Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Quality Officer role involves the implementation and maintenance of the Quality Management System for the laboratory. The Quality Management System encompasses the entirety of the laboratory’s practices, and is necessary for the laboratory to comply with legal requirements, and the standards of internationally recognised accreditation bodies. The Senior Quality Officer supports the laboratory management team to plan and implement organisational and departmental policies, and review the laboratory clinical governance plan.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific

1. Report to Laboratory Manager, Head of Service, and Laboratory Clinical Leads on the effectiveness of the Quality Management System.
2. Communicate to laboratory management any relevant changes in legislation, and recommend best practices from MOH and external accreditation and professional bodies.
3. Ensure that all incidents are reported and investigated within the established timeline, including implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
4. Provide advice to team to meet or improve performance indicators.
5. Act as the point of contact with Ministry of Health and accreditation bodies (e.g. College of American Pathologists).
6. Co-ordinate inspections by external agencies, and responses to documented non-compliances and deficiencies.
7. Ensure that personnel comply with policies, work instructions and guidelines, and work with Head of Clinical laboratory and reporting officers on disciplinary measures.
8. Have a good operating knowledge of laboratory information system, equipment software, and other software used in laboratory.
9. Oversee calibration, quality control and validation of laboratory analysers and other laboratory equipment, including point-of-care testing devices (where applicable).
10. Oversee testing of specimens from quality assurance programme surveys.
11. Write and review documents, including policies, work instructions, bench guides and forms.
12. Perform specimen reception, order entry and other duties in laboratory.
13. Identify and trouble-shoot major issues, and make decisions on whether escalation to Head of Clinical Service and Head of Service is required.

General

1. Perform duties in a professional manner, commensurate with academic and technical skills and training.
2. Adhere to laws, regulations, and hospital procedures and policies.
3. Uphold the visions and practices of Woodlands Health.
4. Fulfil continuing medical education requirements.
5. Participate in quality improvement programmes.
6. Perform any other duties as directed by the Head of Clinical Service.