Regional Laboratory Consultant

Open to applicants statewide to support a region to be determined.

This position provides consultation, assessments, and training to an assigned region that includes approximately one-fourth of North Carolina's local health department laboratories. The consultant provides technical assistance in all areas of laboratory management, to include technical procedures, administrative policies, quality assurance, verification of educational requirements of testing personnel, accreditation, and laboratory facility design. The consultant must assess and develop an in-depth understanding of varied situations and problems encountered by local health departments, using this knowledge to implement effective technical and administrative laboratory practices.  This position requires minimal supervision, and serves as a representative of the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health.

This position serves as the federally mandated CLIA Technical Consultant position in specific local health departments within the region. As technical consultant, this position must be available during working hours either in person, by telephone or by electronic transmission.

The responsibilities of this role include:

• Selection of appropriate testing methodology

• Verification of test procedures performed and establishment of performance limits

• Enrollment and participation in HHS-approved proficiency testing (PT) program

• Establishment of a quality control program

• Resolution of technical problems, ensuring that remedial actions are taken and documented

• Ensuring that patient results are not reported in a test system that is not functioning properly

• Identifying training needs for staff

• Evaluating competency of staff by various methods (direct observation, blind samples, review of quality control records, maintenance records, PT records and assessment of problem-solving skills)

• Oversight of a quality assurance program

This position identifies training needs evident during on-site consultations and assists in the development and presentation, as needed, to meet these identified needs.  The training needs encompass a variety of lab related topics, such as technical procedures to include writing them up, management skills and public health laboratory practice.

The position also works closely with four other Technical Consultants based throughout the state to assist local health departments and enable them to maintain local laboratory services.

About the Division of Public Health and the  State Laboratory of Public Heath:

The NC Division of Public Health (DPH) works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina - Everywhere, Everyday, Everybody.

At the State Laboratory of Public Health (SLPH), we provide medical and environmental laboratory services such as testing, consultation, and training, to public and private health provider organizations responsible for the promotion, protection, and assurance of the health of North Carolina citizens. SLPH serves the entire state as a reference laboratory for difficult, unusual, or otherwise unavailable laboratory procedures and assist in the development, evaluation, and standardization of medical and environmental laboratory testing procedures. We provide training and consultation to improve and assure quality services in other laboratories and certify milk and water laboratories and milk analysts. We test for Acanthamoeba to Zika and everything in between! Visit our website at http://slph.ncpublichealth.com to learn more.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health

• 220,000 square feet campus built in 2012

• Plentiful Free Parking

• Easy access to shopping centers, the state art museum, healthcare providers, and highways (70, 40 and 440)

• Break Rooms with Vending Machines, Ice Machines, Coffee Makers, Magazines, and Commercial Grade Microwave Ovens

• Patio Dining with Umbrellas

• Weekly Food Trucks, including Double Food Truck Fridays

• Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly

• Wellness Activities

• Fitness Center with Exercise Equipment and Classes

• Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families

• Monthly and Quarterly Workshop Sessions

• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities

• NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs

• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

• Meet CLIA '88 requirements for Technical Consultant in a moderate complexity laboratory. Candidates must attach a copy of their transcripts to the application or provide an unofficial copy of their transcripts at the time of the interview.

• Experience with good laboratory practice including quality control and quality assurance.

• Knowledge of proficiency testing and personnel competency assessments.

• Knowledge of CLIA and OSHA federal regulations; state and federal laws governing laboratories and public health practice.

• Knowledge of the principles of microbiology, chemistry, hematology, immunology/serology.

• Knowledge of the principles of laboratory management and administration

• Skills in the use of laboratory equipment.

• Excellent communication skills, to effectively present ideas and information both verbally and in written form.

Management Preferences:

• Experience in a public health setting.

• Experience writing laboratory technical procedures and policies.

• Ability to work independently and to have a role in training other employees or clients.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other local, regional, and state personnel.

• Ability to organize the workload without supervision to function independently and prioritize a daily schedule and be versatile in dealing with a wide range of management styles and laboratory operations.

Physical Requirements:

This position spends many hours driving to on-site visits, followed by hours of evaluation, instruction, and consultation.  Occasionally it is necessary to carry materials for workshops/meetings, such as microscopes, boxes of printed materials, and other laboratory equipment, which requires physical effort. This job requires a state of general good health and physical stamina.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for detail.

Bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, biology or chemistry from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a medical or health-related laboratory, environmental laboratory, or other scientific laboratory depending upon area of assignment;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications Must be capable of meeting the Federal CLIA 88 personnel requirements for a technical supervisor in a laboratory performing moderate complexity testing.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence.  Pre-Employment criminal background checks are required for some positions.

Division of Public Health (DPH) main locations, including their grounds, are tobacco-free as outlined in the Tobacco-free Campus Policy. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, "vape products" and all smokeless tobacco products, may not be used in the indicated areas. For more information, please see the policy and FAQ posted here: http://publichealth.nc.gov/employees/

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. You will either receive a call to schedule an interview or an email notifying you when the job has been filled.

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. Applicants will be communicated with via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR, 919-707-5450.

Please refer to the link below for additional information:

https://oshr.nc.gov/work-nc/how-do-i-get-job