Waycross Laboratory Services Director
Pay Grade: R
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Who We Are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.
What We Offer. As a member of the DPH team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact. No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:
- Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play.
- Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents.
- Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team – Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths.
- Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career.
- Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role.
- Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you.
As an accredited public health department, we're seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Waycross Laboratory Services Director, Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL). GPHL’s main location is in Decatur, GA but this position is at GPHL’s second location in Waycross, GA.
This senior management position leads the Waycross section of the Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) which receives specimens for select testing capabilities in Microbiology and in the future also for Newborn Screening Testing. The Services Director directs laboratory Newborn Screening and Microbiology services, supervises scientific managers, professional/technical staff and administrative support positions.
Job Responsibilities:
This leadership position is responsible for the oversight of existing Microbiology testing. They are also responsible for the stand-up of scientific and administrative Newborn Screening laboratory operations under the Rural Health Transformation Program. This position works directly under the GPHL Laboratory Director who is the CLIA Laboratory Director of the Waycross laboratory and spends most of their time at the Decatur location. The position also works with the Department of Public Health programmatic and medical follow-up programs to guide development and oversee testing and program objectives. Maintains a culture of quality to assure the delivery of accurate and timely results using proper safety precautions for the Newborn Screening service and Microbiology service in Waycross, GA.
- Directs the functions of the Waycross Public Health Laboratory (WPHL), under the supervision of the GPHL Laboratory Director.
- Leads WPHL goals and initiatives.
- Serves as technical consultant for all services in the WPHL.
- Plans, organizes, and directs the laboratory activities for Newborn Screening and Microbiology Services.
- Directs the quality control program as follows:
- Assures that WPHL is enrolled annually in the required, approved proficiency testing (PT) programs
- Monitors proficiency test performance
- Maintains a file of all proficiency test results
- Works with the laboratory manager to correct any deficiencies when the proficiency test results have unacceptable values
- Provides recommendations and action plans for training of WPHL personnel.
- Directs QC activities, reviews QC data, performs effectiveness evaluations
- Direct and assists in evaluation of new test procedures
- Reviews and evaluates the overall quality management system as it applies to the Waycross laboratory, to include, but not limited to, personnel management, oversight of equipment and inventory procurement, document and records management, and oversight of the quality assessment plan and continuous quality improvement program.
- Conducts or participates in the development, review, revision, interpretation, and/or implementation for policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
- Provides updates to GPHL leadership and when invited, to the Newborn Screening Advisory committee.
- Provide technical expertise for the development, validation and implementation of genetic testing and result interpretation for existing and new newborn disorders according to the recommended uniform screening panel (RUSP).
- Serves as a technical consultant or resource for colleagues and staff, health department managers and healthcare providers; develops and presents educational and/or training sessions, as needed.
- Develops, implements, and monitors grants and cooperative agreements for the services provided at the Waycross laboratory.
- Collaborates with senior managers to develop the program’s strategic goals in accordance with the mission of the agency.
- Analyzes data, and prepares technical and administrative reports for the laboratory director, and for grants, publications and regulatory requirements.
- Maintains and fosters communication among staff and with public health partners and customers.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
- Serves as integral member of the lab leadership team.
- Visits the Decatur, GA laboratory at least twice per year to foster alignment of testing services between the two laboratories.
Preferred Qualifications:
Special consideration will be given to applicants with national certification as a laboratory director by an HHS accredited board.
- Must possess certification as a High Complexity Laboratory Director or pass an approved certifying examination within eighteen (18) months of hire date as a condition of employment.
- A Doctoral degree in biology, microbiology, chemistry or related fields; and must either be certified or eligible for certification, by an accepted certifying agency. Must submit international evaluation if degree was granted by a foreign educational institution.
Additional Information:
The DPH Commissioner and leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.
The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes of physical activity can be allocated per workday, typically in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.
Employment Information
Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary.
DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials.
The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.
Relocation assistance will not be provided.
As an employee of DPH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.
ADA Statement
DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), email a request by the closing date of this announcement to: DPH-ADA@dph.ga.gov.
DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. DPH will contact selected applicants to proceed with the next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.
