Quality Liaison

Quality Liaison

Mukilteo, WA Lab

The Quality Liaison is responsible for driving Non-Conforming Event (NCE) management and conformance to ZRL Quality checklists and policies for their location, as well as providing coordination for local Document Control. The primary focus is on investigating NCEs and Opportunities for Improvement (OFIs), developing and implementing Corrective/Preventative Actions (CAPAs), and supporting the quality team in driving continuous improvement. This role serves as a subject matter expert in quality systems, supports staff training of quality requirements, tools and initiatives, and collaborates with Lab Operations, Medical, Operations Support, and other supporting department teams.

Additionally, this position will be responsible for project managing the quality assessment activities, participating as an auditor in Quality Assessments, and leading the lab in OFI resolution. The Quality Liaison utilizes the Media Lab web-based Quality Management System platform for daily operations and serves as an administrator for this software. This role is also responsible for compiling and analyzing quality metrics for quality scorecards for their location.

• Oversee and project manage Non-Conforming Event Management for site. Collaborate with local management and subject matter experts to investigate and resolve Quality Improvement Tickets (QITs). Apply structured root cause analysis techniques (such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram, etc.) to accurately identify underlying issues, work with departmental and local leaders to develop and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPAs), and, when appropriate, include Return on Investment (ROI) analysis using the Cost of Poor Quality calculator.
• Conduct periodic comprehensive and weekly focused audits to maintain continuous quality conformance to ZRL checklist requirements for patient safety and assessment readiness. Coordinate onsite audits for location, participate in other ZRL Quality Assessments as required, and project manage and participate in the resolution of findings through Opportunity for Improvement (OFI) QITs.
• Act as the site's Document Control specialist, ensuring all documents are properly managed and compliant, and maintaining an up-to-date local SOP manual for use during system downtime.
• Deliver training to staff on Quality related programs, tools, philosophies and processes. Serve as subject matter expert to answer questions around document control, NCEs, good documentation practices, temperature monitoring, quality assessment program and quality related topics to ensure consistent compliance and excellence.
• Manage the Man Overboard (MoB) program for location by overseeing the Man Overboard program. Coordinate the searches for missing samples using MoB form, ensuring each incident is documented as a Quality Improvement Ticket (QIT) to facilitate tracking through resolution, remediation and corrective action development.
• Generate and communicate local quality metrics to inform Management Review KPI feedback.
• Contribute to other quality improvement projects and fulfill other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Requires an Associate's degree in science or related discipline or equivalent combination of experience and/or education.
• Minimum of two (2) years on the bench in a veterinary or clinical laboratory. Must possess an understanding of most service lines and departments offered by the ZRL network to include accessioning, chemistry, hematology, histology, microbiology, parasitology, urinalysis and cytology.

• Previous experience in laboratory Quality Management.
• Experience with Non-conforming Event Management, Internal Auditing, and/or Document Control.
• Experience with Media Lab.
• MLS/MT/MLS/CLS and/or Relevant ASQ Certification.

• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, Outlook, Word and Powerpoint.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities, and a flexible, adaptable approach to shifting priorities and new challenges.
• Ability to apply established organizational policies to make decisions with minimal supervision.
• Exc…