Quality Assurance Specialist, CS-13 (Grant Funded)

This position is located in the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) within the Public Health Laboratory (PHL). The mission of the DFS is to provide high-quality, timely, accurate, and reliable forensic science services using best practices and best available technology, focusing on unbiased science and transparency, to enhance public safety and health.

Primarily responsible for implementing an accreditation strategy, planning, execution, coordination, and maintenance of the PHL’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and ISO 17025 accreditation. Additionally, they will review the quality assurance data and findings, as well as develop an annual plan for quality assurance monitoring, for tracking trends as it pertains to quality assurance data. They will consult and be familiar with federal publications such as the Federal Register (CFR), CLIA documents and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Select Agents and Toxins (DSAT), College of American Pathologists (CAP) documents, and routinely confers with regulatory officials as needed. They will serve as an expert advisor for laboratory accreditation, certification, and national standards as they pertain to continuous quality improvements and meeting the standards of CLIA, CAP, and ISO 17025.
Assists with identifying and establishing laboratory QA/QC training needs and resource requirements after evaluating all programmatic areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Quality Assurance Specialist assists with identifying and establishing training needs and resource requirements after evaluating all programmatic areas; and develops monitoring instruments to enhance agency and staff performance (measures and goals).
Ensures that evaluations of all programs offered by DFS have established standards/SOP's that are meaningful and measurable; and evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that the programs meet the needs of the clients.
Reviews and participates in the agency's procurement planning sessions to provide guidance on the methodology to be used to assess performance measures, incentives, and penalties.
Conducts research and analysis of best practices in order to keep abreast of new and revised procedures, laws, regulations, policies industry standards. Revises and recommends policies governing operating procedures, to ensure that best practices and industry standards are utilized so as to enhance agency organizational structure.
Coordinates all laboratory activities in support of QA and safety programs, ensures that activities are properly designed and expeditiously implemented in a manner that will provide reliable support for those objectives that are responsive to the mission(s).
Resolves difficulties between all program units contained within DFS, as well as establishing measures/standards that safeguard the integrity of the agency when interacting with vendors or other governmental entities.

The incumbent deals with DFS managers and other D.C. agencies on significant issues that affects laboratory Quality Assurance; and critically evaluated and maintains accreditation standards; schedules periodic QA audits to ensure conformance with approved policies and procedures; responds to requests; and recommends and manages implementation of preventive measures and corrective action to ensure non-recurrence of deficiencies. Designs and executes test plans on computer applications; records and documents results and compare to expected results; documents anomalies and Issues and performs reviews, walkthroughs, and/or inspections; and ensures data integrity standards.

Qualifications and Education

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the CS-12 grade level. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes work applying quality assurance analysis principles, techniques, methods, theories, concepts, practices, and standards; work applying forensic laboratory accreditation rules, standards, and guidelines; and of the tools necessary to evaluate the evidence and the ability to assist with developing new standards and with identifying training needs and resource requirements for the organization; or performing similar quality assurance analysis. Demonstrated experience using PC and software packages (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Power Point, etc.) and software applicable to various reporting systems, particularly laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and inventory control. Excellent oral and written communications skills sufficient to prepare and present pertinent information and maintain effective relationships. Ability to testify effectively in court as an expert witness in legal proceedings.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and 5 years of relevant work experience is preferred.

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is primarily performed in an office setting and may occasionally perform work in a laboratory.

Licensures and Certifications

None

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: 9:00am to 5:30pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-1910- 13

Salary Range: $87,703 - $113,002; based on funding

Duration of Appointment: Career Service - Term Appointment (Not-to-Exceed 2 years)

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

This is a grant funded position

Due to the nature of the work in the forensic casework laboratories, the applicant will be required to submit a buccal swab for the purposes of the DNA Quality Control database for the DFS.

Position Designation: This position has been deemed Safety Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual and is subject to mandatory pre-employment and periodic criminal background checks and traffic records checks (as applicable). This position is also subject to mandatory pre-employment and random drug and alcohol Testing. In this position, you may be disqualified from employment based on the presence of marijuana in test results, even if you possess a medical card authorizing the use of medical marijuana.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.