QA/QI Coordinator

About the role

UPMC Presbyterian is hiring a QA/QI Coordinator to support the Clinical Laboratories at the Clinical Laboratory Building in Oakland. This self-motivated position focuses on laboratory quality management activities, including regulatory and compliance, quality metrics, and outcomes. The role requires strong computer skills (especially Microsoft 365), strong communication skills, and experience with data analysis and project management. This position is part of the Laboratory Service Center Quality team and offers an exciting opportunity to collaborate with laboratories throughout the Pittsburgh area and across the UPMC system. The role requires the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with some flexibility in work location based on the needs of the role.

Responsibilities

Quality Assurance Reporting

• Provide oversight of the laboratory quality management system, coordinating with medical and laboratory leadership in the identification, development, and management of quality indicators to assess overall laboratory performance.
• Monitor trends for areas of improvement.
• Aid in the preparation of quality assurance reports, including data collection and presentation of data.
• Present to local lab and hospital leadership.
• Follow up with action plans when performance is outside designated thresholds.
• Identify process improvement initiatives as determined from quality assurance reporting.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Assist the laboratory with coordination of all regulatory and accreditation activities.
• Maintain certifications and permits for all laboratories.
• Organize and prepare the laboratory for on-site and off-site inspections.
• Conduct internal audits to assess inspection readiness.
• Report findings of non-compliance to laboratory leadership for corrective action.
• Maintain all records for accreditation activities.
• Communicate all changes of regulations to laboratory leadership to ensure compliance.
• Assist labs with interpretation of regulations as needed, including communicating with accrediting agencies.
• Assist laboratory leadership with maintenance of all proficiency testing processes, including ordering, proficiency testing compliance notification management, and proficiency testing corrective action documentation.
• Participate in inspections both internally and externally; demonstrate proficiency in auditing processes.

Investigation and Reporting of Quality Events

• Coordinate the investigation and documentation of all quality events for the laboratory.
• Coordinate event details and summary of corrective actions.
• Track and trend issues to identify process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain documentation of quality events.
• Conduct root cause analysis.
• Audit resolutions for completeness.
• Update policies and procedures as applicable.

Lab Safety

• Participate in laboratory safety activities to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Provide guidance on interpretation and education of regulations.
• Trend safety incidents.
• Conduct safety audits.
• Maintain laboratory safety manuals.
• Ensure completion of safety documentation, which may include personal protective equipment assessments, chemical inventories, ergonomic assessments, drills, emergency preparedness, and monitoring of hazardous and biological waste disposal.

Document Control Management

• In collaboration with lab leadership, create, revise, and maintain policies to ensure general laboratory policies meet current regulations.
• Facilitate best practice policy development for the system.
• Support any learning opportunities or training related to laboratory policy.
• Assist laboratory leadership with the management and maintenance of the laboratory’s document control application; have a strong understanding of the application and how to navigate and resolve requests.

Process Improvement

• Collaborate with the QA Department and the LSC to participate in the design, development, and implementation of project planning processes.
• Lead process improvement activities targeting potential problems across multiple laboratories and hospitals as assigned.
• Utilize performance improvement methodologies to assist staff in problem solving.
• In collaboration with the project manager and QA department, develop project plans, allocate resources, and track project progress.

Data Analysis

• Analyze data and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and use data-driven insights to guide decision making.

Report Generation

• Design, compile, and maintain reports, including statistical data, to track progress and outcomes of quality and standardization initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in healthcare, process improvement, or quality role required:
  • 2 years’ experience with a degree in a health or science related field, OR
  • 3 years’ experience required with degree in other field of study.
• Must have experience with Microsoft 365 platform.
• Understanding of healthcare and laboratory applications preferred.
• Must have strong skills in communication, critical thinking, and time management.
• Must be able to collaborate in a variety of team settings both in remote/virtual settings and in person.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Act 34 clearance required.

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment with a combination of onsite and remote work.
• Flexibility in work location based on the needs of the role.
• Opportunities to grow skills and experience while collaborating with laboratories across the UPMC system.

Schedule

Regular onsite presence is required; hybrid schedule with a combination of onsite and remote work.