SUMMARY

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL) is responsible for the diagnostics, education, and applied research programs for identification, surveillance, control, and prevention of bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases originating in humans. MDL works closely with the CDPH Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program, CDPH Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Control Branch, California local public health departments and laboratories, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (AR Lab Network) to provide testing support to detect and characterize antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, including carbapenem-resistant organisms (CPO), Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Candida auris.

Under the direction of the Section Chief of the Bacterial Diseases Section of the Microbial Diseases Laboratory, the Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Testing Laboratory Supervisor plans, organizes and supervises the day-to-day work of microbiologists, trainees and assistants involved in testing and assay development related to primarily CPO and may include other HAI/AR pathogens of concern. This position may be delegated CLIA technical and/or general supervision if all personnel qualifications are met. The incumbent communicates with external and internal partners to expand capability of AR testing in support of outbreak detection and investigations.

Full-time, Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week; weekend, holiday, and/or overtime may be required during public health emergencies.

This is an on-site position at the CDPH campus in Richmond, California.

The salary range for this position is $88, 404.00 to $113, 064 annually commensurate with experience/qualifications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates with supervisory and testing personnel within BDS to manage antimicrobial susceptibility testing activities, review of daily testing reports, ensure compliance with safety and quality control/quality assurance policies and procedures, and provide general and technical supervision of laboratory staff within the team.
• Prepares, reviews, and updates laboratory standard operating procedures and protocols.
• Reviews, approves, and tracks purchase orders and work orders.
• Acts as the lead to design, conduct, and oversee applied research projects to improve diagnostic and surveillance capability and knowledge.
• Provides interpretation of scientific research findings for use by others.
• Performs applicable budgetary analyses needed to manage research and testing activities.
• Assists with applicable grant applications and performance measures, and other requirements mandated by funding organizations.
• Works with the MDL AR Laboratory Coordinators to triage testing requests and provide data needed for notifications and reports.
• Assists in the development and testing of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) and Electronic Test Ordering and Reporting (ETOR) assay builds.
• Communicates with local, State and federal agencies or other partners in support of outbreak investigations, epidemiologic surveillance, regulatory functions and, as needed, emergency response.
• Provides technical consultation to internal and external clients.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises appropriate research and testing personnel.
• Represents the department in promoting, explaining, and coordinating scientific research affecting public health.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) certificate issued by the State of California.
• Master or Ph.D. degree-level applicants must have at least two years of experience working on CLIA-regulated high-complexity testing with microbial pathogens in a clinical or public health microbiology laboratory setting, or a minimum of 5 years of experience required for bachelor’s degree-level applicants.
• Knowledge of standard biosafety precautions for working with potential infectious material, sterile technique, and molecular methods.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to varied work settings.
• Ability to complete projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to work effectively with a team of diverse individuals.
• Demonstrated attention to details.

Education/Experience

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university in biological or medical / laboratory science
• Computer skills (Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing is preferred
• Project management experience (including grant-related projects) preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand Frequently
• Walk Frequently
• Sit Frequently
• Handling / Fingering Occasionally
• Reach Outward Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally
• Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 25 lbs.
• See Constantly
• Taste/ Smell Not Applicable

Key

• Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Laboratory setting, indoor and airflow and temperature controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.