Laboratory Quality and Compliance Coordinator (Microbiology)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the general guidance of the Quality and Compliance Specialist, the Quality and Compliance Coordinator is responsible for the support of laboratory system compliance with regulations of the AABB and FDA for Blood Bank, CLIA, CAP and JCAHO, NCCLS, HCFA, OSHA, DPH, the HIPAA, and all payers. The Laboratory Quality and Compliance Coordinator is also responsible for data collection, collation, project management, documentation, and support of the Laboratory's Quality, Compliance, and Safety Programs.

Position: Laboratory Quality and Compliance Coordinator

Department: Microbiology Lab

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Quality Responsibilities:

• Collects and collates data for BMC's Laboratory Quality programs in accordance with the requirements of the various accrediting agencies and the Boston Medical Center Quality Improvement Department.
• Contributes to BMC departmental goals of efficiency, cost effectiveness, optimization of resources, and revenue enhancement.
• Presents Lab Medicine data, as requested, to BMC's quality teams.
• Contributes to a technically sound environment to optimize the quality of lab services.
• Plans, collects data, monitors variables, and undertakes action on assigned projects within stated deadlines.
• Supports continual customer service improvements in conjunction with the technical supervisors and under the direction of the Quality and Compliance Specialist.
• Supports the activities of the Quality and Compliance Specialist to ensure that quality goals for the health centers are designed and met.

Laboratory Billing Compliance:

• Acquires in-depth, up-to-date expertise in billing compliance including the practices of various third-party payers.
• Ensures optimal billing practices through training and communication with the following:
• the Quality and Compliance Specialist
• Clinical laboratory leadership and staff
• Personnel at the BMC licensed Community Health Centers
• BMC practice managers
• BMC charge master and billing specialists

Attends specific training exercises to ensure that expertise is maintained.

Interacts with practice managers to ensure that their practices provide adequate billing information for laboratory tests.

Assists with annual charge master review and ensures that new billing codes are applied.

Laboratory Regulatory Compliance:

• Works to support the Quality and Compliance Specialist to define and resolve BMC/health center compliance problems and quality issues.
• Acquires in-depth, up-to-date expertise in regulatory compliance including the regulations of the JCAHO, CLIA, CAP, CMS, AABB, and HPIAA.
• Meets compliance goals for the medical center/health center laboratory system as assigned by the Quality and Compliance Specialist and the conjunction with managers, directors and supervisors.
• Interacts with laboratory supervisors to ensure that compliance problems are resolved.
• Conducts audits and resolve issues relating to laboratory practices, billing, and other compliance issues.
• Assists in preparation and administration of BMC lab and BMC licensed health center lab compliance training programs, and keeps records of completion.

Laboratory Safety Compliance:

• Acquires in-depth, up-to-date expertise in safety compliance including OSHA's safety regulations.
• Develops and implements the BMC clinical laboratories safety program to include annual training and TB testing, competency testing, and self-inspections. Maintains applicable records and shares them with supervisors.
• Ensures that all CAP, OSHA, JCAHO and DPH requirements for Safety are met.
• The quality and compliance coordinator co-directs the Laboratory Safety Committee, and may participate as a member of the BMC Safety Committee.

General Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates a commitment to continue self-development in management skills and scientific knowledge by attending one management and/or scientific workshop per year.
• Demonstrates reliability: Follows Medical Center and Health Center departmental policies and procedures; demonstrates consistent attendance and punctuality at work and department meetings; and completes work assignments within assigned time frames.
• Cooperates and communicates with laboratory staff at BMC and the Health Centers, members of other hospital departments, and other managers.
• Works with administrators, managers, supervisors, medical directors and staff to achieve common goals.
• Is concerned for patient welfare and is committed to the mission of BMC and its affiliated Health Centers.
• Incorporates Medical Center and Health Center values into all undertakings.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned or as necessary.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB DESCRIPTION CHARACTERISTICS

EDUCATION:

Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in Medial Technology or Clinical Laboratory Science which includes successful completion of a supervised course of clinical internship in an approved hospital laboratory, or a Bachelor's degree in an applied science (Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry).

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Certification by American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency (NCA) or equivalent agency as a Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technician, or specialty certification is preferred. Equivalent agency is defined as an agency that requires a degree in science from an accredited college or university with successful completion of an examination for certification. Such agencies include but are not limited to ASCP, NCA, American Medical Technologists (AMT), American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), Health Education and Welfare (HEW), and American Society of Microbiologists (AMT).

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of 5 years full-time experience in the clinical laboratory; quality and compliance experience is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Demonstrated, strong, leadership abilities including excellent written and verbal communication skills. In-depth scientific understanding of laboratory practices; knowledgeable about all tasks delineated in the job description of Medical Technologist.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans