Central Laboratory Support Supervisor - (230001AM)
The Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory (MSPHL) at the Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a dynamic individual to supervise Central Laboratory Services. The selected candidate will be responsible in overseeing pre-analytical activities related to media preparation, specimen receiving and processing, glassware washing, specimen kit orders including assembly of specimen collection kits, kit order requests, kit order processing and fulfillment, and centralized sendout testing to external reference laboratories. The incumbent will provide operational oversight, technical expertise, and support to 14 staff. The selected candidate will also provide training to staff, providers, and contractors for lab operations. The candidate will also work with providers to provide shipping guidance on kits as well as arrange for courier services if required.
This is a Tier 1 position and will undergo a security risk assessment (SRA) to be renewed every three years and participate in an annual personnel suitability assessment program.
This position will require work in the BSL-3 laboratory. In the context of work in a BSL-3 environment the successful candidate must understand the following:
- All Tier 1 Staff will undergo a security risk assessment (SRA), which includes signing a confidentiality statement, and renewal every three years.
- Working conditions include potential exposure to infectious agents.
- All Tier 1 designated staff who may be exposed to Tier 1 Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) must complete OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (29 CFR 1910.134 Appendix C), be evaluated and determined able to wear a respirator before working in any HSLI laboratory (Tier 1, non Tier1and non SAT) that requires a respirator.
- All Tier 1 designated staff are subject to ongoing suitability assessment to ensure compliance with federal regulations regarding Tier 1 Select Agents. Failure to pass the SRA and/or suitability assessment required for access to Tier 1 BSAT may be laid off if no other resolution is reached
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Develop, perform, and supervise pre-analytical processes in central laboratory services that includes media preparation, glassware, specimen kit orders and assembly, specimen receiving and processing, and centralized sendouts.
- Write standard operating procedures and develop training program and ensure competencies for all processes.
- Provides quality control reviews of all laboratory documents.
- Assure the maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment by coordinating and scheduling of preventive maintenance and needed repairs with the contracted vendors.
- Interviews, new hires, and evaluates performance of staff.
- Participates in internal monthly staff meetings, in addition to, interagency and program-specific meetings.
- Complies with all safety and security protocol and monitors safety precautions and practices are maintained by staff.
- Evaluates resource needs and ensures adequate inventory of supplies, prepares budget requests and justifications and place orders of required supplies for daily operations.
- Observes all relevant state and federal regulations.
- Performs other duties as determined by the Division Director/management in response to program needs to include but not limited to participation/contribution to LIMS implementation and processes associated with building renovation.
Required Qualifications:
- Knowledge of concepts, theories and techniques for microbiology, immunology, serology and molecular biology.
- Able to perform calculations, measurements and unit conversion calculations for technical processes and enter data into forms.
- Ability to effectively and professionally communicate orally to internal and external customers such as testing laboratories, providers, contractors and vendors.
- Capability to effectively use a computer for research, manage databases, and produce technical documents/reports for fiscal, workload, quality assurance, technical and general laboratory processes.
- Potential to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the type of tasks required, the capabilities of personnel and available resources; monitoring work performance through periodic reviews and evaluations, determining personnel training needs and arranging appropriate training, providing motivation to personnel to work effectively and efficiently and determining the need for disciplinary action and/or recommending initiation of disciplinary action.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Means to provide technical guidance and troubleshooting for equipment maintenance.
- Capacity to investigate non-conforming events and provide reports to management, such as delays in turnaround time and proficiency test failures.
- Ability to organize work by establishing operating and reporting relationships and by assigning the work accordingly.
- Knowledge and ability to package and ship Division 6.2 Materials.
- Able to create and provide trainings for staff and contractors as required.
- Keen attention to detail and ability to be flexible with changes on daily operations.
- Familiarity of quality assurance practices (e.g., equipment maintenance, proficiency testing, method validation, staff competency, following standard operating procedures) specific to microbiology, immunological, and molecular biology test methods in a diagnostic setting.
- Proficient use of data management software and Microsoft applications such as Word, Outlook and Excel.
As part of the pre-hire process, you will be required to submit transcript(s) for review for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) verification process. If selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to submit an official transcript from each accredited academic institution to verify the above.
Please note that we will be unable to move forward with your application for this position if you do not meet CLIA qualifications.
About the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS):
The DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS), predominantly located in Jamaica Plain, provides public health response to infectious disease. These services include programmatic and epidemiologic response, as well as laboratory testing through the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL).
Infectious disease response services address concerns of the general public as well as those disproportionately affected by infectious disease through a variety of risk factors. BIDLS administers ongoing disease reporting for over 90 reportable diseases in the state. Disease reporting review and follow-up with clinical providers and local boards of health is a central function of the bureau. Surveillance activity is complemented by an extensive contracted service system. These services are funded through state and federal resources and include prevention education, community outreach screening for infectious disease, immunization services, health service navigation, medical case management, insurance enrollment, housing assistance, and referral and linkage to infectious disease treatment.
The SPHL provides scientific expertise and capacity to identify infectious agents, chemical agents, and other toxins that cause human disease. The SPHL is an active partner in joint activities with other bureaus/agencies such as environmental health, food and drug, agriculture, disease prevention and health promotion programs, and public safety. The SPHL is a reference laboratory of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Agent laboratory. SPHL staff work closely with laboratory and disease prevention programs at the CDC, and partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
About the Department of Public Health:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have (A) at least seven (7) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, academic research or technical experience for which the major duties had included laboratory analysis and the interpretation of laboratory results, and proficiency in instrumentation and diagnostic laboratory testing, of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory, administrative or leadership capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Based on assignment, applicants must meet related Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) requirements for High Complexity Testing.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, medical technology, biology or related scientific field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
II. A Master’s degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, medical technology, biology or related scientific field, may be substituted for three (3) year of the required (A) experience.
III. A Doctoral degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, medical technology or related scientific field, may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
Official Title: Microbiologist IV
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-305 South Street
Job: Science
Agency: Department of Public Health
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Jan 30, 2023, 12:23:35 PM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 77,236.64 - 114,017.02 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Sandra Semedo Sandra.C.Semedo@mass.gov - 6173524250
Bargaining Unit: 09-MOSES - Engineers/Scientists
Confidential: No
Hybrid Work Eligible: No