Clinical Laboratory Surveyor (Compliance Specialist 3) – Hillsboro, OR (Hybrid)

Initial Posting Date:

11/14/2024

Application Deadline:

12/01/2024

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$5,483 - $8,416

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Clinical Laboratory Surveyor (Compliance Specialist 3) – Hillsboro, OR (Hybrid)

Job Description:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division (PHD), Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OPSHL) in Hillsboro, Oregon has a career opportunity for a Clinical Laboratory Surveyor (Compliance Specialist 3). The Clinical Laboratory Surveyor will perform surveys of laboratories performing diagnostic testing on human specimens and provide regulatory oversight of non-medical substance of abuse testing and health screen permit testing.   

This is a full-time, permanent, classified position and is represented by a union, SEIU Human Services.

What will you do?

As the Clinical Laboratory Surveyor, you will assist in the administration of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program for the Laboratory Compliance team in the Regulatory Section of the OSPHL. You’ll work independently to schedule and perform routine CLIA compliance surveys and investigate complaints against clinical, drug testing, and health screening testing laboratories throughout Oregon. During surveys of clinical laboratory testing facilities, you will determine if there are deficient practices and if deficiencies are found, make decisions on the severity of cited deficiencies. For deficiencies which pose an immediate threat to patient care, you will work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to take action that may include the laboratory having to cease testing until compliance can be assured. After citations have been communicated to the laboratory, you will determine if the laboratory’s proposed plan of correction is adequate and appropriate to correct the cited deficiencies.

What we are looking for:
Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in chemical science, biological science, medical technology, or a related field AND four years of laboratory training and experience in performing high complexity testing, and compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action or decide compliance or eligibility with program guidelines and regulations.

OR

A master’s degree in chemical science, biological science, medical technology, or a related field AND two years of laboratory training and experience in performing high complexity testing and compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action or decide compliance or eligibility with program guidelines and regulations.

Desired Attributes:

• Possess considerable knowledge in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS or MLS) and stay technically current in all areas pertaining to clinical laboratory testing and extensive knowledge of state/federal laboratory regulations.
• Meet CMS requirements for clinical laboratory surveyor (bachelor’s or master’s degree in a chemical or biological science, or medical technology).
• Qualify as a technical supervisor under CLIA with clinical laboratory experience in all specialties except Blood Blank and Pathology. 
• ASCP or AMT certification is preferred.
• Familiar with potential biological and chemical threats agents.
• Experience surveying, evaluating, interpreting, and applying complex regulations independently to decide on the appropriate level of citation.
• Experience writing deficiency citations in a clear and concise manner, describing the findings in enough detail to indicate how regulations are not met and the deficiencies are clear to a judge in a court of law.
• Experience creating, promoting, welcoming, and maintaining a culturally competent and diverse work environment.

What's in it for you?

The Public Health Division is a team of passionate individuals working to promote health across the lifespan of individuals, families, and communities. We value and support unique perspectives using a trauma-informed approach and aim to reflect these values in our hiring practices, professional development, and workplace. We are committed to racial equity as a driving factor to improve health outcomes for all communities that experience inequities.

• We offer exceptional medical, vision and dental benefit packages for you and your qualified family members with minimal out-of-pocket costs (member cost share is as low as 1% - 5%). Try this free virtual benefits counselor by clicking here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pebb/pages/alex.aspx 
• Paid Leave Days:
  • 11 paid holidays each year.
  • 3 additional paid personal business days each year.
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave accrued each month.
  • 8 hours of vacation leave accrued each month with increases every 5 years.
• Pension and Retirement plans. After six months of service, you may qualify for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). New employees may be enrolled in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Student Loan Forgiveness; Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity. The PSLF program may forgive student loan balances after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments. 
• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities.

The Oregon Health Authority is committed to: 

• Eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030
• Becoming an anti-racist organization
• Developing and promoting culturally and linguistically appropriate programs, and
• Developing and retaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce that represents the diversity, cultures, strengths, and values of the people of Oregon.

Working Conditions:

Acceptable working conditions support a hybrid schedule with both in office and remote work. The work may be conducted remotely up to two days each week with full access to the needed operating systems and technology. At least three days each week the work will need to be conducted onsite. When on-site work is required, the position is located at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, 7202 NE Evergreen Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR 97124. After trial service has completed, the position may be evaluated for fully remote work at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Must have a valid driver’s license.  Extensive statewide travel is required, approximately 15 weeks per year, by car, usually alone and frequently overnight. May require out-of-state travel 1-2 times per year by plane.

Directions to Apply:

• Complete the online application and questionnaire.
• Upload a current resume that demonstrates how your personal (lived), educational, and professional experience qualify you for this position.
• Upload a cover letter that addresses the points listed under the section titled “What we are looking for”.

Please ensure you have provided thorough and updated application materials as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.

External Applicants: Click on the “Apply” link and submit your application. View this video for assistance.

Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account through the Jobs Hub worklet. View this job aid for assistance.

This recruitment may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill current or future vacancies.

Helpful Tips/Resources:

• This posting closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.
• Workday may timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity.
• After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.
• Workday performs best in Google Chrome.
• Oregon Health Authority Website
• Oregon Health Authority Programs and Divisions
• Career Resources
• Applicant Help and Support

Additional Information:

• The salary listed is at the non-PERS rate. Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) eligible employees will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay the 6% employee contribution to PERS. If you are not yet PERS eligible, the 6.95% pay increase and employee contribution will be effective upon PERS eligibility.
• Veterans: If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. Click here for more information about veterans’ preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, we will ask you for your documents later in the process.
• Visa Sponsorship: Oregon Health Authority (OHA) does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OHA is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
• Background Check: If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check. The information will be shared with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.

Have Questions or Need Help?
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Aimee Buchholz at aimee.d.buchholz2@oha.oregon.gov. TTY users may dial 711 or 1-800-735-2900. For Workday technical support, please call toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other protected class under state or federal law. In addition, we do not discriminate, or screen applicants based on current or past compensation. To learn more about OHA’s mission, vision, and core values, click here.

The Oregon Health Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity and anti-racism.