Laboratory Quality Specialist
Harris Health System is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; and the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine at the University of Houston.
Job Summary
Assists in coordinating Quality Assurance activities within the assigned laboratory department/section. This position supports compliance with clinical lab regulatory standards (CLIA, CAP, etc.) and lab safety standards. The role involves basic judgement, analytical ability, and problem - solving skills in dealing with data and situations. The laboratory quality specialist assists in implementing and maintaining the quality management plan and performance improvement activities for the assigned area, ensuring inspection readiness at all times.
Minimum Qualifications
Degrees: Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology
Licenses & Certification:
Medical Technologist OR Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Histotechnician (HT), Histotechnologist (HTL) Cytotechnologist (CT), Molecular Biology (MB), Molecular Diagnostics or equivalent certification within the following organizations: ASCP, AMT, ABB or equivalent
Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA), Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) or Quality Technician (CQT); Must obtain one of these certifications from ASQ within 18 months of employment
Work Experience:
6 Months Work Experience Quality assurance and/or compliance preferred
Certified Professional for Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) or Six Sigma certification preferred
Project management certification preferred.
Two (2) Years Work Experience Clinical laboratory in one of the following areas:
Blood bank, Chemistry and hematology, Point of Care Testing (POCT), Microbiology, Histology or cytology Molecular / flow cytometry
Communication Skills: Writing/ Correspondence, Writing/ Reports
Proficiencies: MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, MS Outlook, P.C.
Job Attributes
Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:
Analytical: Strong problem-solving skills
Statistical: Demonstrates knowledge of basic statistics (mean, CV, SD, control charts, etc.)
Work Schedule:
Flexible: Laboratory departments are open 24/7, some weekend, evening and night work is expected
Travel: >75%, Travel is primarily limited to Harris Health System hospitals and clinics.
Telecommute