Clinical Laboratory Scientist; Quality Assurance; GS

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Quality Assurance) – Tacoma, WA

At Madigan you will practice alongside civilian and military health‑care experts and experience unique professional opportunities. Our staff serves by caring for our military but are not subject to military requirements. We operate within safe staffing standards – giving you time to provide exceptional care.

Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on the Puget Sound, Joint Base Lewis‑McChord (JBLM) is near the city of Lakewood, 10 minutes from Tacoma and 20 minutes from Olympia, the state capitol. The base is surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, from mountains to the deep waters of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. Working for the Department of Defense comes with competitive compensation packages, paid‑time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and a retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan and matching employer contributions.

For more information, visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

This position performs professional clinical laboratory science work for a military medical treatment facility (MTF); developing, implementing, and overseeing policy related to health quality and safety standards for laboratories under governing Federal statutes.

• Quality Assurance and Quality Control Program Execution

  Serves as the Quality Assurance (QA) Clinical Lab Scientist for the Blood Donor Center. Responsible for the independent development, execution, and maintenance of quality assurance and quality control systems governing donor eligibility determination, blood collection, testing, component preparation, storage, labeling, distribution, and transfusion support. Ensures compliance with FDA regulations, DoW and command policy, AABB, CAP, CLIP, Joint Commission, and other regulatory and accrediting agency requirements.
  
  Plans, develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive QA/QC program for blood donor center operations, designing quality control procedures, selecting control materials, and monitoring performance data.

• Validation, Proficiency Testing, and Surveillance

  Validates test systems, equipment, and processes to ensure accurate and reliable results. Coordinates and evaluates participation in external proficiency testing programs relevant to donor testing and transfusion services. Investigates unsatisfactory proficiency testing results, documents findings, and implements corrective actions. Maintains surveillance systems to monitor variables affecting the quality and reliability of laboratory and donor testing services.

• Audits, Assessments, and Corrective Actions

  Conducts internal audits and quality reviews of donor center operations, records, and procedures. Identifies deficiencies, non‑conformances, and adverse events. Performs root‑cause analysis and develops, implements, and monitors corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans. Prepares audit reports and QA documentation detailing findings and recommended actions.

• Documentation, Recordkeeping, and Information Systems

  Establishes, maintains, and evaluates QA‑related recordkeeping systems to ensure data integrity, traceability, and regulatory compliance, including both manual and computerized laboratory information systems. Ensures accurate accession, documentation, reporting, and retention of donor and blood product records. Maintains QA documentation, SOP indexes, validation records, audit files, and proficiency testing records.

• Regulatory Support, Consultation, and Training

  Serves as the primary QA technical liaison during regulatory inspections and audits. Provides documentation, explains QA/QC processes, and prepares draft responses to inspection findings in coordination with laboratory leadership. Provides technical consultation, guidance, and training to medical technologists, technicians, nurses, physicians, and other staff on QA principles, regulatory requirements, and best practices in blood donor operations. Represents the Blood Donor Center on quality management, utilization review, and performance improvement committees.

Performs other duties as assigned.

US Citizenship…