Silka Clark, MLS

Experience

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  Centura Health

  Aug 2000 - May 2017

  Reporting directly to the VP of Laboratory Operations, I managed a team of six regional POCT Technical Specialists that were responsible for oversight of all critical care bedside laboratory testing at 17 hospitals, 10 free-standing Emergency Departments, 9 Urgent Cares and 175+ Physician Office clinics across the State of Colorado and Western Kansas. Together the Centura POCT Team provided training and regulatory oversight for over one million POC tests annually, with over 800 POC analyzers in our fleet and close to 10,000 individual testing operators. This was by far the largest coordinated and standardized system of Laboratories across Colorado and had doubled in size over just a few years. Show less

  • Manager Laboratory Point of Care

    Feb 2014 - May 2017

  • System Technical Specialist, Laboratory Point of Care Testing

    Mar 2006 - Feb 2014

  • Medical Laboratory Scientist - Generalist

    Aug 2000 - Mar 2006
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  Children's Hospital Colorado

  May 2017 - Oct 2020

  Manage all aspects related to the collection and transport of specimens used for diagnostic laboratory testing and bedside critical care lab tests (POCT) by nurses and other clinical team members for the Children’s Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Pediatric Network of Care. Oversight includes five Outpatient Lab draw stations employing approximately 25 pediatric specialty phlebotomists, the DPLM Specimen Processing/Inpatient Phlebotomy and Send-out Testing team employing approximately 20 Clinical Laboratory Assistants that process and receive 70,000 specimens per month on average, and a Point of Care team that manages over 200,000 bedside critical care tests performed annually by approximately 2,500 physician/nurse/paramedic/clinical testing operators on 180+ analyzers. Regularly use Epic Beaker, Telcor QML, Microsoft Office Suite, Omni Electronic Policy Management, and EP Evaluator. Show less Implemented annual work plans to achieve goals and performance metrics for the Point of Care department. Participated in leadership activities contributing to the achievement of goals and objectives; evaluated team performance and individual POC Coordinator performance both ongoing and annually. Managed communications to the organization on projects and hot topics related to POCT, maintaining a positive and professional relationship with peers and leaders at all levels including and especially regarding Nursing Leadership and Nursing Site Trainers. Participated in developing budget recommendations and in monitoring the POCT budget. Provided technical expertise on programs, processes, and best practices regarding POCT. Ensured compliance against federal, state, and local regulations for POCT. Functioned as a primary resource for technical and clinical expertise in POCT and a clinical consultant to care providers; oversight of and responsible for performing laboratory testing and/or procedures in support of laboratory operations. Show less

  • Manager Laboratory Operations, Pre-Analytic/Outpatient Lab/POCT

    Apr 2018 - Oct 2020

  • Laboratory Operations Supervisor, POCT

    May 2017 - Apr 2018
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  ACCUMEN Inc.

  Oct 2020 - now

  Passionate about advancing healthcare through the optimization of clinical laboratory operations. Leveraging a comprehensive background in laboratory management, I specialize in implementing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance. Over 20 years of hands-on experience overseeing clinical laboratories, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and delivering high-quality diagnostic services. Proven track record of streamlining laboratory workflows, reducing turnaround times, and implementing cutting-edge technologies to enhance diagnostic capabilities. Adept at developing and implementing robust quality assurance programs, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results. Show less I’m Silka Clark, Director, Lab Excellence of Accumen Inc., where we are setting a new standard for hospital performance, starting with the lab. Using a proven blueprint, a customized approach and innovative, proprietary technology, Accumen partners with Hospitals and Health Systems to transform their Clinical Laboratories and Patient Blood Management programs. And we do it in a fraction of the time most institutions would take to do it on their own. Health systems trust Accumen to drive better service & quality, and deliver unprecedented value, ultimately leading to better patient care! Show less

  • Healthcare Consultant

    Nov 2023 - now

  • Director, Lab Excellence

    Jan 2022 - Nov 2023

  • Laboratory Operations Manager, Lab Excellence

    Oct 2020 - Jan 2022
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  Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine

  Aug 2023 - now

  President POCT CPP Board

  POCT Professional Certification Board