Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Activities
Additional References
Timeline
Generic

KIMBERLEY VALYAN

Tucker

Summary

To obtain a challenging position with opportunity for longevity and growth. Self-motivated professional with outstanding oral and written communication skills. Highly knowledgeable in Laboratory Operations. Experience conducting quality assurance audits and maintaining Laboratory compliance with all accrediting agencies.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work History

Laboratory Quality Management Specialist

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC
01.2025 - Current

GS-0401-13

Assure implementation and maintenance of quality management system/essentials program and plan; and adherence to applicable guidelines and regulations, such as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other national and international standards/accreditations.

Ensure laboratory quality management requirements such as, standard operating procedures and protocols are in place, maintained, and meet appropriate regulatory requirements.

Conduct periodic internal and external quality audits to include assessment of laboratory data, documenting regulatory compliance and identifying/reporting deficiencies.

Comply with all applicable federal and state safety and health regulations and established agency/organizational safety policies.

Diagnostic Services Quality Assurance Analyst

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
10.2022 - Current
  • Manages the laboratory's quality management system ensuring all laboratory sections follow the most current benchmarks and standards
  • Monitors all laboratory performance indicators, reports findings monthly to laboratory leaderships and stakeholders
  • Identified and provided justifiable, sound options and solutions when issues arose in the Phlebotomy, Hematology, Chemistry and Reference Laboratory Departments
  • Introduces new testing systems and methods to the laboratory by coordinating with points of contact, validating, and correlating to the current laboratory methods
  • Ensures all department staff are trained as necessary
  • Monitors several laboratory quality assurance benchmarks, including but not limited to investigation of laboratory occurrences identifying preanalytical, Analytical and Post Analytical errors
  • Analyzed and compiled data findings into report format
  • Maintains the full laboratory proficiency testing menu ensuring timely completion of all surveys
  • Investigate proficiency testing outages including reporting requested deviations to regional quality compliance consultant
  • Implementation of corrective actions
  • Recognized nonconforming events, reasonably considered all possibilities fueling the problem
  • Debriefed and provided follow-up with laboratory supervisors, scientists, and other staff
  • Identified major regulatory deficiencies and procedures
  • Provided potential solutions to improve quality, workflow, and safety in the laboratory
  • Schedule : M-F 8-4:30PM

Laboratory Supervisor

Laboratory Corporation of America
12.2006 - 10.2022
  • I work as a Laboratory Supervisor/former Manager of the CAP accredited Stat Laboratory and Microbiology laboratory
  • Microbiology closed in 2012, in Tucker GA
  • I am also the laboratory supervisor of a Physician's office laboratory in Griffin, GA, and a Physician's office laboratory in Decatur, GA (closed in 4/2019)
  • I have also performed monthly Patient service Center audits to prepare the centers for inspections by the State of Georgia
  • Assisted in the development and implementation of laboratory safety policies and procedures
  • Supervised daily operations of laboratory personnel, ensuring that all activities were completed according to established protocols
  • Provided technical guidance and support to laboratory staff on a variety of techniques including chromatography, mass spectrometry, microscopy, imaging analysis
  • Monitored laboratory inventory levels for reagents and supplies; ordered additional items as needed
  • Performed advanced analyses such as sample preparation and instrument calibration
  • Managed quality assurance and quality control programs in accordance with regulatory standards
  • Ensured compliance with applicable safety regulations by conducting regular inspections of laboratory equipment and facilities
  • Conducted training sessions for new lab technicians in proper use of equipment, safety protocols
  • Conducted periodic audits to ensure accuracy and completeness of data entry into databases
  • Developed strategies for improving efficiency within the lab environment through process optimization initiatives
  • Established relationships with vendors, suppliers in order to secure competitive pricing on necessary equipment, supplies
  • Generated monthly Quality Control reports
  • Oversaw quality control initiatives to optimize laboratory performance
  • Determined effective schedules by taking into consideration individual employee preferences and overall coverage needs
  • Kept equipment in good working order and facilities clean, neat and organized
  • Schedule: M-F 9-5:30PM

Medical Technologist

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
12.2003 - 06.2009
  • Worked as a technologist in Blood Bank where I performed testing including Crossmatches, blood preparation, manipulation of blood products, quality control, and issuing of tissue and factor products
  • I worked on clinical trials co-sponsored by Emory University hospital
  • Maintained accurate records of patient test results and reported any abnormalities to the physician
  • Conducted quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of testing equipment
  • Reviewed patient history prior to performing tests to determine appropriate testing methods
  • Assisted with training new medical technologists on proper techniques and safety regulations
  • Ensured compliance with all regulatory standards including HIPAA, OSHA and CLIA requirements
  • Monitored inventory levels of supplies, reagents and materials used in the lab environment
  • Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to develop strategies for managing patient care needs
  • Followed strict quality control procedures to deliver accurate test results
  • Documented medical test data and results in patient medical records
  • Maintained safe work environment by wearing personal protective equipment
  • Received and interpreted written requisitions from nursing units for routine or special laboratory tests
  • Set up, cleaned and maintained laboratory equipment
  • Collected and studied blood samples to determine number of cells, morphology or blood group
  • Schedule: T-F 7-5:30PM

Medical Technologist

Women and Children's Hospital
07.1997 - 12.2003
  • Worked as a generalist on the Day and Night Shifts, working in all areas of the laboratory, including Hematology, Blood Bank, Chemistry, and Microbiology where I not only did testing and performed quality control I also performed instrument maintenance on all instruments, and phlebotomy
  • I attended school for the Abbott Celldyne Hematology instrument and became the lead operator on this instrument
  • Performed laboratory tests such as hematology, urinalysis, coagulation and chemistry to detect abnormal conditions in patients
  • Maintained accurate records of patient test results and reported any abnormalities to the physician
  • Conducted quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of testing equipment
  • Calibrated laboratory instruments and prepared reagents according to established protocols
  • Reviewed patient history prior to performing tests to determine appropriate testing methods
  • Assisted with training new medical technologists on proper techniques and safety regulations
  • Ensured compliance with all regulatory standards including HIPAA, OSHA and CLIA requirements
  • Monitored inventory levels of supplies, reagents and materials used in the lab environment
  • Performed routine and complex laboratory tests using variety of techniques, instrumentation and equipment to assist in medical diagnosis and treatment
  • Planned and carried out regular maintenance on equipment by following procedures and manufacturers' guidelines
  • Used microscopes and cell counters to perform assigned tasks
  • Evaluated body fluids and tissue samples to document findings such as normal or abnormal results
  • Maintained safe work environment by wearing personal protective equipment
  • Operated, calibrated or maintained equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis
  • Conducted chemical analysis of blood, urine or spinal fluid to determine presence of normal or abnormal components
  • Determined acceptability of specimens for testing according to established criteria
  • Collected and studied blood samples to determine number of cells, morphology or blood group
  • Cultivated, isolated or assisted in identifying microbial organisms or performing various tests on microorganisms
  • Schedule: M,W,F 7A-7P

Laboratory Supervisor

Internal Medicine Clinic- Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
11.2001 - 07.2003
  • Worked as a Laboratory Supervisor to start a laboratory for thirteen Internal Medicine physicians, supervised four phlebotomists
  • I was responsible for performance evaluation, training and competency assessment of four Phlebotomists
  • I attended school for the Beckman/Coulter CX7 and the Sysmex XE series
  • I was responsible for writing all Laboratory Procedures and preparing the Laboratory for COLA accreditation, and the initial state inspection
  • Assisted in the development and implementation of laboratory safety policies and procedures
  • Supervised daily operations of laboratory personnel, ensuring that all activities were completed according to established protocols
  • Schedule: M-F 8-5PM

Medical Technologist I

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
12.1995 - 04.2001
  • Worked as a generalist on the night shift
  • Performed laboratory tests such as hematology, urinalysis, coagulation and chemistry to detect abnormal conditions in patients
  • Maintained accurate records of patient test results and reported any abnormalities to the physician
  • Conducted quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of testing equipment
  • Calibrated laboratory instruments and prepared reagents according to established protocols
  • Reviewed patient history prior to performing tests to determine appropriate testing methods
  • Provided technical support for other medical staff members regarding laboratory operations
  • Ensured compliance with all regulatory standards including HIPAA, OSHA and CLIA requirements
  • Performed routine and complex laboratory tests using variety of techniques, instrumentation and equipment to assist in medical diagnosis and treatment
  • Followed strict quality control procedures to deliver accurate test results
  • Conducted multiple tests at once using automated equipment and computerized instruments
  • Planned and carried out regular maintenance on equipment by following procedures and manufacturers' guidelines
  • Communicated with physicians to discuss lab test findings, procedures and other relevant information
  • Used microscopes and cell counters to perform assigned tasks
  • Evaluated body fluids and tissue samples to document findings such as normal or abnormal results
  • Maintained safe work environment by wearing personal protective equipment
  • Set up, cleaned and maintained laboratory equipment
  • Operated, calibrated or maintained equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis
  • Entered data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage
  • Collected and studied blood samples to determine number of cells, morphology or blood group
  • Schedule: 7 on, 7 off 8p-6:30am

Education

Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology

McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA
12.1995

Skills

  • LCWS
  • LCLS
  • SIS
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • CLSI certificate in Laboratory Quality Management Systems
  • Ceridian Time Management
  • Mastercontrol Document Management System
  • Peoplesoft
  • Sunquest Laboratory Systems
  • Meditech Laboratory Systems
  • Soft Laboratory Systems
  • Timetracker time keeping system
  • Document Direct System
  • Quality Management System
  • Outlook
  • Media lab
  • Epic Hyperspace
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Workday
  • Documentation and materials
  • QA reporting
  • Improvement Recommendations
  • Group Presentations
  • Best practices and methodologies
  • Quality Assurance
  • Quality Assurance Controls
  • Mentoring and training
  • Quality processes
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Process Implementation
  • Data Analysis
  • Critical thinking abilities

Activities

  • MT(ASCP)
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Additional References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Laboratory Quality Management Specialist

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC
01.2025 - Current

Diagnostic Services Quality Assurance Analyst

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
10.2022 - Current

Laboratory Supervisor

Laboratory Corporation of America
12.2006 - 10.2022

Medical Technologist

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
12.2003 - 06.2009

Laboratory Supervisor

Internal Medicine Clinic- Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
11.2001 - 07.2003

Medical Technologist

Women and Children's Hospital
07.1997 - 12.2003

Medical Technologist I

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
12.1995 - 04.2001

Bachelor of Science - Medical Technology

McNeese State University
KIMBERLEY VALYAN