Nina Francois
Chicago,IL
Summary
Detail-oriented laboratory professional with experience focused on Clinical Operations & Infectious Diseases. Adept at laboratory supervision, SOP development & implementation and occupational safety. Seeking a career pivot into roles in Healthcare Administration and Regulatory Compliance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Laboratory Supervisor
University of Chicago Medicine
12.2023 - Current
- Oversees day-to-day operations of the laboratory department and provides overall direction and assistance to testing personnel.
- Serves as a communication liaison between internal and external entities. Ensures that staff and leadership team are getting timely and appropriate information.
- Works with team to identify and resolve problems.
- Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design.
- Manage multiple projects effectively and communicate effectively verbally and in writing if changes occur.
- Assist in the development of corrective actions and written responses as warranted
- Participates in ongoing laboratory accreditation and inspection preparation. Helps monitor compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
- Trains and assists team members in the proficient and safe use of equipment in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Assist lab operations manager with method comparison studies, quality monitoring, and implementation of training and competency programs
- Engages in coaching and management of staff performance. Ensures employees receive ongoing feedback and development opportunities.
- Review of quality control, maintenance, and quality assurance documentation.
- Oversees department staffing schedules and addresses shortages as required.
- Participates in hiring new team members
Senior Medical Technologist
University Of Chicago Medicine
04.2021 - Current
- Oversight of testing personnel performing moderate and high complexity testing as a General Supervisor under CLIA88 rules in the absence of an on-site manager
- Lead various projects including operations and process improvements; implementation of new clinical laboratory tests, antibiotics, and instruments.
- Assisted in establishing and monitoring total quality management, including standards of accuracy, precision, and efficiency in performance of tests or operation of equipment in specialty areas
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals and deadlines
- Effectively communicates all pertinent administrative information with staff, management and stakeholders in a respectful and proactive manner
- Reviewing & maintaining continual compliance with policies, procedures and record keeping necessary to meet standards of accrediting or regulatory agencies
- Laboratory safety officer: Maintains lab compliance with CAP, Joint Commission, FDA and OSHA standards to prepare for inspections
- Oversees safety compliance in a BSL2 facility, advise users on laboratory practices, safety equipment and procedures
- Assisted in the design, development, and maintenance of the Laboratory Information Management system and user manuals
- Train clinical laboratory technicians and technologists; pathology residents, post-doctoral fellows, students and lab assistants
Medical Technologist
University Of Chicago Medicine
08.2005 - Current
- Report communicable and infectious disease pathogens to Infection Control and Public Health Departments
- Investigate the relationship between organisms and disease including outbreak discovery, control of epidemics and effects of antibiotics on microorganisms
- Use laboratory & hospitals information systems to communicate results and update physicians, nurses and other patient care staff about culture & test turn around time and other technical information
- Analyzes all test and quality control results for errors, inconsistencies and deviations prior to reporting results.
- General bacteriology, Mycobacteria, Mycology smear and culture set up; identification, susceptibility and referral testing, PCR testing on various platforms
- Maintains inventory to meet operational needs
Infection Preventionist
Legacy Healthcare LLC
08.2022 - 11.2022
- Partnered with the Administrator, Director of Nursing and or Corporate Infection Preventionist to develop, implement and evaluate annual infection prevention goals and action plan
- Educated nursing and ancillary staff on infection control protocols, including hand hygiene, isolation precautions, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Performed surveillance; gather, collect, and analyze weekly and monthly data on facility admitted and acquired Infections, multidrug resistant organisms
- Familiar with the requirements and accreditation standards related to infection control, such as those set forth by CDC, CMS, and Joint Commission
Education
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Laboratory Science
Rush University
Chicago, ILBachelor of Arts -
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, ILSkills
- Problem Solving
- Hospital Information Systems
- Project Management
- Quality Control
- HIPPA Compliance
- Quality Management
- Inspections
- Risk Assessment
- Laboratory & Patient Safety
- Electronic Medical Records
- Technical Documentation
- Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat
Certification
Technologist in Microbiology M (ASCP)
Inspection Team Member Training, College of American Pathologists
PUBLICATIONS
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Use of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 and Roche cobas SARS-CoV-2 Assays
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/JCM.00772-20
MEMBERSHIPS
Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS)
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
Timeline
Laboratory Supervisor
University of Chicago Medicine
12.2023 - Current
Infection Preventionist
Legacy Healthcare LLC
08.2022 - 11.2022
Senior Medical Technologist
University Of Chicago Medicine
04.2021 - Current
Medical Technologist
University Of Chicago Medicine
08.2005 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Laboratory Science
Rush University
Bachelor of Arts -
Columbia College Chicago