COLA is currently accepting resumes for Surveyors located in Tampa, Florida, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dallas, Texas. This position requires extensive travel.
Additionally, experience in Histology technical processes and/or frozen section management is a plus
Position Summary
The Surveyor conducts an educational, non-threatening, cost-effective survey of COLA laboratories to evaluate that the high standards necessary for quality patient care and COLA Accreditation are met.
Essential Functions
- Maintain a positive attitude in all interactions with customers (external and internal)
- Maintain awareness of current COLA policies, philosophies, products and activities to provide quality service and support to all customers (external and internal)
- Maintain awareness of current technological and regulatory developments pertinent to COLA participants
- Cooperate with staff of other regulatory agencies when conducting simultaneous surveys
- Represent COLA by participating in seminars, conferences, and volunteering to do speaking engagements
- Schedule laboratories for survey and book travel considering economy and efficiency. All travel requests must be submitted electronically according to established timeframes.
- Contact lab prior to survey to minimize cancellations. Document all correspondence with laboratory.
- Perform routine surveys, resurveys, interim, and complaint surveys in accordance with division policies and procedures
- Examine the records and practices of COLA laboratories for compliance with COLA standards. Verify that records and practices are consistent with the information provided to COLA by the laboratory.
- Document an objective evaluation of each laboratory on the laptop computer and transmit this information to headquarters within five business days of completing the survey
- Demonstrate accurate and consistent interpretation of COLA standards
- Demonstrate effective time management while conducting a thorough survey, with a minimal negative impact on the daily operation of the laboratory
- Identify Risk of Harm situations, contact the Surveyors Team Leader to discuss situation while in the laboratory. Collect documentation to support ROH (Risk of Harm) allegation. Transmit survey results and documentation to HQ ASAP (no later than 24 hours).
- Provide guidance to all COLA participating laboratories through recommendations and educational support tailored to the individual laboratory being surveyed
- Demonstrate effective communication skills for sharing technical and non-technical information with COLA laboratories and COLA staff
- Prepare presentations about COLA or current laboratory issues or technologies. Act as a presenter for COLA staff training, COLA sponsored speaking engagements, conferences, and/or workshops.
- Actively participate in improving COLA's accreditation process by making suggestions for improvement
- Participate in the technical review of COLA materials or assist in the development of new COLA materials and programs
- Maintain awareness of specific state issues and regulations
- Assist COLA to stay current with new developments in your region
- Communicate with Surveys Team Manager/Leader for complaint/interim/resurvey assignments. Schedule monthly tours prior to the date specified.
- Represent COLA in a professional and consistent manner, dressing and acting accordingly
Work Environment/Telework Options
This position is conducted virtually. Employees are specifically hired for a geographic area and must notify COLA if they are considering moving.
Travel Expectations: This position is a traveling position. Employees should expect to be on the road the majority of the year. as they will be surveying COLA laboratories throughout the US.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
- Six years experience as a Laboratory Technologist
- Experience as a laboratory generalist (to be able to inspect all types of laboratories conducting testing in any specialties COLA accredits)
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively
- Bachelors degree in Laboratory Science plus 6 years clinical laboratory experience OR
- Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technologist by ASCP plus 6 years clinical laboratory experience, OR
- Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician by ASCP, HEW or AMT plus 10 years clinical laboratory experience
- NOTE: To be eligible to be hired for the state of California candidates MUST have a Bachelors degree in Medical Technology
- Preferred: Experience acting as a liaison between physicians and other health professions
- Preferred: Experience providing educational and training activities
- Preferred: Previous experience in the operation and instrumentation of a POL
- Preferred: Experience preparing for or conducting on-site inspections of clinical laboratories
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of COLA to provide equal opportunity to all employees and all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, U.S. military veteran status, political affiliations or any other characteristic protected by law.