Laboratory Quality Assurance Specialist

Overview

The Laboratory Quality Assurance Specialist develops, maintains, and monitors the quality management system for Laboratory Services. Responsibilities include evaluating/implementing patient safety initiatives, regulatory and accreditation compliance, risk management, and performance improvement. Works with other ancillary and patient care departments to develop plans and policies for improved quality outcomes throughout all phases of testing. Manages external proficiency program. Coordinates/Prepares reports for the department and performs activities that promote compliance within the laboratory and point of care testing sites. Facilitates an annual assessment of the Quality Assurance program for the laboratory.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

• Teaches students, clinical staff, new employees and others as assigned by Manager. Monitors competency assessment completion.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Organizes workload and sets priorities. Utilizes all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.

• Analyzes and responds to client complaints, unusual incident reports and Risk Management inquires.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reviews all laboratory quality occurrence data; provides reports and graphical data to department management, clients and customers. Prepares quality reports to include specific monitors as defined by the Manager/Director.

• Manages laboratory proficiency testing program and tracks exceptions. Performs ordering, distributing proficiency testing samples to sections, routing results for review, monitoring results and initiating corrective action.

• Coordinates activities associated with point-of-care (POC) testing program throughout the hospital to include evaluation of equipment, policy development and implementation/monitoring of quality control.

• Prepares, implements, and initiates review of laboratory policy and procedures, performing literature searches as needed to promote compliance with regulatory agency requirements. Monitors Laboratory Services policies and procedures for review and sign-off of all policies.

• Coordinates activities associated with the preparation for laboratory and hospital surveys for everyday readiness. Facilitates follow-up for any deficiencies cited.

• Prepares presentations for committee meetings and educational programs. Facilitates discussions with staff and leaders in developing strategy and action plans for programs/projects.

• Coordinates the validation plan before the implementation of new testing and instrumentation.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Adjusts work schedule to accommodate departmental/organizational needs. Appropriately utilizes