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.

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.

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.

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