Career Center

These positions serve as agency experts in health care facility inspections and complaint investigations of state licensed and federally certified medical testing facilities recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  

We are looking to fill three (3) home-based/hybrid, full-time, permanent Advisory Laboratorian positions located within the Office of Health Systems Oversight in the Health Services Quality Assurance Division.  It is anticipated that one (1) of these positions will be expected to be assigned to work in Eastern Washington and the Spokane region. 

This posting will be reviewed weekly beginning Tuesday November 12, apply early! The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or to close the recruitment at any time.

What You Will Do:

As an Advisory Laboratorian you will:

• Conduct on-site and off-site inspections and investigations in multiple geographic areas within Washington State to determine compliance with state licensing and federal CLIA certification standards for medical test sites, applying professional judgement, skills, and technical knowledge.  Create written reports and give verbal explanations of inspection or investigation findings. Participate in legal proceedings related to enforcement actions associated with assigned inspections or investigations. 

Some of what you will do:

• Lead and direct initial and routine inspections and/or complaint investigations of assigned facilities under the direction of the supervisor. 
• Develop an overall approach and create 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, review 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 
• Observe, review, and evaluate 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.
• Interview laboratory directors, and/or designated representatives, concerning laboratory practices, procedures, quality plan, and clinical test results. 
• Assess management policies pertaining to personnel, quality assurance, safety, testing procedures, quality control, and reporting of patient results.
• Identify 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.
• Serve as primary point of contact with the facility representative and Office of Health Systems Oversight management during an inspection or investigation. 
• Review, analyze, and evaluate the information from observations, interviews, and document review for compliance with laws and rules. 
• Make conclusions and prepare comprehensive reports to determine regulatory compliance for state licensure of medical test sites utilizing computer programs within performance measure timelines.

You’re Our Ideal Candidate If: 

• You embrace cultural humility by honoring diverse perspectives and cultures.
• You are committed to equity and inclusion, removing barriers, championing social justice, and fostering a sense of belonging.
• You use an outward mindset to make impactful contributions, blending your personal expertise with collaborative achievements.
• You excel at problem-solving and crafting effective solutions while communicating clearly across different mediums.
• You are dedicated to customer service and navigate diverse interactions to build strong organizational relationships.
• Your technical competence shines, making you an invaluable asset to our team!

Location and Flexibility 

Enjoy the flexibility of our hybrid work environment, where you can balance working from home and it is anticipated that you’ll be expected to perform work activities in the field in multiple geographic areas within Washington State. In addition, one (1) of these positions will be expected to be assigned to work in Eastern Washington and the Spokane region.

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:

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. 

I am prepared, with or without accommodations, to do the following:

• Commit to a full-time 40-hour workweek schedule (flexible work schedule requests must be approved supervisor).
• Communicate through applications such as MS Teams and MS Outlook, and by phone while working remotely.
• Adjust my work schedule occasionally to align with business needs, which may entail working evenings and weekends.
• Duties require regular travel to various locations within Washington State, sometimes requiring overnight stays or trips out of state. You must be able to legally drive a vehicle or arrange alternative transportation for state business.
• When not traveling for work, the incumbent may work from home, from a DOH facility or work remotely from an alternative location. The official duty station will be either the nearest DOH facility or is home-based.
• One of the positions will work in Eastern Washington and the Spokane region within Washington state and may be required to perform duties at other regions throughout Washington.
• Engage in emergency response exercises and high-priority assignments as assigned during emergency events. 
• Must be able to move objects weighing up to 30 lbs.

Required Qualifications (you must meet ONE of the provided options and any additional criteria listed.): 

Experience defined below 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).  

OR

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.)

OR

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.)

AND for all the options above:

Preferred 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.  

About Washington State Department of Health

The vision of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is equity and optimal health for all. Our mission is to work with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state.

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