Technical Specialist PT LAP

College of American Pathologists (CAP); Winnetka (IL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) seeks a seasoned professional to monitor proficiency testing programs and support CAP Accreditation Programs through technical interpretation, consultation, and compliance services.

You will work with the Continuous Compliance Committee, prepare documentation for inspections, and provide education materials to laboratories, ensuring regulatory requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a multifaceted laboratory, quality assurance, or regulatory healthcare environment.
• Experience with proficiency testing requirements and regulations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide interpretation and direction to pathologists, laboratory directors, healthcare personnel, and manufacturers on proficiency testing requirements and other related accreditation requirements for all testing.
• Analyze proficiency testing exception responses and documents from laboratories for adequacy and determination of further actions.
• Proactively communicate with laboratory personnel to prevent recurrent failures.
• Coordinate all activities related to a non‑routine inspection for cease testing directives for critical regulated analytes when laboratories opt for this option.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Decision making

Customer service

Team player

Organize and prioritize

Critical thinking

Education

Baccalaureate degree

MT/MLT (ASCP) or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Who we are?

As the world's largest organization of board‑certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide.

Our Culture

• CAP employees make a meaningful difference by partnering with colleagues, customers and members on challenging and rewarding work.
• CAP provides its employees with an energetic and collaborative work environment and encourages opportunities to further develop their skills—offering reimbursement for educational programs and participation in events that enhance your skills.
• We offer a generous compensation and benefits package, 401K, and more. Visit Careers at the CAP for more details.

Brief Description

• Monitoring the technical program content and departmental projects to meet the needs of the CAP Accreditation Programs customers and support CAP objectives.
• Communication and consultation services for a broad constituency, internally and externally.
• Providing technical and consultative services to internal and external customers related to proficiency testing requirements of the CAP’s Accreditation Programs.
• Management and maintenance of alternative proficiency testing providers.
• Working independently using good decision‑making skills on a daily basis.

Specific Duties

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide interpretation and direction to pathologists, laboratory directors, healthcare personnel, and manufacturers on proficiency testing requirements and other related accreditation requirements for all testing.
• Analyze proficiency testing exception responses and documents from laboratories for adequacy and determination of further actions.
• Proactively communicate with laboratory personnel to prevent recurrent failures.
• Work with assigned member of Continuous Compliance Committee (CCC) on cease testing directives including:
  • Ensure laboratory has thoroughly investigated the cause of the cease testing.
  • Ensure the laboratory has completed all required actions to resume testing including performance of reinstatement PT.
  • Prepare documentation to present to the CCC member to determine if laboratory can resume testing.
  • For CLIA regulated analytes, ensure all regulatory requirements have been met before resume testing is granted.
  • Coordinate all activities related to a non‑routine inspection for cease testing directives for critical regulated analytes when laboratories opt for this option.
• Present laboratories to the Accreditation Committee (AC) that meet referral criteria for cease testing directives. Provide technical expertise to the CCC and other LAP staff on the issues related to proficiency testing requirements and other regulations related to PT compliance.
• Ensure accredited laboratory activity menus correlate with the laboratory’s required proficiency testing enrollment.
• Provide support to the CCC including meeting minutes, fulfilling special request, development of educational and presentation materials, and applying sanctions to laboratories with repeat unsuccessful performance in proficiency testing.
• Assist or facilitate review of CAP‑accepted PT providers, including:
  • Initial applications
  • Annual renewal materials
  • Audit materials
  • Ongoing monitoring of compliance with criteria and troubleshooting customer issues.
• Provide technical assistance to PT Operations staff.
• Provide consultative services to staff in LAP, Proficiency Testing, International Business Strategy, and Contact Center regarding LAP PT requirements including but not limited to written and verbal responses to escalated issues.
• Develop and maintain tools for use by laboratories in investigation of PT failures including evaluating alternative assessment.
• Develop and maintain training materials and procedures for PT Monitoring area.
• Participate on cross‑divisional teams as assigned.
• Work with PT Monitoring staff to identify and institute process improvement initiatives and projects.
• Provide support to system upgrades through user testing activities and assessment.
• Maintain technical expertise and knowledge by attending local committee meetings, conferences and other continuing educational events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge / Skills

Required / Preferred Personal

• Well‑developed verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Good decision‑making skills.
• Good customer service skills.
• Positive attitude/team player.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively.
• Critical thinking and troubleshooting skills.

Professional

• Basic knowledge of PT and regulatory requirements related to the CAP Accreditation Programs.
• Basic operational and technical understanding of PT products (for CAP and CAP accepted programs), the CAP Accreditation, and educational programs in order to advise and ensure customers are in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Technical

• Computer savvy.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.
• Statistical experience is desirable.

Education / Experience

• Baccalaureate degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a multifaceted laboratory, quality assurance, or regulatory healthcare environment.
• Experience with proficiency testing requirements and regulations is preferred.

Related Certifications

• MT/MLT (ASCP) or equivalent required.

Additional Information

• Candidates must reside within 75‑miles of the Northfield, IL office and meet in‑office requirements.
• Salary: $77,000 – $96,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The CAP is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, ancestry, disability or genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, order of protection status, homelessness, or any other characteristic protected by federal law and the applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Family and Medical Leave Act, Equal Employment Opportunity, Employee Polygraph Protection Act.