ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY JOB DESCRIPTION
APPROVED POSITION INFORMATION
(to be completed by HR)
Effective: March 1, 2015
Title
Program Coordinator, Newborn Screening
Essential Function: Light Work
Range
JCC
2
67639
PCN
Description: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently,
and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Light work requires walking or standing
to a significant degree and pushing and/or pulling.
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position, the role in the university,
and the supervisor’s title.* (This section is used for advertisement of the position.)
The Program Coordinator, Newborn Screening, serves the entire state of Nevada by providing
guidance and education on newborn screening procedures and protocols for testing to health
care providers, hospitals, laboratories and clients. The Program Coordinator provides follow up
services including notification, protocols for further testing, links primary care providers to expert
consultants and otherwise supports the efforts to diagnose and get into treatment any infant
testing positive for one of the conditions screened by the newborn screening program. The
Program Coordinator works as a team with the laboratory newborn screening staff and
cooperates with key hospital and clinic personnel to ensure compliance with screening
procedures and quality initiatives. The position reports to the Administrative Director of the
Nevada State Public Health Laboratory
* Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job
(percentage first with heading and then bulleted information). If line of progression,
define for each range as above.
50% - Program Coordination
 Works closely with NSPHL newborn screening personnel to identify problems with blood
spot tests, identify presumptive positives and plan follow up tests
 Communicates with hospitals and providers regarding testing results including positives,
inadequate sampling or form completion and helps create solutions
 Communicates with expert consultants for newborn screening disorders that are
identified and implements appropriate and timely laboratory follow up
 Answers providers and family questions regarding newborn screening results and
provides referral information as needed
 Conducts follow up for missing second tests
 Assure availability for critical reports to be reported to follow up and ability to coordinate
care of a critical presumptive positive infant after hours
 Guarantees compliance with published turn-around-time requirements relating to shortterm follow up of presumptive positive infants.
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Assures all case related documentation is entered into the Specimen Gate system in a
timely manner and cases are closed within the time frame stated in NBS protocols
Supports the work of the newborn screening program advisory committee by preparing
agendas (in conjunction with the committee chair), taking minutes and setting up
meeting times quarterly
35%- Education and Guidance for Hospitals, Clinic Personnel and Provider Offices
 Provides updated material regarding newborn screening on the website
 Conducts educational programs as appropriate for hospitals, clinics and provider offices
 Provides one on one guidance to hospitals and provider offices regarding newborn
screening testing procedures, collection protocols and data field completion on sample
cards.
 Develops targeted trainings for hospitals and provider offices to assure improvement of
QA measures reviewed via the Practice Profiles
 When the blood spot repository is available, educate hospitals and providers to inform
them of the repository’s purpose and consent form requirements
10%- Quality Assurance
 Distribute Practice Profile reports monthly identifying selected newborn screening quality
initiatives including provider compliance with card completion, timeliness of screening,
quality of sample collected, etc.
 Review hospital and provider quality assurance parameter provider reports. Implement
targeted training programs to assist providers in meeting quality assurance goals.
 Review and monitor provider abilities to submit adequate sample collection cards as well
as completeness of information submitted on the sample card.
5%- Testing Kit Distribution
 Monitor Las Vegas NBS card stock inventory for emergency distribution to ensure it is
adequate and order additional stock as necessary
3. Describe the types of decisions the position(s) make independently as part of the core
responsibilities. If a line of progression, describe the decisions made at the highest
level.
The position is located in Las Vegas and operates remotely from the rest of the newborn
screening program. There is substantial freedom in conducting the work and many decisions
are made by the Coordinator without supervisor input. Contact with co-workers and supervisor
is done routinely to communicate results and discuss follow up duties but the daily schedule is
determined by the Program Coordinator.
4. Describe the types of problems, issues, action, communications this position typically
takes to the supervisor for resolution and/or consultation. If a line of progression,
describe the supervisory consultation at the highest level.
Coordination with the supervisor, located in Reno, is required. Any findings of non-compliance,
challenges with physicians or customers, or programmatic concerns are to be reported to the
manager for discussion and resolution.
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5. Select the applicable competencies required to successfully perform the job duties as
outlined in the NSHE Code and relevant UNR and Unit Bylaws. The selected
competencies will be evaluated within the Administrative Faculty evaluation.
Competency
Required
Adaptability
☐
Analytical Thinking
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Communication
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Diversity and Inclusion
☒
Financial Responsibilities
☐
Human Resource Responsibilities
☐
Leadership
☐
Program/Project/Functional Knowledge
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Resource Responsibilities
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Serving Constituents
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Teamwork
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Other (specify)
☐
6. Minimum requirements of the position.
Education
Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing,
Two years of professional experience
counseling, genetic counseling or
health care field
Master’s Degree in Human
One year of professional experience
Resources or related field
Relevant Experience: Health care program coordination, one year of which
must have been in newborn screening programs.
Certification and Licensure: None
Schedule or Travel Requirements: None
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Optional Addendum: Describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to successful
performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Biology and disease; strongly prefer someone with knowledge of newborn screening
programs or diseases
 Laboratory processes and workflow
 Electronic data systems
Skills:
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Excellent verbal communication skills with many different audiences
Superior written communication skills
Works well in teams and assumes leadership responsibilities without prompting
Comfortable working in a multitude of health care venues
Deals well with high stress and critical situations
Able to investigate and apply new knowledge to the development of policies, written
products and website
Ability to:
 Solve complex problems involving multiple entities
 Remain calm and focused during critical screening events (positive tests)
 Be flexible in time management
 Create new processes and procedures
 Work independently and with pride in the work accomplished
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