Title: Quality & Safety Group Manager - CL639

State Role Title: Scientist Manager I

Hiring Range: $96,000 to $110,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of General Services

Location:DCLS

Agency Website:www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties:

The Department of General Services (DGS) , Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) provides laboratory testing for local, state, and federal partners with the mission to promote a healthier, safer world through quality laboratory service. At DCLS our employees are adaptable, work with integrity, are collaborative, and drive quality results. Our fast-paced, innovative environment will challenge you with new experiences, enhance your skills while working side-by-side with leading laboratory professionals, and allow for collaboration with our diverse and forward-thinking team that is driven by a collective purpose to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth.

DCLS seeks a qualified candidate to serve as the Quality and Safety Group Manager to oversee and lead a team of qualified professionals responsible for all aspects of the laboratory's Quality Management and Safety Programs, with support from the Laboratory Director and Senior Leadership Team.

The Quality and Safety Group at DCLS is responsible for:

• Providing oversight, technical guidance, and consultation to staff in support of all clinical, environmental, and food testing performed by DCLS including adherence to quality and safety policies and procedures;
• Ensuring laboratory compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards including but not limited to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), the NELAC Institute (TNI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO17025); and
• Ensuring effective internal and external quality and safety audits; proficiency testing; competency assessments; trainings and other quality and safety processes.

The selected candidate for this Group Manager (Scientist Manager I) position will use technical knowledge, leadership, and organization skills to work both independently and as a team member to:

• Support the DCLS Quality Management and Safety Programs by monitoring for compliance with all safety, security and quality policies and procedures throughout the laboratory;
• Continuously analyze quality and safety data to identify trends, monitor corrective and preventive actions proposed by staff, assess investigational completeness and appropriateness of corrective actions to promote a culture of continuous quality and safety improvement;
• Respond and investigate all quality and safety issues and problems, immediately notifying senior leadership and providing recommendations for timely and effective correction and process improvement;
• Maintain open lines of communication with staff at all levels to include facilitation of individualized and group discussions to share technical expertise and guidance, updates to policies and procedures, new information and best practices and respond to staff questions and concerns; and
• Work in collaboration with the Laboratory Systems Improvement and Training team to develop and deliver high quality trainings and educational content to address training requirements and potential training gaps.

DGS offers excellent health benefits at affordable pricing, pre-tax spending accounts, paid lifeinsurance, paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and other leave benefits, wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching. DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Qualified state employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) . As a full-time employee with the Virginia Department of General Services, Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, you may be able to take advantage of this program! Visit the site Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for more information including eligibility requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Meets the educational and work experience requirements as defined by either Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) for general or technical supervisor 42 CFR § 493.1449 , NELAP or ISO17025 ;
• Experience applying or ensuring quality and/or safety principles as they relate to laboratory testing;
• Knowledge of the regulatory requirements for the testing of different sample types;
• Experience reviewing and interpreting scientific validation/verification data, corrective/preventive actions and incident response findings for accuracy and regulatory compliance;
• Experience ensuring laboratory compliance with laboratory safety practices for the handling of chemical, biological, radiological, or other toxic agents;
• Experience supervising or leading diverse teams;
• Demonstrated leadership skills and an ability to independently coordinate, lead and prioritize work;
• Demonstrated ability to assess hazardous situations and formulate recommendations for mitigation; and
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally.
  

Additional Considerations:

• Experience ensuring compliance with federal regulatory standards including CLIA, TNI and/or ISO17025;
• Experience working in a high complexity public health laboratory;
• Knowledge of the federal select agent program;
• Experience with trending of quality and/or safety data for the development of performance metrics/measures and summary reports;
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices as they relate to mechanical and laboratory facility controls;
• Experience with the use of electronic document management software; and
• Computer skills including the ability to create spreadsheets.

Special Instructions:

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

DGS will record information from each new employee's Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.

The selected candidate must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Fax, e-mail or mail applications will not be accepted. The online State application must contain all required information and fully respond to the questions to be considered for this job opportunity.

For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office at jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or call 804-786-3910.

Applications will be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received. After 5 business days, this position may be closed at any time.

The Virginia Department of General Services is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service experience are encouraged to apply.

Applicants in need of accommodation during the application and/or interview process may contact DGS at 804-786-3910 for assistance.

The online state application must contain all required information and fully respond to questions to be considered for this job opportunity. For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or 804-786-3910.

Blood-borne pathogen training will be provided by the employer. In order to comply with OSHA blood-borne pathogen requirements, DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine.

DCLS employees are designated as essential personnel. This designation requires DCLS employees to report to the workplace or at an assigned remote location during state authorized closings or delays (i.e., weather-related closures/delays, holidays, etc.), unless otherwise instructed by management.

Contact Information

Name: DGS Human Resources

Phone: 804-786-3910

Email: jobs@dgs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.