What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality & Control Specialist position at Gulf Coast Blood?
Position Title: Quality & Control Specialist
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Under supervision of the Quality Control Manager and Assistant Manager, QC Specialist prepares and tests samples from blood components to determine if the products meet established quality control standards. This position also works under the direction of the Technical Manager and Cellular Therapy Lab Specialist in performing all aspects of flow cytometry testing, as well as other testing related to the Advanced Therapies department and laboratory projects. Will lead or assist with projects and validations. Involves critical thinking skills, frequent contact with internal and external customers, good judgment, diplomacy and tact.
Just For You:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk; occasionally required to sit, climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Employees are required to be familiar with and abide by the team lift requirements as specified in the Safety Program in an effort to prevent bodily injury and for the health and safety of others. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to blood and blood components as well as other biohazard materials, moving mechanical parts and extreme cold. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Job duties involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood with a risk of exposure to Hepatitis and HIV.
Travel: None
Schedule: Tue – Sat, 9:00am-5:30pm
Since 1975, Gulf Coast Blood has been one of the nation’s largest community blood centers, serving 170 hospitals across 26 counties. Headquartered in Houston, we support the world’s largest medical complex—the Texas Medical Center—while operating 18 donor centers and hosting more than 7,000 mobile blood drives each year. As an FDA-accredited nonprofit, we provide high-quality human cellular material for both scientific and therapeutic use.
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Think you have what it takes to save lives with us? We want to hear from you.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
Gulf Coast Blood is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants for positions are considered without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, military status, protected veteran status, disability status, genetic testing results, or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable law, statute, regulation or Executive Order.
Join our team of heroes!
Are you seeking daily adventure while advancing your career? Look no further.
Under supervision of the Quality Control Manager and Assistant Manager, QC Specialist prepares and tests samples from blood components to determine if the products meet established quality control standards. This position also works under the direction of the Technical Manager and Cellular Therapy Lab Specialist in performing all aspects of flow cytometry testing, as well as other testing related to the Advanced Therapies department and laboratory projects. Will lead or assist with projects and validations. Involves critical thinking skills, frequent contact with internal and external customers, good judgment, diplomacy and tact.
Just For You:
- Competitive Compensation and Benefits Package
- Texas Medical Center Location with Free Parking
- Education and Career Advancement
- Engaging and Exciting Opportunity to Save Lives
- Embody our Core Values of Commitment, Integrity, and Respect
- Work to actively create experiences that inspire others to save lives, each and every day.
- Embrace doing it right, making connections, and creating desired experiences.
- Comply with all organizational policies and standards, including safety rules, and be willing to report actual and potential violations to the appropriate supervisor or manager.
- Perform all core duties of a QC Technician III at a high level of proficiency and technical expertise.
- Communicate promptly and professionally with internal teams and external customers regarding positive bacterial culture results.
- Initiate product recalls for units associated with positive bacterial findings in accordance with regulatory and organizational procedures.
- Ensure all required follow-up testing for positive bacterial cultures is completed, thoroughly documented, and results are accurately communicated to external clients.
- Review and ensure the completeness and accuracy of Quality Control (QC) documentation.
- Track, trend, and analyze QC data for laboratory testing equipment to ensure ongoing compliance and performance.
- Assist with monitoring and trending departmental goals and production metrics.
- Oversee daily QC Laboratory operations in the absence of supervisory staff to ensure continuity and efficiency.
- Promptly communicate workflow, process, or staffing issues to the Manager or Assistant Manager that may impact timely product or result release or affect the work environment.
- Monitor staff workload and prioritize tasks to optimize laboratory efficiency and resource utilization.
- Proactively assess operational processes to identify opportunities for improvement, ensuring adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and compliance with OSHA, FDA, AABB, cGMPs, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Serve as a lead for new hire onboarding and ongoing staff training, providing guidance, support, and mentorship.
- Conduct and document staff competency assessments in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
- Assist with or lead departmental and organizational projects, including validation activities and process improvements.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- At least three years prior job-related experience or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- MT/MLS or BB (ASCP or equivalent) is preferred
- LANGUAGE SKILLS - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and standard operating procedures. Ability to communicate effectively with staff and clients
- MATHEMATICAL SKILLS - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute percentages and volumes.
- REASONING ABILITY - Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
- OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Must be flexible with working hours and days
- Computer skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Laboratory Information Systems
- Organizational skills, attention to detail, quality, and accuracy
- Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize own work
- Time management skills
- Ability to work independently or collaboratively
- Critical thinking skills
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk; occasionally required to sit, climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Employees are required to be familiar with and abide by the team lift requirements as specified in the Safety Program in an effort to prevent bodily injury and for the health and safety of others. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to blood and blood components as well as other biohazard materials, moving mechanical parts and extreme cold. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Job duties involve an inherent potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood with a risk of exposure to Hepatitis and HIV.
Travel: None
Schedule: Tue – Sat, 9:00am-5:30pm
- Full time: must be regularly available to work at least 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, or such other days or hours per week as are necessary to meet business needs.
- Overtime (applicable only to non-exempt positions) - Must be available and willing to work such overtime per day or per week as is necessary or desirable to meet business needs.
- Weekend and Holidays - Must be available and willing to work such weekends and holidays as are necessary or desirable to meet business needs.
Since 1975, Gulf Coast Blood has been one of the nation’s largest community blood centers, serving 170 hospitals across 26 counties. Headquartered in Houston, we support the world’s largest medical complex—the Texas Medical Center—while operating 18 donor centers and hosting more than 7,000 mobile blood drives each year. As an FDA-accredited nonprofit, we provide high-quality human cellular material for both scientific and therapeutic use.
Some Jobs Change Lives. Others Save Them.
Think you have what it takes to save lives with us? We want to hear from you.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
Gulf Coast Blood is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants for positions are considered without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, military status, protected veteran status, disability status, genetic testing results, or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable law, statute, regulation or Executive Order.