MAJOR DUTIES: The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for developing and maintaining the overall Quality Management Plan for the Munson Army Health Center Laboratory. The incumbent will develop and monitor all applicable metrics and will work with the Laboratory Manager and Laboratory Director in implementing the Quality Management Plan and addressing issues with quality. The incumbent will serve as a Laboratory liaison with the Department of Medicine and outside facilities for all issues concerning quality, patient safety, and risk management in the Laboratory. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that all applicable accreditation requirements are met and will be responsible for maintaining documentation necessary for accreditation by applicable accrediting bodies. Acts as Chief of Laboratory Services in their absence. 1. The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for developing, maintaining, and monitoring the organization Quality Management Plan utilizing applicable Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CSLI) and College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines. a. Works with each section in establishing quality assurance indicators. Ensures the Laboratory conforms to applicable quality assurance standards, regulations, and requirements. Establishesand writes procedures and methods for quality assurance monitoring and process validation. Establishes quality assurance/maintenance schedules for equipment and procedures. b. Evaluates and monitors the quality of the Laboratory Services and processes through review of reports, quality control records, quality assurance records, on-site inspections, audits and regularly scheduled quality assurance meetings with Laboratory personnel. Identifies deficiencies, explore/locate sources and methods for obtaining resources needed to correct deficiencies. Plans, implements, and monitors improvement programs. Plans and coordinates preventive maintenance programs for equipment and reviews preventive maintenance records. c. Ensures SOPs and validation plans exist for all procedures, and that SOPs accurately describe and define the procedure, including a statement of what the procedure is intended to accomplish. Confirms that SOPs are in compliance with all applicable regulations. d. Responsible for oversight of all processes, procedures, and documentation required for accreditation by appropriately accrediting bodies and will assist the Laboratory Manager and Laboratory Director in ensuring continuous compliance. e. Serves as the liaison with Munson for all issues related to quality, patient safety, and risk management. 2. Establishes short and long range plans and schedules to implement the goals and objectives of Quality Assurance (QA) within framework of the goals, objectives and deadlines set by higher management. Develops plans in anticipation of program changes and changes in regulatory requirements, to accommodate new mission initiatives and increased workload. Accomplishes technical resource planning for the QA function. Assures plans are cost effective, improve productivity and improve turnaround time to the client. Participates in planning meetings with the Laboratory Director and Laboratory Manager/section Medical Technologists in relation to proposed laboratory proficiency tests/quality assurance measures and future analysis requests. Performs extensive coordination of in-house laboratory analysis work and analytical support work to ensure maintenance of a buffer capability to respond to emergencies. The Laboratory Manager utilizes performance based statistics to ensure that the laboratory data adheres to data quality objectives. 3. The Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist will perform the full range of supervisory duties for three GS-10s, four GS-7s and three GS-5s Medical Technologist/Medical Technicians. Informs higher level supervisor of anticipated vacancies, increase in workload or other circumstances requiring replacement personnel or additional staff. Interviews candidates for vacant positions and makes recommendations for appointments, promotions or reassignments. Advises employees of performance requirements of their positions and keeps them individually informed of their progress in meeting requirements. Evaluates work performance and prepares formal evaluations of employee's performance. Gives advice, counsel or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands, and recommends action in more serious cases. Controls attendance and approves/disapproves sick and annual leaves and vacation schedules. Hears and resolves complaints from employees. Refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to higher level supervisor or manager. Implements equal employment opportunity action plans. Implements provisions of awards and incentive systems. Assures adherence to safety practices and established procedures. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, and provides or arranges for training. May deal with union stewards on matters involving supervisory responsibilities. 4. Serves as the laboratory module manager and the technical expert in laboratory information systems and has primary responsibility for the integrity and availability of data generated by the Laboratory. Oversees, develops, updates and maintains the Laboratory Information System (LIS). The purpose of the position is to direct and manage Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) programs in the department and database applications related to processing physician requests for laboratory tests, primarily by the creation and maintenance of laboratory system files and tables. This includes laboratory equipment interfacing, reference laboratory computer interfacing, all data entry programs, all report programs needed for the functioning of the LIS and assignment of security access to members of the department. a. Plans and manages the activities and training of personnel in all sections within the department, ensuring appropriate user training material is accurate, complete and concise. b. Ensures the safeguard of data from unauthorized access and maintains records and extends user codes to new employees as the manager of the security module of the system. Documents all changes to the database initiated by version updated or by LIS programs at Munson AHC. c. Participates in workgroups for standardization, consolidation and testing of computer systems and programming before deployment. Works closely with other MTFs to ensure interoperability of reference laboratory testing processes smoothly. d. Ensures that documentation of programs and files is carried out in accordance with the guidelines of US Army Standards Medical Command and Defense Medical Information System standards, as well as the accreditation standards of the College of American Pathologists and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988. e. Conducts investigation of cause of laboratory problems, restarts interoperability interfaces, and defines the problem to restore operations. Contacts assistance through LIS Help Desk, if necessary, and tracks problems until resolution. f. Stays current through continuing education, industry seminars, courses and hardware/software vendor education sessions. Participates in national meetings and on user groups related to the enhancement of the database. g. Revises the Laboratory Services General Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures annually, or when indicated. This is to include Laboratory Front Desk SOP, the General Laboratory SOP, the Safety SOP, the Exposure Control Plan, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, the Composite Health Care System Plan and the Quality Improvement Plan. Performs other duties as assigned.