Medical Technologist, Quality Assurance Specialist

Job Description

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Quality Assurance Specialist in the Chemistry Lab. As a Quality Assurance Specialist, you'll provide quality and regulatory oversight of 100+ tests required to support ED/trauma, OR, critical care, and oncology. Operating within UChicago Medicine's Department of Pathology, we provide reference laboratory testing to various related and unrelated health care entities, managed care organizations and non-affiliated hospitals, outpatient clinics and private physicians' offices. We offer a full range of diagnostic services.

**Sign On Bonus Available**

Job Summary

Serves as the coordinator for the subspecialty operations within the Chemistry laboratory. Provides continued support for new procedures after implementation into routine diagnostic practice. Provides specialized technical leadership to the Medical Technologists as the Manager's designee. Routinely performs a wide range of clinical analyses in all sections of the laboratory by properly utilizing a variety of methodologies and instrumentation. Adheres to and assists in enforcing policies and procedures to assure results of the highest level of quality to physicians and their patients. Provides support of specialized projects and implementations. Maintains the laboratory's QM plan.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides specialized support in the implementation of new clinical laboratory procedures, instrumentation, and validations/processes.
• Provides continued technical support after clinical implementation and readily troubleshoots issues as needed.
• Provides assistance in establishing and monitoring the laboratory's total quality management program; including, the standards of accuracy, precision, and efficiency in the performance of tests or the operation of equipment in the specialty area.
• Assigned leadership responsibility for special projects/activities such as correlation studies, test initiation and setup, alternate site testing oversight, inventory management, lead designation for shifts, and medical education for students and housestaff.
• Coordinates shift schedules in to support student and housestaff education and laboratory senior medical technologist responsibilities.
• Tracks overall compliance of regulatory requirements including proficiency, calibration verification studies, method comparisons, and competency.
• Performs monthly QC review for all subspecialties areas.
• Serves as the laboratory's IT super user by supporting the lab in upgrades, validations, and initial training/documentation.
• Collects, analyzes, and presents IT and quality data for internal and external meetings.
• May provide direct oversight and supervision of staff, under the designation of the laboratory manager including issuance of corrective action, scheduling, competency, personnel file maintenance, and performance reviews. Communicates any pertinent information or problems with laboratory staff and managers in a respectful and proactive manner.
• Actively receives specimens submitted to laboratory. Utilizes policies and procedures for requisition and specimen requirements to determine whether the submitted specimen can be processes for analysis. Assures proper storage and procedures for specimens that cannot be immediately analyzed.
• Conducts preliminary specimen preparations for the analytical process through centrifugation of blood specimens, aliquotting of blood and body fluids and distribution of the prepared specimens to the appropriate sections of the laboratory. Troubleshoots specimen problems as needed.
• Practices the proficient and safe use of all equipment necessary for the completion of all duties and responsibilities by following all maintenance, safety and quality controls policies, and procedures.
• Assists in establishing and maintaining continual compliance with policies, procedures, and record keeping necessary to meet the standards of accrediting or regulatory agencies. Additionally practices troubleshooting and minor repair of equipment, including teaching this to others.
• Answers inquiries regarding specimen handling, results and other technical information.
• Appropriately assists clinicians with requests and seeks out resources necessary when information is not available to answer questions.
• Reports all test results in the laboratory information system according to laboratory policies and procedures, within stated turn-around times, and follows appropriate backup procedures during computer downtimes.
• Analyzes all test and quality control results for errors, inconsistencies and deviations prior to reporting results.
• Initiates and documents troubleshooting and problem solving to resolve issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Must satisfy CLIA 88 qualification requirements for general supervisor who oversees testing personnel performing high complexity testing.
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in clinical laboratory science or related field, from an accredited college or university.
• Certification or eligibility as medical technologist, (MT) or specialist in chemistry (SC) through American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent
• At least three years prior work experience required for certified individuals with practical clinical laboratory experience or a minimum of six years of pertinent clinical laboratory work experience for non-certified individuals with a bachelor's or advanced degree.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge and proficiency in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, and graphical computer programs, automated laboratory platforms systems and conventional laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge and ability to use laboratory and hospitals information systems. Ability to use and understand basic statistical concepts and methods that are commonly utilized in clinical laboratory science.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with individuals at all levels.
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to work in stressful situations, and detail oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior supervisory experience highly preferred
• 5+ years as a Medical Technologist (Chemistry or Core lab)
• Strong regulatory understanding pertaining to CAP Accreditation
• Strong understanding of Quality Control requirements in a high volume/automated laboratory
• EPIC, Beaker and Sunquest experience
• Experience with writing/editing department procedures
• Safety and Compliance experience

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time
• Shift: Day Shift
• Unit/Department: Clinical Chemistry
• CBA code: Non-Union

Must comply with UCMC's COVID-19 Vaccination requirement as a condition of employment. If you have already received the vaccination, you must provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. This is in addition to your compliance with the Flu Vaccination requirement as well. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered consistent with applicable law. Lastly, a pre-employment physical, drug screening, and background check are also required for all employees prior to hire.

Why Join Us

We've been at the forefront of medicine since 1899. We provide superior healthcare with compassion, always mindful that each patient is a person, an individual. To accomplish this, we need employees with passion, talent and commitment... with patients and with each other. We're in this together: working to advance medical innovation, serve the health needs of the community, and move our collective knowledge forward. If you'd like to add enriching human life to your profile, The University of Chicago Medicine is for you. Here at the forefront, we're doing work that really matters. Join us. Bring your passion.

Bring your career to the next level at a hospital that is thriving; from patient satisfaction to employee engagement, we are at the Forefront of Medicine. Take advantage of all we have to offer and #BringYourPassiontotheForefront.

University of Chicago Medicine is growing; discover how you can be a part of this pursuit of excellence at: www.uchospitals.edu/jobs

The University of Chicago Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.