - Current
  • As the laboratory manager, I began my tenure supporting Cameron Memorial Hospital assisting with planning, directing, and overall laboratory operations.
  • I supervised and coordinated activities with Cameron and Indiana University Health lab professionals and non-technical team members in diagnostic work and treatment of patients under the direction of and in cooperation with the laboratory medical director.
  • I provided ongoing analysis, development and implementation of methods and systems to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness for services and functions.
  • I worked toward ensuring compliance with all applicable quality and accreditation standards (CLIA and CMS) working toward CAP.
  • I strived to develop and maintain a network of contacts, both internal and external to the organization.
  • As my role transitioned to Indiana University Health I support the commitment to data-driven decision making by using key performance indicators/metrics to bring forth positive changes to improve existing processes.
  • I encouraged and facilitated cooperation within the organization to connect people to best thinking and practices.
  • I regularly work across multiple teams.
  • Responsible for budget, capital planning, staffing.
  • Leadership: Technical expertise: Problem solving: Organizational abilities: Communication.
  • First year was mostly identifying, building relationships, planning, etc. Year 2 and 3 was trying to correct all the issues.
  • Implemented a transfusion medicine committee – worked with multidisciplinary groups.
  • POC: Started monthly meetings to work toward improved patient care by consolidated testing platform moving clinics to same platform of testing, ensured compliance with appropriate documentation of training for hospital and clinic personnel. – improved patient outcomes.
  • Oversight of glucometers primarily overseen by lab.
  • Worked toward improving regulatory compliance.
  • Improved laboratory competency and training.
  • Revised training documents, implemented case studies, improved medical director involvement, new onboarding process for non-MLS graduates, Utilized IUH resources (e.g., coag and micro).
  • Added barcode scanners to computer for barcode scanning reducing error from previous manual entry.
  • Interface set up for analyzers implementing auto release in areas that were not previously set up.
  • Analyzer set up are hematology, urinalysis, Medtox, and Cepheid, Sofia’s, and ID Now.
  • Create effective reports.
  • Team development: Include front line lab team members in hospital projects as appropriate to build relationships with hospital peers.
  • Lab team members are empowered to challenge and reject poor samples based on quality initiatives.
  • Ongoing support to build laboratorians confidence levels.
  • Lab team members starting to be viewed more as experts.
  • Created binders for team member training.
  • Internal promotions: April Lead POC, Molly Lead Phlebotomist.
  • Hired phlebotomy supervisor.
  • Regulatory compliance: Prepared binders for department checklist review.
  • Updated many policies and procedures.
  • Large focus on BB, quality, and hemo.
  • Goal was to include LIS, but had limited movement.
  • Improved quality results and patient satisfaction by reducing recollects and decreasing TAT (improved phlebotomy training & interfacing analyzers).
  • During IUH assessment, there were 44 CLIA deficiencies. Of the 44 identified, 21 were corrected.
  • Outstanding items include 20 micro/molecular, 1 quality management, 1 LIS validation, 1 OSHA policy.
  • Completed a CPT audit with the support of the IUH lab billing department. Minimal changes needed.
  • Improved patient experience from 80.06% in 2022, 82.06% in 2023, followed up by 83.62% (January 2024). – Focused on using key words, active listening, and order accuracy.
  • Improved training, focused on patient initiative by focusing on key factors (key words), PPID, engaging patient in conversation, lowered conversation carryover and improved patient privacy by adding a full privacy window in the outpatient setting.
  • Financial - identified incorrect assessment of test volume calculation affecting cost per test.
  • Created a 5 year capital plan.
  • New Hematology Analyzers installed.
  • Hematology department CAP Ready.
  • Reference range study completed for Chemistry (no documentation of ever being completed).
  • Blood Bank Proficiency Testing sustainment.
  • Orchard (LIS) Support.
  • Pathologist Support (SBMF) - New contract with SBMF to include all requested items.
  • Improved medical director involvement, additional pathologist available (BB and Clinical pathologists).
  • IUH: leading team creating procedures for Beckman transition to Roche and Sysmex.

Adjunct Faculty

Indiana University of South Bend
03.2019 - 01.2021
  • Created the Molecular Diagnostic class curriculum including PowerPoints, lectures, lesson plans, and projects.
  • Work with program director where we co-teach immunohematology classes.
  • Teach and Evaluate the Medical Laboratory Scientist students on a regular basis assuring competence in the subject matter.
  • Maintained NACCLS approved guidelines.

Laboratory Administrative Director

Dukes Memorial Hospital (LHN)
Peru, IN
01.2018 - 01.2021
  • As the laboratory director, I focus on quality assurance by streamlining laboratory processes while also reducing preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical errors, reducing turnaround times, and overall costs.
  • I provide directional leadership and support to departmental personnel to achieve operational and technical objectives including workflow design, service quality, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and personnel management, while also creating a healthy work environment.
  • Evaluate team training and development and ensure adherence to policies and procedures.
  • This was successful by holding the team accountable for their responsibilities.
  • I created a standardized and easy to use competency assessments process to improve compliance.
  • All lab policies and procedures were also transitioned from paper to 100% online improving efficiency with easy to find policies, and alerts when policies need to be reviewed.
  • Allowed for remote review and approval by the laboratory medical director.
  • Worked with all departments within the hospital and Cerner team to successfully convert hospital and Lab Information Systems (HIS and LIS) from McKesson to Cerner.
  • Auto release was not set up in the laboratory which resulted in increased turnaround time and delay in reporting critical results.
  • Successfully validated auto release on all interfaced instruments.
  • This facilitated the success of reducing our critical turnaround time results.
  • Streamlined the process of suspected cardiac arrest patients who present to the emergency department by working with the laboratory team, emergency department team, and paramedics.
  • If collected by EMS, the samples were properly labeled and delivered to the lab immediately.
  • When drawn by the phlebotomists, the goal is less than 15 minutes from time ordered to the time received in the lab.
  • Any delays were documented on our daily troponin delay log to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
  • Results were posted daily on the lab communication board to keep the team informed of our progress.
  • This improved our TAT from an average of 58.7% to 82.6%.
  • Implemented blood bank automation which decreased turnaround times of blood bank testing and transfusion services improving quality care by freeing tech up to focus on other tasks.
  • Transitioned from outdated H-pylori testing that Medicare would not pay for to a more accurate evaluation of H-pylori stool antigen testing that Medicare would pay for, therefore increasing revenue for the hospital.
  • Provided blood culture collection and blood transfusion training for all new hire nurses and annually during nurse competencies.
  • Blood culture contamination from nursing has since improved from a monthly contamination rate of 3.1 to routinely less than 2.0%.
  • Communication between laboratory team members and nursing has also improved when questions or concerns arose regarding blood bank.
  • Maintained a quality lab by following The Joint Commission and CLIA regulatory guidelines.
  • Work with all departments within the hospital to ensure excellent standards and quality of care by being the patient experience champion (PEC).
  • As the PEC, my goal is to work with the entire hospital team to provide them with a set of principles that are designed to create a highly reliable and safe environment.
  • These principles enhance employee and patient satisfaction thereby raising our HCAPHS scores, from a 2 star to a 4 star.
  • Managed the laboratory budget by evaluating and adjusting supply ordering, laboratory workflows, and staffing based on productivity.
  • I was able to improve overall productivity from an average of 84% to routinely over 100%.
  • Identified cost saving approaches with a simple change of not printing daily productivity data, cutting paper expenditure in half.

Lead Blood Bank Medical Laboratory Scientist

St. Joseph Hospital (LHN)
Fort Wayne, IN
03.2016 - 01.2018
  • Maintain a well-organized blood bank department paying special attention to detail.
  • Provide blood bank training and education to all lab techs as well as students.
  • Participate in the blood bank transfusion committee to monitor blood usage and waste, acceptable indications for transfusions, transfusion reactions, along with many other variable topics.
  • Write and modify policies and procedures.
  • Ensure test-result validity before recording/reporting results.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate test results effectively with physicians and the nursing team to ensure exemplary quality of care.
  • Evaluate quality control and quality assurance within the laboratory using standard laboratory test and measurement controls while maintaining compliance with JCAHO, CLIA, OSHA, and safety and risk-management guidelines.
  • Complete and Assist with the preparation for Government inspections by JCAHO.
  • As needed assist with resolving conflicts with team members or clients.
  • Provide transfusion education to onboarding nurses.

Lead LIS Medical Laboratory Scientist

St. Joseph Hospital (LHN)
Fort Wayne, IN
03.2015 - 03.2016
  • Track clinical details as needed about patient visits and assure it is stored and available for future visits.
  • Update test requirements, build new tests, and validate when changes are made.
  • Provide support to technical team when interface, resulting, ordering, or printing issues arise.
  • Write, update, and review policies as needed.
  • Monitor interface issues and network communication with instruments and computers.
  • Assist with auto-validation in all departments as needed.
  • Successfully worked with lab to set up auto-validation in Chemistry.
  • Created a specimen user guide for all tests performed at two different hospitals within the network.
  • I also included specimen processing requirements for specimens sent to Core Laboratory.
  • This decreased the recollection of patient samples due to improperly handled specimens.

Adjunct Faculty Instructor

Med Tech College
Fort Wayne, IN
10.2015 - 12.2015
  • Developed case studies, PowerPoint lectures, assignments, and exams for immunohematology students.
  • Provided hands on experience performing clinical laboratory blood bank tests.
  • Teach and Evaluate the Medical Laboratory Technician students on a regular basis assuring competence in the subject matter.
  • Maintained NACCLS approved guidelines.

Medical Laboratory Technician

Parkview Whitley Hospital
Columbia City, IN
09.2010 - 03.2015
  • Report timely, high-quality completion of both routine and special laboratory assays of patient specimens.
  • Process, execute, and analyze tests in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, serology, blood bank, and microbiology to aid physicians in diagnosing and treating disease.
  • Ensure test-result validity before recording/reporting results.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate test results effectively with physicians and the nursing team to ensure exemplary quality of care.
  • Evaluate acceptability of quality controls measures.
  • Assist with the preparation for Government inspections by JCAHO and CAP.
  • Key clinical educator for MLT students.
  • Maintain a well-organized blood bank department.
  • Completed team member competencies as needed in the blood bank department.

Urinalysis Lecturer

St. Francis University
Fort Wayne, IN
01.2013 - 01.2015
  • Develop and discuss urinalysis PowerPoint and case studies for physician assistant students to improve learning in clinical laboratory tests and interpretations.

Medical Laboratory Technician

Parkview Whitley Medical Office
Columbia City, IN
09.2001 - 09.2010
  • Reported timely, high-quality completion of both routine and special laboratory assays of patient specimens.
  • Process, execute, and analyze tests in chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, and serology to aid physicians in diagnosing and treating diseases.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate test results effectively with physicians and the nursing team to ensure exemplary quality of care.

Phlebotomy Course Instructor

Condensed Curriculum Institute
Fort Wayne, IN
01.2013
  • Teach and Evaluate the phlebotomy students on a regular basis assuring competence in the subject matter.
  • Provided hands on experience performing venipunctures while maintaining compliance.

Education

MS - Clinical Laboratory Management

Rush University
Chicago, IL
01.2020

Specialty - Blood Banking

Rush University
Chicago, IL
01.2018

BS - Clinical Laboratory Scientist

University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
01.2015

Associates - Clinical Laboratory Science

Ivy Tech College
South Bend, IN
01.2008

Studies - Clinical Laboratory Science

Saint Petersburg College
Saint Petersburg, FL
01.2008

Technical Certificate - Phlebotomy

Ivy Tech College
Fort Wayne, IN
01.2001

Skills

  • Regulatory compliance
  • Quality assurance
  • Laboratory management
  • Process improvement
  • Financial management
  • Budget planning
  • Project management
  • Team development
  • Effective communication
  • Procedure monitoring
  • QA procedure development
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Ethics and integrity
  • Quality controls
  • Laboratory work supervision
  • Equipment management
  • Laboratory safety
  • Cross-functional teamwork
  • Organizational skills
  • Plan projects
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Project planning
  • Scheduling and coordinating
  • Professional and courteous
  • Team building
  • Idea development and brainstorming
  • Work Planning and Prioritization
  • Teamwork
  • Performance management

Affiliations

ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathologist), 2008, Current

Certification

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Quality Management System Certification, 2024

Timeline

Laboratory Manager

Indiana University Health
01.2021 - Current

Adjunct Faculty

Indiana University of South Bend
03.2019 - 01.2021

Laboratory Administrative Director

Dukes Memorial Hospital (LHN)
01.2018 - 01.2021

Lead Blood Bank Medical Laboratory Scientist

St. Joseph Hospital (LHN)
03.2016 - 01.2018

Adjunct Faculty Instructor

Med Tech College
10.2015 - 12.2015

Lead LIS Medical Laboratory Scientist

St. Joseph Hospital (LHN)
03.2015 - 03.2016

Urinalysis Lecturer

St. Francis University
01.2013 - 01.2015

Phlebotomy Course Instructor

Condensed Curriculum Institute
01.2013

Medical Laboratory Technician

Parkview Whitley Hospital
09.2010 - 03.2015

Medical Laboratory Technician

Parkview Whitley Medical Office
09.2001 - 09.2010

MS - Clinical Laboratory Management

Rush University

Specialty - Blood Banking

Rush University

BS - Clinical Laboratory Scientist

University of Cincinnati

Associates - Clinical Laboratory Science

Ivy Tech College

Studies - Clinical Laboratory Science

Saint Petersburg College

Technical Certificate - Phlebotomy

Ivy Tech College

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