Quality Assurance Specialist – The Polyclinic – Seattle, WA

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here’s your opportunity. We’re going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. 

Optum’s Pacific West region is redefining health care with a focus on health equity, affordability, quality, and convenience. From California, to Oregon and Washington, we are focused on helping more than 2.5 million patients live healthier lives and helping the health system work better for everyone. At Optum Pacific West, we care. We care for our team members, our patients, and our communities. Join our culture of caring and make a positive and lasting impact on health care for millions. 

The Laboratory Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for ensuring accuracy, reliability, and regulatory compliance within laboratory processes. This role involves conducting audits, developing action plans, and implementing comprehensive quality assurance programs across the organization. The specialist performs meticulous quality control testing, monitors instrument performance, and collaborates with laboratory personnel to optimize procedures. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are essential for identifying areas of improvement and driving continuous enhancement. Effective communication and training ensure adherence to quality standards across the organization. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Implement and maintain quality assurance and quality control programs to ensure compliance with regulatory standards, including the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), Washington Department of Health (DOH), and other applicable guidelines
• Conduct audits and assessments of laboratory processes, procedures, and documentation to identify areas for improvement and ensure adherence to quality standards across the organization
• Conduct site visits to various laboratory locations for audits, assessments, and quality assurance evaluations
• Develop and revise standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Perform quality control testing and monitor the performance of laboratory instruments and equipment
• Collaborate with laboratory personnel to provide guidance on quality assurance protocols, ensuring understanding and adherence to established procedures
• Investigate and resolve quality-related issues, including non-conformities and deviations, and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Develop and deliver training programs to educate laboratory staff on quality assurance principles, practices, and procedures
• Collaborate in the preparation of comprehensive QA reports for the clinic, utilizing a range of laboratory and clinic information systems and software
• Provide support during operational changes, ensuring smooth transitions and effective adaptation
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of annual competency assessments for personnel, in accordance with the requirements set forth by CAP, CLIA, and DOH. Offer individual performance feedback to Laboratory leadership as needed
• Stay updated on industry trends, advancements, and changes in regulatory requirements, and implement necessary updates to ensure continuous improvement
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of quality assurance activities, including audit findings, corrective actions, and quality control results
• Participate in proficiency testing and external quality assessment programs to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results
• Serve as a bench technologist, as necessary, supporting laboratory operations

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology
• Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by a nationally recognized agency (e.g., ASCP, AMT, AAB)
• 4+ years of laboratory training or experience, including 1+ years in a high complexity testing laboratory

Preferred Qualifications:

• A background in lean methodologies, project management, or process improvement
• Proven capability of managing multiple tasks and prioritizing responsibilities effectively
• Proven solid organizational skills are essential for maintaining comprehensive QA programs, managing documentation, and ensuring timely completion of annual competency assessments
• Proven professionalism, integrity, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment are crucial for fostering a positive work culture and building solid working relationships with colleagues, physicians, and patients

Washington Residents Only: The hourly range for Washington residents is $28.03 to $54.95 per hour. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. 

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes – an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.   

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.