Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Manager)

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Quality Manager

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Quality Manager within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. They ensure compliance with clinical laboratory standards like Joint Commission (JC), The College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the Office of Inspector General (OIG), maintaining continuous readiness and supporting performance improvement and patient safety programs. They monitor and enhance laboratory quality through policy reviews, statistical evaluations, and quality assurance practices, advising management on concerns and implementing improvements. The incumbent will also provide oversight and consultative services for quality assurance activities, develop action plans, and ensure compliance with policies, while teaching quality control procedures and corrective actions.

Duties and tasks include but are not limited to the following:

• Demonstrates knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services.
• Demonstrates knowledge of accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements pertaining to laboratory operations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of laboratory operations and relationships to the organization.
• Demonstrates skill in applying laboratory quality control/assurance policies, procedures, and principles and safety practices and regulations.
• Demonstrates ability to apply quality management performance improvement principles, methodology, and processes to develop and manage a clinical laboratory quality management program.
• Demonstrates ability to apply statistical evaluation and analysis to quality assurance data and implement corrective actions when indicated.
• Compiles and analyzes the data for medical center, VISN, and national performance measures and monitors as necessary and upon request of the groups needing such data.
• Compiles and analyzes data for medical technology quality monitors and distributes data to appropriate groups.
• Acts as the Laboratory Safety Officer, maintaining the safety and chemical hygiene policies and procedures. Performs weekly/monthly eyewash and shower maintenance and documents as required. Performs hazard assessments as required and ensures the semi-annual hazardous chemical inventory is completed for all laboratory sections.
• Coordinates with the Industrial Hygienist and the GEMS Coordinator to ensure compliance with GEMs initiatives, reducing chemical waste and ensuring timely chemical waste removal from the laboratory.
• Prepares agenda and all quality metrics for the laboratory monthly Quality and Safety Meetings. Documents minutes and provides to the laboratory administrative team for reference.
• Serves as the laboratory point of contact for record retention, EILs, and equipment turn-in.
• Manages the laboratory electronic document control system.
• Serves as the laboratory point of contact for the proficiency testing program. Ensures the laboratory activity menu remains updated and orders proficiency testing as required.
• Responsible for new employee orientation for all staff new to the laboratory service.
• Follows all safety and infectious disease policies while conducting duties of the position.
• Continuously completes medical center and laboratory training and education as required and within the established deadlines.
• Takes initiative to solve problems without assistance or transferring of responsibility unless justified.
• Maintains a positive attitude, willingness to work as part of a team and is supportive of coworkers. Collaborates and works well with others.
• Demonstrates ability to respond and adapt to new processes, procedures, or equipment. Willing to make changes to improve service.
• Assists in the preparation for regulatory inspections by reviewing and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and participates in the inspection of in-house and external facilities as required.
• Promptly reports all variances, incidents, and/or deviations from policy as required and in accordance with policies and procedures.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm