Quality Coordinator - Blood Services

ConnectLife helps people help others. As a federally designated, not-for-profit organ procurement organization and community blood bank, we save and enhance lives through organ, eye, tissue, and blood donation. A career with ConnectLife, no matter what job you do, is an opportunity to make a difference in WNY through educating the community, inspiring donation, and connecting lives.

 Quality Coordinator - Blood Services

Job Summary

Performs quality improvement activities by working with Blood Donor Services to assure compliance with local, state, federal and accrediting rules, and standards. Supports the entry and review of electronic donor records for batch release activities. Promotes an environment of continuous quality improvement to assure that the mission and vision statements of ConnectLife are realized to the very best of the organization’s ability.

Location: 4444 Bryant and Stratton Way, Williamsville, NY 14221

Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour, non-exempt, Pay will commensurate with relevant qualifications, skills, and experience.

Status: Full-Time 

Schedule: Monday-Friday, standard office hours: 7-3:30, 7:30-4, 8-4:30, or 8:30-5 pm; occasional holiday or weekend coverage.

Education Requirements:

• High school diploma required. 
• Bachelor’s degree in health or business field preferred. 
• Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) Certificate acquired within 3 years of hire, preferred. 

Experience:

• Quality assurance experience in an OPO environment, blood banking, quality/regulatory affairs, manufacturing and/or process auditing desired. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel required, PowerPoint preferred.
• Must be detail oriented with the ability to remain accurate and think logically while under pressure.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to manage, prioritize, and multi-task.
• Strong reading comprehension skills required with the ability to analyze and manage large amounts of data.
• Experience with project management and working in a collaborative environment strongly preferred.
• Must have a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Required Physical Demands:

• Frequent sitting, walking, and bending.
• Occasional standing, up to 33% of the time.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing up to 25 lbs.
• Occasional reaching forward, lateral, and overhead.
• Continuous receiving detailed information through written, electronic, and oral communication.
• Continuous clarity of vision at near and/or far distances and computer screens.

* The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you need to request accommodation, please speak to the Human Resources Department.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Perform blood donor look back, recall/market withdrawal activities in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements in a timely manner as required. 

1. Assist in data entry, record review of blood donor records, and batch release review as needed.

1. Assist with inspections and audits conducted by New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Plasma Fractionators. 

1. Develop and monitor the performance of Blood Services internal audit program. Act as lead auditor as required. Assess the appropriateness of the department’s corrective actions, including the performance of effectiveness checks.

1. Monitor and review the quality control functions performed by Blood Services. This includes but is not limited to reviewing monthly QC data for accuracy and completeness. Additionally, identify deviations and areas for corrections and improvements. 

1. Monitor ConnectLife’s deviation management system to ensure that events are documented, completed, and closed out as required. Track corrective actions to identify trends and assist in the development of any further necessary actions based on those trends. 

1. Have or develop a thorough understanding of all legislation, accreditation standards and regulatory agencies that affect ConnectLife. Monitor/analyze changes in standards that affect ConnectLife’s operations and make recommendations for internal changes to processes and SOPs.

1. Acts as a quality liaison to Blood Services on quality and process improvement projects including the correction of non-conformances and monitor changes for effectiveness. This includes, leading and/or assisting in PDSA activities, creating, and providing education to associates, and assisting in the creation and maintenance of data related to process improvement. 

1. Participates in organization wide projects and initiatives as needed.

1. Make final review of changes to process and SOPs, forms, and documents to assure compliance with legislation and accreditation standards. Review and approve updated clinical and departmental SOPs, forms and documents as required.

1. Monitor department and organizational database for tracking and trending of performance, as needed. Utilize this information to provide education, process improvement activities and address areas of non-conformance. 

1. Serve on the Quality Council, assist in the preparation of data and meeting minutes, as needed.

1. Define elements needed, training requirements, documentation requirements and resources needed to assist in the implementation of change control. Monitor and report progress toward achieving implementation as outlined in the change control. 

1. Assist in the application for and maintenance of accreditation by professional trade agencies, as needed.

What We Offer:

• Health Insurance
• Employer Sponsored Dental & Vision insurance
• Employer Sponsored Life insurance
• Paid vacation & sick time on an accrual basis beginning on day 1
• 401(k) after one year of service with 3% employer contribution
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Pet insurance
• And more!