JOB TITLE: LABORATORY SYSTEM QUALITY SPECIALIST

JOB CODE: 72072

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional work in the administration of the quality assurance program for the laboratory system of a state agency.

An employee in this job performs quality assurance duties to support the laboratory system’s compliance with departmental, state, and federal policies, practices, and procedures and applicable accreditation requirements. Work involves developing, implementing, and monitoring laboratory operating and quality assurance policies, practices, and procedures; conducting quality assurance audits; administering proficiency testing; recommending corrective action plans; and preparing comprehensive reports for accreditation compliance purposes. Work may also involve developing and conducting training of new laboratory staff, serving as the technical coordinator for a significant forensic science discipline, and administering laboratory safety programs. Work is performed independently and is reviewed by an administrative supervisor through reports and conferences for effectiveness of results achieved and adherence to departmental policies and accreditation requirements.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Develops and revises policies and procedures used in the administration of the laboratory system’s quality assurance and safety programs.

• Develops, reviews, revises, and implements technical programs by establishing policies and procedures for examination techniques, analytical reports, chain of custody, and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation.

• Evaluates new analytical techniques and equipment and recommends whether such should be adopted into laboratory use.

• Evaluates new accreditation standards and determines methods to ensure laboratory system compliance.

• Conducts quality assurance audits by visiting statewide laboratories; inspecting facilities, operations, and completed casework or test results for compliance with departmental policies and accreditation requirements; documenting findings and deficiencies; and recommending corrective actions.

• Coordinates or participates in proficiency testing by procuring or preparing tests, establishing and maintaining a testing schedule, evaluating and reporting results, and recommending corrective actions.

• Develops and revises instructional methods, materials, and techniques for the standardized training of new forensic scientists, chemists, microbiologists, or quality assurance auditors.

• Delivers training to new staff through discussion of departmental policies, procedures, and practices; demonstration of analytical techniques; and application of practical exercises.

• Prepares detailed reports documenting the laboratory system’s quality assurance programs and degree of compliance with departmental policies and accreditation standards.

• Functions as the technical expert for a statewide forensic science discipline such as drug identification, serology, or toxicology by recommending policy associated with the discipline, coordinating information, providing functional guidance and interpretation to laboratory staff and management, and testifying in court proceedings.

• Develops and administers a laboratory-wide safety program that includes inspection of operations and facilities and identification and resolution of safety concerns.

• Participates in the performance of professional laboratory work consistent with operational or organizational requirements and to maintain technical proficiency.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of quantitative and qualitative biochemical and chemical analysis.

• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and materials.

• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in the analysis and comparison of organic and inorganic material.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of laboratory quality assurance monitoring and assessment.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of laboratory safety.

• Ability to organize information and prepare reports of analysis and findings.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written information and scientific data, compare against established requirements, and identify potential discrepancies.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be evaluated by the State Civil Service Commission or used for Civil Service examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.):

• Knowledge of agency accreditation programs.

• Ability to develop, revise, and implement laboratory quality assurance programs.

• Ability to conduct and report quality assurance audits and reviews to determine compliance status and recommend corrective action plans.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Two years as a Forensic Scientist 2;

or

• Two years as a Forensic DNA Scientist 2;

or

• Four years of professional laboratory experience analyzing chemical, physical, or biological substances or materials and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, microbiology, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry or microbiology.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Certain positions require that two of the four years of professional laboratory work experience involve a specific scientific discipline.

• Certain positions require possession of an active PA non-commercial Class C driver’s license or equivalent.

• Certain positions require that the bachelor’s degree includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry.

• Certain positions require that the bachelor’s degree includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry and three credits each in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry and three credits in population genetics or statistics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis or Pennsylvania State Police Certification of Training in statistics or population genetics.