Associate Director of Science (Microbiology)

Quest Diagnostics•Chantilly, VA

2d•$130,000 - $160,000

About The Position

The Associate Director of Science (Microbiology) directs, plans, and manages the scientific and medical quality of the technical department. The role works with scientists and medical laboratory scientists to develop and optimize clinical assays, and provides expert advice to management and technical personnel on development technologies and activities. The position is accountable for the quality and timeliness of projects involving the role holder or colleagues. The Associate Director is responsible for test method selection and validation; oversight of proficiency testing, quality control, assay performance, and regulatory compliance; and review of corrective and preventive action plans and standard operating procedures. The role provides clinical consultation and assay-data discussions to laboratory clients, ensures test results contain relevant interpretive information, oversees department safety procedures, and maintains communication within and across departments. The role directs ongoing research and development of new assays and troubleshooting or improvement of existing assays. It may also support sales and marketing objectives, help identify clients and services, serve as a liaison between laboratory clients and sales and marketing, contribute technical materials and lectures, represent Quest Diagnostics in the scientific community, and teach pathology residents and medical technologists or students in training. Most duties are performed at a desk, with occasional work in a laboratory that may involve equipment operation, manual dexterity, visual acuity, and safe handling of chemicals. The role requires strong written and oral English communication, the ability to analyze technical and business information, statistical and mathematical skills relevant to quality control, and sound analytical reasoning.

Requirements

M.D., D.O., or D.D.S. degree, or an earned doctoral degree such as a Ph.D. or Sc.D. in a relevant chemical, physical, or biological science major from an accredited institution.
Typically at least 2 years of work experience, inclusive of postdoctoral fellowship.
Excellent command of English language and grammar, with demonstrated written and oral communication proficiency.
Ability to understand and critically analyze product-development documents, business presentations, business periodicals, technical journals, and applicable governmental regulations.
Ability to write clear, concise reports and business correspondence and effectively present information and respond to inquiries or complaints.
Ability to compute basic statistical measures associated with quality control and work with probability, statistical inference, linear algebra, and curve fitting sufficiently to guide staff and assess departmental work.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, analyze business and technical information, assess data limitations and assumptions, and critically evaluate data and conclusions generated by others.

Nice To Haves

ABMM certification or eligibility.

Responsibilities

Direct, plan, and manage the scientific and medical quality of the technical department.
Work with scientists and medical laboratory scientists to develop and optimize clinical assays.
Advise management and technical personnel on development technologies and activities, and ensure the quality and timeliness of projects.
Select and validate test methods.
Ensure proficiency testing is conducted on time, reviewed by appropriate staff, and followed by approved corrective action when results are unsatisfactory.
Monitor quality control and analytical performance, and ensure patient results are reported only when test systems are functioning properly.
Work with clinical laboratory operations staff to ensure assays perform as expected and laboratory practices meet CLIA, CAP, and state regulatory requirements.
Review corrective and preventive action plans and procedures, and routinely review standard operating procedures for test systems.
Discuss assay data with clients and provide clinical consultation.
Ensure test results include pertinent interpretive information and communicate result-quality and interpretation matters in relation to patient conditions.
Ensure department safety procedures are defined and enforced; review safety procedure updates and revisions.
Ensure compliance with quality and accuracy policies for reporting test results and maintain intra- and interdepartmental communications.
Ensure departments comply with applicable local, state, and federal licensing regulations.
Participate in continuous improvement using LeanThinking.
Direct ongoing research and development of new assays and troubleshooting or improvements to current assays.
As needed, help formulate and coordinate sales and marketing objectives and programs, identify new clients and services, and liaise between laboratory clients and sales and marketing.
Assist Sales and Marketing by writing technical brochures and, as required, lecturing to clients and sales representatives.
Represent Quest Diagnostics in the scientific community through services, publications, and presentations.
Teach didactics to pathology residents and medical technologists or students in training.

Benefits

Medical, supplemental health, dental, and vision coverage for full-time employees working 30 or more hours, beginning on day one.
Well-being programs.
Annual no-cost Blueprint for Wellness health assessment.
healthyMINDS mental health program.
Vacation and health/flex time.
Six holidays plus one MyDay off.
FinFit financial coaching and services.
401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service.
Employee stock purchase plan.
Life and disability insurance, with buy-up option.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Annual incentive plans.
Matching gifts program.
Education assistance through MyQuest for Education.
Career advancement opportunities.