Orange County: SUPERVISING PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST
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- Mar 6
- 3 min read
Orange County Public Health Laboratory
Job Title: SUPERVISING PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST
Department: Health Care Agency
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is the supervisory level classification of the Public Health Microbiologist occupational series. Incumbents in this class are assigned duties performing difficult and complex testing and analysis, working on special projects or studies wherein protocol or procedures are not standardized, and employing special procedures or techniques requiring specialized training or experience. Positions in this classification may be assigned to a specialized laboratory unit.
Below is a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in this classification. These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.
Supervises and coordinates the work of Public Health Microbiologists (Trainees/I/II) and Laboratory Assistants engaged in performing the standard day-to-day microbiological testing that is performed primarily by standard operating procedures and participates in performance management as appropriate.
Acts as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) General Supervisor and/or Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) Technical Manager in accordance with state and federal regulations for their assigned section(s) of the laboratory.
Supervises the activities of and assists in planning the program for Public Health Microbiologist Trainees.
Provides orientation to lab personnel and identifies training needs to assure individuals receive regular in-service training and education appropriate for testing performed in laboratory.
Prepares statistical, informational and technical reports and records for laboratory management and administration.
Develops the laboratory unit’s protocols and procedures for specimen handling and processing, testing analysis, reporting and maintaining records of test results.
Plans, organizes and conducts laboratory testing in specialized areas of the laboratory such as virology, serology, bacteriology, mycobacteriology water and molecular biology.
Trains laboratory personnel on basic and complex microbiological techniques in specialty areas.
Plans, coordinates, and ensures the completion of preventative maintenance and calibration of laboratory instruments.
Investigates questionable test results and reviews reports for quality control of test results.
Supervises the evaluation of laboratory methods and instruments for verification and validation of new procedures.
Resolves technical issues and ensures that remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications.
Ensures adherence and completion of quality assurance program guidelines and functions in their assigned section(s) of the laboratory.
Assists in performing and reviewing fee studies for laboratory billing system.
Performs research to identify new test methods and/or instrumentation to advance the efficiency and quality of laboratory testing.
Consolidates, organizes and requisitions supplies and equipment.
Reviews professional literature and relays pertinent information to laboratory staff.
Ensures staff compliance with policies, processes, and procedures for notification and consultation with epidemiologists regarding microbiological examination requests.
Advises public health professional staff and other members of the medical community in proper methods of specimen collection and in the interpretation of laboratory test results.
May publish research projects in scientific journals or present research projects at local, state, and national conferences.
Ensures proper safety precautions and procedures, monitors for laboratory hazards, and follows hazard communication protocol.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Thorough Knowledge of
Microbiological principles and techniques
Equipment and terminology used in laboratory diagnosis of disease and abnormal conditions
Principles, techniques, and terminology used in serology and immunology
Common causes of disease and methods of transmission and control of communicable diseases
Proper inventory and maintenance of laboratory supplies and equipment
Principles and techniques of supervision related to training, direction, control, and performance management of subordinates
Principles of effective leadership and supervision
Principles and techniques of program planning, implementation, and administration including budgetary practices and control
Ability to
Utilize the Laboratory Information System for testing and report generation purposes
Perform the more difficult laboratory tests and analyses
Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
Ensures microbiological concepts and theories are applied in laboratory testing
Supervise, train, direct, and evaluate laboratory personnel
Ensures laboratory compliance with policies and procedures addressing laboratory hazards and safe work practices
Education and Experience
A bachelor's degree with a major in Medical or Public Health Microbiology or an equivalent major as approved by the California State Department of Health from a college or university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or an equivalent accrediting agency as determined by the State Department of Health.
Three (3) years of experience performing the duties of a Public Health Microbiologist in an official public health laboratory in which the applicant did generalized public health Microbiological work. (A Master's Degree in Medical or Public Health Bacteriology or Microbiology may be substituted for one year of required experience.)
License/Certification
Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health. Required certification must be maintained as a condition of employment.
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