Advisory Laboratorian, Medical Test Site Inspection & Investigation Team DOH8633

Overview

As a vital member of the Medical Test Site Inspection & Investigation team, you’ll serve as agency experts in health care facility inspections and complaint investigations of state licensed and federally (CLIA) certified medical testing facilities recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These positions interact with other inspectors and investigators in the office, laboratory and medical test site staff, other agency and government staff, and the public.

 

This announcement is for one (1) home-based, hybrid, full-time, permanent Advisory Laboratorian position located within the Office of Health Systems Oversight in the Health Services Quality Assurance Division.

Join our team as an Advisory Laboratorian, where you will play a key role in contributing to safe care for Washingtonians by providing oversight of state licensed and federally regulated clinical and behavioral health entities across Washington. Make a difference while applying professional judgement, skills, and technical knowledge —apply today to help us ensure the communities we oversee have access to good health care and safe medical testing facilities!

The Department of Health’s Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) division is responsible for oversight of Washington State’s health care delivery system which includes licensing and regulating over 463,000 health professionals in 83 health professions and 9,000 facilities. Working closely with communities and local health partners, we build strong health systems and prevention programs across the state.

Through timely, comprehensive, consistent, and fair inspections and investigations the Office of Health Systems Oversight (OHSO) supports the department’s mission to protect the public.

 

Key Responsibilities Include

Conducting on-site and off-site inspections and investigations in multiple geographic areas within Washington State to determine compliance with state licensing and federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification standards for medical test sites.
Developing an overall approach and creating an inspection or investigation plan by gathering information on past inspections, complaints, current laws, rules and regulations, team member/co-worker input for planning and organizing inspection and investigation processes.
If assigned a complaint investigation, reviewing complaint documentation and allegations to determine if a possible violation of state or federal rules/regulations is within the jurisdiction of the regulated medical test site.
Observing, reviewing, and evaluating the medical test site’s proficiency testing records, laboratory supervision and oversight, laboratory staff qualifications, laboratory staff training and competency assessment, testing records, quality assurance policies and effectiveness, quality control records, equipment maintenance records, and procedures during inspections and investigations to ensure health and safety standards are in compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
Interviewing laboratory directors, and/or designated representatives, concerning laboratory practices, procedures, quality plan, and clinical test results.
Identifying findings during inspections and investigations using laws, rules, regulations and guidelines, environmental health and safety standards, standards of care, industry guidelines, and policies and procedures to compile and prepare necessary documentation of deficiencies or violations in support of proposed corrective or legal action.
Creating written reports and giving verbal explanations of inspection or investigation findings.
Making conclusions and preparing comprehensive reports to determine regulatory compliance for state licensure of medical test sites utilizing computer programs within performance measure timelines.

 

Why Join Us?

Impactful Work: Ensuring health care facilities and medical testing sites meet regulations and safety standards.
Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a dedicated team, providing support and guidance to other Advisory Laboratorians, partners, and customers.
Growth Opportunities: Coordinate cross-office responses to requests for consultation and interpretation of state laws, rules and regulations.
Work-Life Balance: Be part of a dynamic hybrid work environment with support for a healthy work-life balance.

 

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and become a part of a mission-driven team dedicated to community health!

 

Location and Flexibility

 

These hybrid positions are expected to perform work activities in the field in multiple geographic areas in Washington State. When not traveling for work, you may work from home, from the closest DOH facility or an alternate location.

 

equired Qualifications

You must meet ONE of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

 

Option 1: Eight (8) or more years of clinical laboratory experience in high complexity testing in settings such as: hospital laboratory, clinical laboratory, or industrial medical laboratory which includes two (2) years of supervisory, consultative, or surveying experience. (Clinical laboratory experience includes: Immunohematology (Transfusion Services), Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Diagnostic Immunology, and/or Cytogenetics).

 

Option 2: A bachelor’s degree in laboratory science, biology, microbiology, chemistry, medical technology, or a closely related field; AND six (6) years of clinical laboratory experience, which includes two (2) years of supervisory experience in high complexity laboratory setting. (Clinical laboratory experience includes: Immunohematology (Transfusion Services), Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Diagnostic Immunology, and/or Cytogenetics.)

 

Option 3: A master’s degree in laboratory science, biology, microbiology, chemistry, medical technology, or a closely related field; AND four (4) years of clinical laboratory experience, which includes two (2) years of supervisory experience in high complexity laboratory setting. (Clinical laboratory experience includes: Immunohematology (Transfusion Services), Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Diagnostic Immunology, and/or Cytogenetics.)

One of the above options, AND the following experience.

National certification as a Medical Technologist (MT), Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) with American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), or equivalent nationally recognized certification agency.

 

Including laboratory experience evaluating principles, practices, techniques and procedures of clinical laboratory work in laboratory specialties such as Immunohematology (Transfusion Services), Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Diagnostic Immunology, and/or Cytogenetics according to state and federal CLIA certification laws, rules, and regulations.

 

Note: Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

As well as the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

Analysis and Problem Solving – Demonstrates ability to identify problems and address them by designing effective solutions.
Communication – Delivers accessible communications (written, oral, and visual) that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Interviewing: Use effective techniques for communicating and asking questions in ways that enhance clarity, information flow, and reliability of information.
Observation & Inspection: Uses visual inspection and pays close attention to details. Recognizes and responds to details that are easy to overlook or dismiss as insignificant.  Uses informed judgment, recognizes or anticipates when deviations from expected observations indicate a problem or issue that must be corrected. Identifies the most appropriate course of action in response to the observations, or to correct the situation.  Can distinguish which critical observations must be documented. Understands how to document critical observations in a way that others can understand and act upon their significance.
Technical and Professional Competence – Applies professional and technical knowledge and skills to fulfill job requirements and models and encourages commitment to critical thinking.

 

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

 

One (1) year experience as an intern in a clinical medical technology program.
Three (3) or more years of supervisory experience.
Experience working with and interpreting medical test site state laws, rules, and regulations.
Previous demonstrated experience in a regulatory, survey, inspection, investigation, or accreditation environment.

 

Benefits and Lifestyle

We prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle. Discover more about “Why DOH” by visiting Work@Health.

We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

At DOH, we safeguard public health in an ever-evolving world. Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily. We’re driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.

 

Conditions of Employment:

This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.

 

DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.