Director Of Public Health Laboratory

Summary

This recruitment was revised on June 25, 2024

Full time/Part Time Public Health Laboratory Director working in the Public Health Laboratory for Butte County housed in the Emergency Preparedness and Infectious Disease Control Division.

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FLSA: Exempt

DEFINITION

Under direction, plans, organizes and directs the Public Health Department's Laboratory; studies characteristics of micro-organisms and disease vectors, analyzes test results and trends, assures the quality of the tests and technical protocols, and reports findings; and other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from Director of Public Health or designee. Exercises direction over supervisory, professional, technical and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating a comprehensive range of duties to ensure Public Health Laboratory operations. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include developing and implementing policies and procedures, budget administration and reporting, and program evaluation. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Essential Job Functions

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typicalfunctions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with state and federal clinical laboratory laws and regulations, and county policies and procedures; assures the quality and accuracy of the laboratory tests and technical protocols.

• Plans, assigns, train, and direct the work of microbiologists and other laboratory personnel.

• Reviews and verifies difficult tests and analyses.

• Evaluates existing testing procedures and develops improved techniques.

• Performs microbiologist duties, as required.

• Monitors operations and procedures; evaluates laboratory issues and recommends and implements solutions; develops recommendations for improving the department's operations and processes.

• Develops systems and standards for program evaluation, and assures departmental activities are in compliance with all laws, policies, regulations and goals.

• Determines absence or presence of disease threat, and the nature of any abnormal conditions.

• Analyzes multivariate and cluster trends in laboratory results, and reports findings and anomalies.

• Reviews county and regional disease trends; researches and interprets laws, regulations and general information; identifies policy, procedural and compliance issues, and defines solutions.

• Maintains the microbiology laboratory license by adhering to Federal CLIA standards and Department of Health & Human Services regulations, and quarterly proficiency diagnostic testing.

• Ensure that the laboratory is enrolled in approved proficiency testing programs for the testing performed, that the proficiency testing samples are tested as required, that the results are returned within the time frames established by the proficiency testing program, and that all proficiency testing reports are reviewed by the appropriate staff to evaluate the laboratory's performance and to identify any problems that require corrective action; ensures an approved corrective action plan is promptly developed and followed when any proficiency testing result is found to be unacceptable or unsatisfactory, or when a deficiency is noted by the staff of the California Department of Health Services, with notification of such plan to the Public Health Director; ensures that the quality control and quality assurance programs are established and maintained to assure the quality of laboratory services provided and to identify failures in quality as they occur.

• Identify potential funding sources and prepares proposals for contracts, and grants; oversees selection of laboratory services and recommends laboratory fees in consultation with the Public Health Director; administers laboratory contracts and laboratory budgets.

• Coordinates laboratory activities with federal, state and local organizations; participates in local and statewide meetings and advisory committees to exchange information and provide technical advice.

• Validates microbiology test methods; monitors and validates the calibration of microbiology instruments; monitors and tests laboratory environment.

• Serves as a resource and technical authority to local physicians, clinical and hospital personnel.

• Prepare written reports of investigations conducted.

• Coordinates with other county departments, outside organizations and advocates, and federal, state and local law enforcement and justice agencies.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• County, state and federal statutes, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations.

• County and department policies and procedures.

• Occupational safety and health regulations for a microbiology laboratory.

• Qualitative microbiology techniques, with laboratory and technical equipment.

• Trends in public health laboratories, and legal and professional rules of conduct.

• Principles, practices, and trends in public administration, leadership, and management.

• Techniques and practices for effective and efficient management of allocated resources.

• Microbiological test method development and validation, sampling methods, automated identification and quality control systems.

• Scientific and standard computer applications and programs.

• Principles and practices of file and records management, and laboratory documentation procedures.

• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.

• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Research, analyze and evaluate new methods, procedures and techniques.

• Respond to inquiries from management, medical community and regulatory agencies.

• Ensure that the physical plant and environmental conditions of the laboratory are appropriate for the testing performed.

• Ensure that test methodologies selected have the capability of providing the quality of results required for patient care

• Ensure that verification procedures used are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision, and other pertinent performance characteristics of the method

• Oversee inventory control and preventive maintenance.

• Perform data collection and analysis, and mathematical and statistical calculations.

• Understand, interpret and apply relevant county, state and federal statutes, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations.

• Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands.

• Analyze situations accurately and taking effective action.

• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.

• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.

• Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, other county employees and representatives from other county, state and federal agencies.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training, experience and educational degrees that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Substitutions will be made on a year for year basis. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Meet laboratory director qualifications as per regulation 42 CFR § 493.1443: 42 CFR § 493.1443

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver's license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver's license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

• Possession of a current license as a laboratory director issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Laboratory Field Service (LFS).

• Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Laboratory Field Service (LFS), or a letter from CDPH LFS stating that applicant passed the PHM exam.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• May be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds.

• May be exposed to potential physical harm from hazardous chemicals, infectious diseases, blood-borne pathogens, toxic materials, toxic gases, electrical hazards, dangerous tools and equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a laboratory environment, full manual dexterity and visual acuity required.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment.

• Special equipment includes incubator, autoclave, vortexes, centrifuge, Biosafety cabinet , and other laboratory equipment and tools.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.