Clinical Laboratory QA/Compliance Specialist

MedMatch; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

PTO

401(k) with 5% match

Job summary

MedMatch is seeking an experienced Clinical Laboratory QA/Compliance Specialist to lead and strengthen the laboratory quality management system. This role requires extensive knowledge of QA, regulatory compliance, and accreditation standards, with a passion for continuous improvement and patient safety.

The position reports to Laboratory Manager and collaborates with leadership to ensure CLIA, CAP, CLSI compliance while maintaining an inspection-ready lab and driving quality culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Biology, or chemistry.
• Current Louisiana Clinical Laboratory Personnel License, where applicable.
• ASCP MLS/MT or equivalent certification.
• 3–5+ years of clinical laboratory QA, QC or regulatory compliance experience.
• Familiarity with CLIA, CAP, CLSI and state/federal regulations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead CAP inspections, CLIA surveys, proficiency testing, and audits.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, policies, and regulatory documentation.
• Monitor quality indicators, QC trends, and proficiency testing performance.
• Lead CAPA investigations and root-cause analyses with effectiveness monitoring.
• Investigate quality events, nonconformances, and patient complaints; document resolutions.
• Support method validations, instrument verifications, and IQCP development.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related science

Tools

Orchard LIS

MediaLab

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Clinical Laboratory QA/Compliance Specialist to lead and strengthen their laboratory quality management system. This position is ideal for a laboratory professional with extensive knowledge of laboratory quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and accreditation standards who is passionate about continuous improvement and ensuring the highest level of patient care.

Contract Type: Full-Time Direct Hire (W2)

Salary: $65,000-$75,000, based on experience

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Benefits: Medical, dental, life insurance, paid time off (PTO), a 401(k) with a 5% employer match, and other standard employee benefits.

Reporting to the Laboratory Manager, this role partners closely with laboratory leadership to ensure ongoing compliance with CLIA, CAP, CLSI, state, and federal regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of quality throughout the organization.

What You Will Own:

• Maintain and continuously improve Quality Management System (QMS).
• Lead preparation for CAP inspections, CLIA surveys, proficiency testing programs, and internal and external audits.
• Develop, review, update, and maintain laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, validation and verification documentation.
• Monitor laboratory quality indicators, including quality control trends, turnaround times, proficiency testing performance, and quality metrics.
• Lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) investigations, root-cause analyses, and effectiveness monitoring.
• Investigate quality events, nonconformances, patient complaints, and testing errors while ensuring timely documentation and resolution.
• Support method validations, instrument verifications, and Individualized Quality Control Plan (IQCP) development.
• Coordinate proficiency testing enrollment, submission, review, and corrective actions across all laboratory departments.
• Partner with laboratory leadership to support quality-related staff training, competency assessments, and ongoing education.
• Maintain document control systems and ensure the laboratory remains inspection-ready at all times.
• Monitor regulatory changes affecting laboratory operations and communicate recommendations to leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory quality, operational efficiency, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Current Louisiana Clinical Laboratory Personnel License, where applicable.
• ASCP certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Medical Technologist (MT), or equivalent certification.
• 3–5+ years of clinical laboratory experience, with hands‑on responsibility for QA, QC or regulatory compliance.
• Working knowledge of CLIA regulations, CAP Accreditation Program requirements, CLSI guidelines, and applicable state laboratory regulations.
• Experience preparing for laboratory inspections and regulatory audits.
• Strong technical writing skills with experience developing SOPs, policies, validations, and regulatory documentation.
• Demonstrated experience conducting root‑cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Excellent analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

• Experience with Orchard Laboratory Information System (LIS) or similar laboratory information systems.
• Experience with quality management or document control platforms such as MediaLab.
• Familiarity with IQCP development and risk‑based quality planning.
• Experience supporting reference laboratory or multi‑site laboratory operations.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or healthcare quality improvement experience.