Patty Birschbach

Experience

• 

  Agnesian HealthCare

  Dec 1988 - Jun 2015

  Marketing Supervisor, Safety Officer, Student Coordinator

  • Promoted to and entrusted to lead in three areas of leadership with increased responsibility within laboratory, healthcare system and in community • Responsible for department budget, strategy, sales, contracts, business agreements and service to over 200 clinics and clients in a multi-county area, with sales increasing by $25 million between 2003-2015• Led teams of 11 -16 employees; engagement survey scores ranked “Best in Health Care” and above organizational average • Editor and designer of laboratory newsletter resulting in concise and timely information for providers• Developed and assisted with design of marketing materials used for new business and promotion• Assisted with moving the vision of Leadership Formation into a continued successful program for the healthcare system, participated in community mission activities • Responsible for the overall safety of our organization’s multiple facilities including regulation, policy, preparedness, risk minimization, training and education. Initiated safety program improvements, highly regarded by leadership, peers and regulatory inspectors• Completed College of American Pathologists inspector training, serving as a peer inspector for multiple laboratories; provided recommendations and cited deficiencies to improve performance and compliance• Researched, contracted, and implemented a Safety Data Sheet software program for the entire healthcare system resulting in a paperless system and improved compliance with regulations• Researched and developed training for complex Packaging and Shipping Regulations; provided a learning session at ASCLS state convention to help laboratories improve their compliance • Interviewed, scheduled, evaluated student performance objectives and ensured a positive clinical experience for nine students annually; served on college and university advisory committees• Provided laboratory education and tours to inspire careers and improve understating of profession Show less

• 

  US Air Force Reserve

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2007

  First Lieutenant
• 

  ThedaCare

  Jun 2015 - Jan 2017

  Clinical Pathology Supervisor

  • Led 35 technologists and technicians in a busy regional Trauma Level II hospital core and microbiology laboratory; supported team through 9% record test volume growth • Interviewed and hired employees; built training schedules and responsible for successful onboarding• Evaluated and coached employee performance objectives and goals; identified and grew talent• Supported and integrated department campus relocation; improved employee engagement score by 33% • Responsible for the operation, staffing-to-demand, testing, turnaround time, quality, monthly financial scorecard and countermeasures, supplies, technology, and regulatory standards of multiple departments• Using the ThedaCare Improvement System, participated and facilitated huddles, participated in root cause, and effectively leveraged visual management; responsible for scorecards and countermeasures Show less

• 

  ThedaCare

  Jun 2017 - now

  • Administrative and operations leadership of Medical Laboratory teams in two busy Critical Access Hospital Laboratories ensuring high quality testing in the areas of phlebotomy, point of care, hematology, chemistry, blood bank, microbiology, and histology; assures adherence to standards and ever-ready accreditation• Carry out initiatives that focus on employees, recruitment, training, competency, process improvement, patient satisfaction, and workplace safety• Identify opportunities for improvement to deliver highest quality outcomes, ensure professional practice standards are met, continually monitor safety, productivity, budget, and action plans • Monitor test analysis, test systems and specimen examinations to maintain acceptable levels of analytic performance; consult with physicians and nurses on lab findings, schedules, and availability of tests• Maintains and enhances interpersonal relationships with medical staff, team members, patients, and visitors• Develops a culture of continuous improvement by using Lean methodology and Lean management principles to improve quality, productivity, and throughput Show less • Led team of 22 exceptional people at a Critical Access Hospital and multiple clinic locations• Evaluated and coached employee performance objectives and goals; identified and grew talent• Responsible for the operation, policies, staffing-to-demand, testing, meeting turnaround time, monthly financial scorecard, quality, inventory, technology, customer service, and regulatory standards of multiple departments and locations• Sought quality improvements and implemented learning across system, including leading the system Point-of-Care council; active in becoming a High Reliability Organization• Integrated service lines and locations around common goals and improved performance• Member of the Hospital Leadership Team and Safety Council ensuring continuous improvements, ongoing strategy, engagement, safe environment, community involvement and volunteer support Show less

  • Manager, Laboratory Services

    Sept 2018 - now

  • Supervisor, Laboratory Services

    Jun 2017 - Sept 2018