Quality Specialist - Med Tech

JOB PURPOSE OR MISSION : Coordinates and facilitates technical and quality oversight of laboratory quality compliance / assurance / improvement, and safety in accordance with standards outlined by CAP, CLIA, DHH and other regulatory agencies.

Co-ordinates and oversees the Quality Assurance functions of the laboratory in accordance with the policies and / or procedures.

Performs duties appropriately to meet the needs of the laboratory, as defined in the department’s scope of service.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

CRITERIA A : Everyday Excellence Values - Employee demonstrates Everyday Excellence values in the day-to-day performance of their job.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS :

• Demonstrates courtesy and caring to each other, patients and their families, physicians, and the community.
• Takes initiative in living our Everyday Excellence values and vital signs.
• Takes initiative in identifying customer needs before the customer asks.
• Participates in teamwork willingly and with enthusiasm.
• Demonstrates respect for the dignity and privacy needs of customers through personal action and attention to the environment of care.
• Keeps customers informed, answers customer questions and anticipates information needs of customers.

CRITERIA B : Corporate Compliance - Employee demonstrates commitment to the Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest Guidelines, and the GHS Corporate Compliance Guidelines.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Practices diligence in fulfilling the regulatory and legal requirements of the position and department.
• Maintains accurate and reliable patient / organizational records.
• Maintains professional relationships with appropriate officials; communicates honesty and completely; behaves in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner in all professional contacts.

CRITERIA C : Personal Achievement - Employee demonstrates initiative in achieving work goals and meeting personal objectives.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Uses accepted procedures and practices to complete assignments. Uses creative and proactive solutions to achieve objectives even when workload and demands are high.
• Adheres to high moral principles of honesty, loyalty, sincerity, and fairness.
• Upholds the ethical standards of the organization.

CRITERIA D : Performance Improvement - Employee actively participates in Performance Improvement activities and incorporates quality improvement standards in his / her job performance.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Optimizes talents, skills, and abilities in achieving excellence in meeting and exceeding customer expectations.
• Initiates or redesigns to continuously improve work processes.
• Contributes ideas and suggestions to improve approaches to work processes.
• Willingly participates in organization and / or department quality initiatives.

CRITERIA E : Cost Management - Employee demonstrates effective cost management practices.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Effectively manages time and resources
• Makes conscious effort to effectively utilize the resources of the organization material, human, and financial.
• Consistently looks for and uses resource saving processes.

CRITERIA F : Patient & Employee Safety - Employee actively participates in and demonstrates effective patient and employee safety practices.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Employee effectively communicates, demonstrates, coordinates, and emphasizes patient and employee safety.
• Employee proactively reports errors, potential errors, injuries, or potential injuries using the hospital incident reporting system.
• Employee demonstrates departmental specific patient and employee safety standards at all times.
• Employee demonstrates the use of proper safety techniques, equipment and devices and follows safety policies, procedures and plans.
• Willingly participates in organization and / or department patient safety and satisfaction initiatives.

JOB FUNCTIONS

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include, but are not limited to :

1. Performs analytical tests in the laboratory

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS :

• Perform analytical tests in the laboratory as assigned by the Laboratory Manager and immediately report any problems with tests, equipment, or results to the Laboratory Manager.
• Keeps abreast and up to date of federal, state, and regulatory agency operational compliance standards. Translates standards into proposed work processes for implementation to ensure compliance is achieved and maintained.

2. Performs QA / Regulatory duties as specified at Bluebonnet, Mid City and Ascension laboratories.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS :

• Monitor QC inventory and standing orders, ensure standing orders are updated
• Enter new QC lots into Central Link / analyzers / BioRad Unity
• Perform QC validations on new lots of QC. Monitor and makes adjustments to mean and SD as appropriate.
• Submit QC data from Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation and Urinalysis for peer review.
• Review and assess peer data for Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation and Urinalysis looking for and troubleshooting any issues.
• Assists techs in troubleshooting QC issues
• Perform instrument-to-instrument correlations in Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis and Serology as applicable.
• Perform AMR validations as applicable.
• Monthly review of workstation binders.
• IQCP implementation and review
• Perform Centrifuge Platelet Poor Plasma studies
• Annual equipment checks including but not limited to carryover studies, pipette calibrations, thermometer / timer checks.
• Ensure water cultures, hood inspections, microscope maintenance and PMs are performed Bi-annually or annually as specified.
• Report any and all issues to Laboratory Manager / Laboratory Director

3. Assists with regulatory compliance and administrative tasks as it pertains to the laboratory.

• Assists with Proficiency Testing surveys by assigning samples and submitting results
• Assist with CAP inspection requirements
• Assist with competencies for testing personnel.
• Creates schedule for Bluebonnet and Mid City laboratories

4. Performs other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Three years’ experience as Certified Medical Technologist in a medical center laboratory required. Experience with quality control applications and prior performance of instrument validation process preferred.

SPECIAL SKILL, LICENSE AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

Current Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist or Specialist license issued by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

EXCEL and Power Point computer skills required.

HIPAA REQUIREMENTS :

Maintains knowledge of and adherence to all applicable HIPAA regulations appropriate to Job Position including but not limited to : Paper medical records with limit to job functions, electronic GHIN without limit, patient demographics, lab results, patient information related to surgery or appointment schedules, patient related complaints, and information related to patient location.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS :

Maintains knowledge of and adherence to all applicable safety practices appropriate to Job Position including but not limited to : Incident reporting, handling of wastes, sharps and linen, PPE, exposure control plans, hand washing, environment of care, and patient identification.