Clinical Diagnostic Lead (RN)

Company: Planned Parenthood of Greater New York
Location: Schenectady
Posted on: February 18, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description POSITION SUMMARY The Clinical Diagnostics Lead (RN) provides enterprise-wide leadership for outpatient diagnostic operations and infection prevention. This role ensures that point-of-care testing (POCT), specimen workflows, vendor coordination, result management, and infection prevention practices are safe, compliant, reliable, and fully integrated into daily clinical operations. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Diagnostic Operations Leadership • Serve as the enterprise lead for outpatient diagnostic workflows, including POCT and external laboratory coordination. • Establish and maintain standardized diagnostic processes across all sites. • Ensure diagnostic services support safe, timely, and reliable patient care. • Act as the operational owner for how tests are ordered, collected, processed, and routed. Workflow Design, SOPs & Training • Develop, implement, and maintain SOPs for: o POCT use and quality controls o Specimen collection and handling o Result routing and escalation o Vendor interactions and turnaround expectations o Infection prevention practices related to diagnostics and clinical workflows • Translate clinical and regulatory requirements into clear, site-ready workflows. • Design and deliver training on diagnostic processes, infection prevention practices, and related clinical care standards. • Ensure staff across all sites are consistently trained and competent in diagnostic and infection prevention protocols. • Provide ongoing coaching and real-time guidance to reinforce best practices and support clinical decision-making. • Partner with site leaders to embed diagnostics and infection prevention standards into daily operations. Quality, Safety & Compliance • Ensure readiness for all diagnostic- and infection prevention–related regulatory and quality requirements (e.g., CLIA-waived testing, POCT standards, infection control audits). • Serve as the clinical lead for outpatient infection prevention in partnership with Compliance & Quality. • Conduct routine audits and site reviews related to diagnostic practices and infection prevention. • Monitor trends in errors, near misses, environmental risks, and turnaround times. • Lead corrective action planning and continuous improvement related to diagnostics and infection prevention. Vendor, Systems & Equipment Management • Serve as the primary liaison with external laboratory vendors (e.g., Quest, LabCorp). • Manage operational issues related to turnaround time, result accuracy, and service reliability. • Partner with IT and Clinical Informatics to optimize Epic workflows for diagnostics and results. • Oversee diagnostic equipment lifecycle, including selection, deployment, training, maintenance, and replacement planning. • Advise on clinical safety considerations related to equipment, space, and workflow design. Cross-Functional Partnership • Collaborate with Nursing, Health Center Operations, Facilities, Compliance & Quality, and Clinical Coordination to ensure seamless integration of diagnostics and infection prevention into patient care. • Provide subject-matter expertise for clinical leaders and site managers. • Support incident response related to diagnostic delays, errors, exposure risks, or infection control breaches. • Serve as a clinical resource for questions related to testing, results, infection prevention, and escalation pathways. Clinical Practice & Professional Leadership • Maintain clinical credibility by remaining engaged in diagnostic and care workflows as needed. • Provide direct clinical support during pilots, surge periods, audits, or workflow testing. • Model best practices in diagnostics and infection prevention through hands-on participation when appropriate. • This is not a primary direct-care role; however, the Clinical Diagnostics Lead is expected to spend approximately 10–15% of their time in clinical or operational practice in order to: o Stay grounded in real-world workflows o Test and refine SOPs o Support staff during high-risk or high-volume periods o Maintain strong clinical judgment and relevance CORE COMPETENCIES • A demonstrated commitment to PPGNY’s mission related to bodily autonomy, health equity, and gender and racial justice • A demonstrated commitment to learning about and enhancing practices related to racial equity and its impact on healthcare systems. • Strong relationship building and communication skills, including an ability to work and build trust across cultural differences related to related to race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and to reflect on one’s personal identity with humility • Ability to provide compassionate, non-judgmental and culturally responsive care across race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and demonstrates deep sense of accountability to patient experience REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES: Interpersonal • Excellent customer service and communication skills • Ability to remain focused and calm in stressful situations • Excellent interpersonal and verbal skills • Superior oral and written communication skills • Ability to work effectively as part of team Technical • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software • Familiarity with Microsoft Excel • High degree of comfort with electronic health record Work Habits/Attributes • Keen attention to detail • Excellent organizational skills • Outstanding time management skills, including the ability to work under deadline • The ability to produce high quality work in a fast-paced environment with changing and/or competing priorities • Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making skills • Ability to produce reliable, high-quality work with minimal direct supervision • Ability to exercise discretion in the handling of confidential information • Ability to work a flexible or extended schedule, including evenings and weekends, as operational demands require • Well-developed problem-solving and critical thinking skills REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license. • Minimum 5 years of clinical nursing experience in an outpatient, ambulatory, or population-health setting. • Demonstrated experience with: o Point-of-care testing or specimen workflows o Infection prevention practices in clinical settings o Clinical documentation and EHR use (Epic preferred) o Translating clinical practice into operational workflows • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills. • Ability to work independently and manage enterprise-wide responsibilities. • Excellent communication skills and comfort working across departments. Preferred / Growth-Oriented Experience • Experience in quality improvement, process redesign, or operational leadership. • Exposure to regulatory or audit processes (e.g., CLIA, infection prevention audits, safety reviews). • Experience training peers or serving as a clinical resource. • Familiarity with vendor management or system-wide implementations. TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS Requires prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks including use of a computer. Frequent standing, walking, bending. Must be able to walk up and down stairs. Requires lifting or moving of patients/supplies/equipment. Visual acuity sufficient to perform frequent work on a computer screen and review printed reports and other materials. Requires the ability to hear and to communicate orally with others. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets, and medical equipment and will require reaching, grasping, pushing and pulling. TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS This job operates in a professional office environment. Potential exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions in a health center environment. May require travel to other health centers, at times in inclement weather. Requires flexible schedule and during peak activity periods work in excess of 7.5 hours per day and/or 37.5 hours per week. • Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making skills • Ability to produce reliable, high-quality work with minimal direct supervision • Ability to exercise discretion in the handling of confidential information • Ability to demonstrate and document evidence-based clinical judgment • Comfort making data-driven decisions • Ability to make strategic decisions • Superior negotiation skills • Ability to work a flexible or extended schedule, including evenings and weekends, as operational demands require • Well-developed problem-solving and critical thinking skills • Ability to build and lead high-performing teams • Comfort making sound strategic decisions in the face of uncertain or incomplete information PPGNY's benefits package includes: Generous PTO and holiday schedule Medical, dental and vision coverage options for you and eligible dependents FSA, HSA, Commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds Short- and Long-Term Disability, Free Basic Life and AD&D 401(k) Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor contributions after 1 year of employment All positions at PPGNY require: Proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases (including influenza during the flu season and Covid-19) and testing for tuberculosis. These certifications are required by the NYC DOHMH Health Code, NYSDOH and OSHA. Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider, educator, and advocate of sexual and reproductive health care in New York State. PPGNY is proud to provide a wide-range of family planning services at our brick-and-mortar health centers and mobile care units. We care for everyone regardless of their immigration status, zip code or ability to pay. PPGNY’s education and outreach programs are backed by medically accurate, evidence-based information that allows people to make informed decisions about their health and future. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY supports legislation and policies that ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full range of reproductive health care and education. At PPGNY, we provide the absolute best care to our patients and our communities through innovative health care delivery and education programming. We care for everyone who walks through our doors regardless of insurance, ability to pay or immigration status. As a leading voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY fiercely advocates for policies to ensure that all New Yorkers will have access to the full range of reproductive health care services and information. PPGNY is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Keywords: Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, Pittsfield , Clinical Diagnostic Lead (RN), Healthcare , Schenectady, Massachusetts