LABORATORY RESPONSE COORDINATOR, Public Health

Summary

• Coordinates the overall laboratory preparedness and response to biological threat agents within Tarrant County and Thirty-two (32) additional counties in the North Texas Region.
• Facilitates a competent, well-trained laboratory workforce to handle, process, and rule-out bioterrorism agents within the jurisdiction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Establishes contact with all Sentinel labs within this jurisdiction and maintains contact by periodically sending updated information about lab preparedness and response to bioterrorism.
2. Provides training, technical assistance, and assessment of competency/proficiency for rule-out procedures in bioterrorism agent testing. Evaluates the results of these procedures, coordinates corrective action when indicated, and maintains appropriate documentation for all regulatory requirements.
3. Works with DSHS to assess lab capacity, safety, and rule-out proficiency.
4. Helps evaluate new tests and write SOPs in the designated format as needed.
5. Provides training for Sentinel laboratories within this jurisdiction to develop continuing education programs concerning bioterrorism agent testing.
6. Responsible for performance of and advisement on proper collection, packaging, labeling, shipping, and chain of custody handling procedures of samples possibly containing biological and chemical agents.
7. Ensures that proper safety, specimen handling, and testing procedures are implemented at all Sentinel and Reference laboratories within this jurisdiction.
8. Communicates and participates in exercises with law enforcement agencies, epidemiological teams, and emergency management centers to ensure an effective response to suspected public health preparedness events.
9. Collaborates with DSHS to coordinate with local, regional, and state epidemiologists to develop and implement a communication plan for release of laboratory results related to public health preparedness and other outbreaks.
10. Enhances relationships with hospital-based laboratory practitioners, university laboratories, and infectious disease physicians through participation in infectious disease rounds and conferences.
11. Participate in selecting, training, motivating, and evaluating laboratory personnel; provide or coordinate staff member training; work with subordinate staff members to correct deficiencies.
12. Provide opportunities for all required staff training, competencies, and continuing education; ensures documentation for each staff member.
13. Prepare requests for proposals and bid invitations; evaluate, recommend, and requisition purchases of analytical equipment; approve requisitioning of supplies and equipment for assigned sections.
14. Participate in the development and administration of assigned program budget; forecast funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies.
15. Participates in smallpox response activities.
16. Responds to public health preparedness events and other public health emergencies when needed.
17. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

NOTE: YOU MUST FILL OUT THE WORK HISTORY and EDUCATION SECTIONS OF APPLICATION TO SHOW YOU HAVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION AS REQUIRED BY HIRING DEPARTMENT OR BE DISQUALIFIED.

TO APPLY, must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a biological or clinical laboratory science with a minimum of thirty (30) hours in microbiology and biology + Seven (7) full-time years of laboratory work experience INCLUDING Two (2) full time years of supervisory work experience.
OR
TO APPLY, must have a Master’s Degree or higher in a biological science, public health, or clinical laboratory science is desirable, + Five (5) full-time years of laboratory work experience INCLUDING Two (2) full time years of supervisory work experience.

A Master's degree is preferred.

Experience in giving presentations, conducting training, and evaluating lab programs and procedures is desirable.

Medical Technologist (ASCP) certification is desirable.

Familiarity with procedures in microbiology, immunology, parasitology, molecular biology, and virology is desirable as well as knowledge of good laboratory practices, quality control, and quality assurance.

Physical Demands and Work Environment & Other Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and bend.and pull