Caitlin Miranda
Forest Grove,OR
Summary
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and communicative leadership style.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Quality Assurance and Safety Manager
Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division
12.2023 - Current
- Administers the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) Quality and Safety programs
- Maintains OSPHL compliance with all requirements for accreditation, certification, registration and regulation by independent and governmental agencies
- Develops, writes, revises and implements policies and procedures in alignment with federal and state law as well as laboratory accreditation and regulatory standards
- Evaluates and assesses the quality and effectiveness of OSPHL services and programs and makes recommendations to support continuous quality improvement
- Analyzes policy and operational challenges that affect cross-functional stakeholders and facilitates collaboration to explore creative solutions
- Compiles and quantifies statistical data from lab-wide quality metrics to identify actionable trends
- Formulates long and short term programmatic goals and quality improvement projects
- Coordinates and performs root cause analysis for non-conforming events in collaboration with technical staff to determine and implement corrective action
- Leads interdisciplinary teams to accomplish tasks and projects
- Plans, organizes, and facilitates meetings of the OSPHL Quality Assurance and Safety Committees
- Maintains confidential records of employee job-related immunizations (rabies, hepatitis B, meningococcus), QuantiFERON testing, and serological monitoring (baseline serum, rabies titers, and post exposure tests)
- Manages the OSPHL Respiratory Protection Program and arranges for medical evaluations, fit testing, and annual training for staff
- Member of the Association of Public Health Laboratories Emerging Leader Program, 18th Cohort
Supervisory Laboratorian
Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division
01.2019 - 12.2023
- Led team of 6-8 microbiologists and support staff, directing work assignments and overseeing technical aspects of Oregon State Tuberculosis Program
- Identified program needs, developed method evaluation plans, and implemented procedures designed to address gaps
- Compiled and quantified quality metric data for the tuberculosis program
- Drafted itemized laboratory budget, annual performance report, technical data reports, and work plan summaries for CDC funded Tuberculosis Cooperative Agreement grant
- Guided, coached, and mentored technical staff, assisting with challenging cases to develop and strengthen problem solving and microbiology skills
- Collaborated with hiring manager to recruit and on-board 5 microbiologists to build effective, cohesive team
- Developed and implemented training program designed to support individual learning styles
- Supported grant deliverables reporting, budget preparation, and contract renewal while acting as interim manager of General Microbiology Laboratory for 6 week period
- Established and supported cohesive team-work environment through regular meetings with staff, effective communication, and providing opportunities for collaboration
- Enforced regulatory requirements, emphasizing education and empowerment to engage employees in process
- Reviewed patient and quality assurance results produced by technical staff, correcting errors, and adjusting work practices as necessary to support individual and team success
- Conducted assessments to improve staff safety, resulting in removal of syringes from laboratory and relocation of noxious fume producing procedures to areas without human presence
- Planned, coordinated, and implemented digital system to record quality control values in alignment with agency goals to eliminate paper-based forms
- Authored and managed protocols and technical procedures to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient laboratory testing
- Recognized as emerging leader in TB community; invited to interview on podcast, served on planning committee for APHL National TB Conference two years in row, delivered informational presentations at several cohort and regional meetings
- Protected patient privacy and practiced confidential reporting in alignment with HIPPA standards
- Completed Emerging Manager training in 2023
Laboratorian
Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division
04.2017 - 12.2018
- Isolated, identified, and categorized organisms of public health significance including CRE, Bordetella pertussis, Haemophilus influenza, Neisseria Meningitidis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Assisted with method evaluation for rectal swab CRE screening assay
- Performed PCR to detect common carbapenemases produced by CRE organisms (IMP, VIM, KPC, NDM, and OXA-48)
- Performed PCR to detect Bordetella pertussis, parapertussis, and holmseii species
- Chair of Safety Committee
Microbiologist
PeaceHealth Laboratories
06.2014 - 04.2017
- Evaluated 50-100 cultures per day from human specimens for presence of microorganisms
- Utilized real-time PCR and transcription mediated amplification to identify and quantify microorganisms in human specimens
- Evaluated human DNA for genetic mutations
- Maintained precise documentation of instrument QA/QC including; correlation studies, contamination testing, and regular calibration
- Managed department inventory
- Department liaison for major LIS transition
- Protected patient privacy and practiced confidential reporting in alignment with HIPPA standards
Microbiologist
Southeastern Michigan Health Association
04.2013 - 06.2014
- Analyzed environmental samples for presence of agents of bioterrorism
- Conducted real time PCR using Millipore and ABI (Applied Biosystems)7500 instrumentation
- Completed FEMA emergency response training
Medical Technologist, Microbiology
McLaren Health Care
11.2012 - 04.2013
- Examined physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in patient specimens
- Responsible for examining urine, blood and stool cultures
- Examined fecal samples to properly identify parasites and ova
- Protected patient privacy and practiced confidential reporting in alignment with HIPPA standards
Microbiologist
Memorial Healthcare
05.2012 - 03.2013
- Examined physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in patient specimens
- Responsible for blood, wound, urine, stool, and genital cultures
- Protected patient privacy and practiced confidential reporting in alignment with HIPPA standards
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR06-2008
Skills
- Regulatory compliance and inspection
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Team leadership
- Communication
- Policy evaluation and development
Timeline
Quality Assurance and Safety Manager
Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division
12.2023 - Current
Supervisory Laboratorian
Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division
01.2019 - 12.2023
Laboratorian
Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division
04.2017 - 12.2018
Microbiologist
PeaceHealth Laboratories
06.2014 - 04.2017
Microbiologist
Southeastern Michigan Health Association
04.2013 - 06.2014
Medical Technologist, Microbiology
McLaren Health Care
11.2012 - 04.2013
Microbiologist
Memorial Healthcare
05.2012 - 03.2013
Bachelor of Science - Biology
Oregon State University
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