STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Laboratory Quality Assurance Manager

Office/On-site

Recruitment #220811-8900MP-001

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Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is recruiting for a full time, permanent Laboratory Quality Assurance (QA) Manager, reporting directly to the Laboratory Director. This leadership position will direct and coordinate all aspects of quality assurance and quality control programs of the state public health laboratory. 

The QA Manager will have experience with accreditation standards and information management policies for programs such as CLIA, EPA, ISO, and HIPAA. The QA Manger will also have a strong understanding of the principles, practices, and techniques of the various analytical areas of the laboratory with an emphasis on Microbiology and Clinical Chemistry. 

The QA Manager will be responsible for: 
  • Ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies pertaining to laboratory certifications;
  • Creating and maintaining quality assurance manuals for various laboratory certifications;
  • Monitoring quality assurance data and managing internal and external audits and responding to audit findings; 
  • Managing proficiency testing programs; documenting control systems; competency assessment; training and other quality management systems such as Six Sigma or LEAN; and
  • Analyzing data, identifying trends, monitoring prevention and corrective actions of quality deviations with recommendations for resolution to include developing reports for management utilizing technical knowledge and laboratory experience.
The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state. 

DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

TO APPLY
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
AFTER YOU APPLY 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
CONNECT WITH US 
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. 
  • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jensine Tran at jensine.tran@ct.gov. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Department of Public Health, this class is accountable for directing a comprehensive program of quality assurance and monitoring compliance activities of the laboratory.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Directs staff and operations of program; coordinates, plans and manages quality assurance activities of the laboratory to ensure all national and international standards for quality in testing are met; formulates program goals and objectives; develops or assists in development of related policy; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in preparation of program budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of program who might impact on program activities; oversees development, preparation and maintenance of quality assurance manuals to meet current standards; ensures all laboratory staff are trained in critical requirements of quality control; monitors quality assurance data and initiates corrective action as required; serves as key liaison with accrediting bodies regarding inspection activities including attending inspection exit interviews and preparation of response to written inspection reports; oversees compliance in laboratory safety and security standards set forth by accrediting and regulatory bodies; performs investigations of quality concerns performing internal audits of the laboratory upon direction of the Laboratory Director; performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION: Ensures all quality assurance policies and procedures of the laboratory, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Quality Assurance Standards (QAS), American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) International and Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) are adhered to.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of nationally and internationally accepted standards for certification of clinical, environmental, radiological, biochemical or forensic science laboratories; considerable knowledge of applications of laboratory science in public health programs or forensic science sections; considerable knowledge of biological and chemical sciences; considerable knowledge of development and application of quality assurance principles to laboratory practice; considerable knowledge of the use of statistics used to track and evaluate laboratory quality; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to train all levels of personnel in laboratory quality, safety and security requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Ten (10) years of experience in public health, biological, environmental, commercial, clinical or chemical laboratory work or forensic analysis of evidentiary material.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a lead capacity guiding the activities of professional laboratory personnel or forensic analysis of evidentiary material.

Note: For State Employees, this is interpreted at the level of Principal Microbiologist, Principal Chemist or Forensic Science Examiner 2.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training in biological or chemical sciences, forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics or molecular and cell biology or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in biological or chemical sciences, forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics or molecular and cell biology may be substituted for five (5) years of the General Experience.
3. A Doctoral degree in biological or chemical sciences, forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics or molecular and cell biology may be substituted for six (6) years of the General Experience.
NOTE: Education may only be substituted for a total of six (6) years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with accreditation standards and information management policies for programs such as CLIA, CAP, EPA, ISO and HIPAA. Experience includes the ability to provide leadership and guidance to staff to ensure that quality policies, processes and procedures are established, current and adhered to by all laboratory staff
  • Experience or coursework in the principles, practices, and techniques of the various analytical areas of the laboratory with an emphasis on Microbiology and Clinical Chemistry
  • Experience managing internal and external audit processes and responding to audit findings
  • Experience conducting external assessments, testing programs, document control systems, competency assessment, training and other quality management systems such as Six Sigma or LEAN.
  • Experience analyzing data, identifying trends, monitoring prevention and corrective actions of quality deviations with recommendations for resolution
  • Experience developing reports for management utilizing technical knowledge and laboratory experience
  • Experience working with the Chemical Safety officer and Biosafety officer to align quality practices, including data analysis, monitoring of trends, prevention, corrections, continuous quality improvement and customer satisfaction
  • Experience or coursework working on complex projects independently and in a team environment with multi-cultural and multi-disciplined staff
  • Experience collaborating, presenting, and explaining technical laboratory information and recommendations to management
  • Experience with the development and the implementation of laboratory safety standard operating procedures including:  Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories; Radiation Safety requirements and the Chemical Hygiene Plan

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
2. Incumbents may be required to meet job specific certifications or meet specific education and/or experience requirements of a licensing or accrediting body.
3. Incumbents may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.





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