Job Description

Posting number: OPH/PTT/227259

Department: LDH-Office of Public Health

Job classification: PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY SCIENTIST 1

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Public Health, Laboratory

Summary

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The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health

Join the Louisiana Office of Public Health Laboratory and make a difference from the very start of life! IN this position you’ll perform complex analytical laboratory procedures in the Newborn Screening Department of the Louisiana Office of Public Health Laboratory in Baton Rouge. The Newborn Screening Laboratory is responsible for performing testing techniques using mass spectrometry, time resolved fluorescence, high performance liquid chromatography, isoelectric focusing, real time polymerase chain reaction, and mutational analysis. The Newborn Screening Laboratory serves as laboratory support for the Louisiana Genetics Disease Program to detect genetic and metabolic disorders that are present at the time of birth. If you’re passionate about science, precision, and improving health outcomes, we encourage you to apply!

Examples of duties

A bachelor's degree in a biological, environmental, or chemical science.

SPECIAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be able to pass a criminal background check and/or security clearance, including but not limited to those required for the Federal Select Agent Program and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners license requirements.

CLINICAL TESTING POSITIONS:

For positions which involve processing and analysis of human specimens and/or the generation or interpretation of laboratory results that may be used in the diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition in humans, the incumbent must have a current license to practice as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist (CLS-G) or a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Specialist (CLS-S) issued by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME).

A temporary license to practice as a CLS-G or a CLS-S issued by the LSBME shall fulfill this requirement only for the limited time granted by the LSBME. The incumbent is required to satisfy the requirements for a CLS-G or CLS-S permanent license prior to the expiration of the temporary license.

Qualifications

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Supplemental information

Job Duties:

• Receive and evaluate newborn screening specimens to ensure they meet established acceptance criteria.
• Maintain proper specimen handling, identification, and chain-of-custody procedures in accordance with laboratory requirements.
• Perform high-complexity newborn screening tests independently and accurately using approved laboratory methods.
• Ensure pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing processes meet applicable quality and regulatory standards.
• Use the laboratory information management system to track specimens, create patient records, and refer specimens for confirmatory testing.
• Maintain competency in applicable testing methodologies and ensure proper operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Participate in required proficiency testing and quality assurance activities to support timely and accurate reporting of newborn screening results.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Office of Public Health / Central Laboratory / East Baton Rouge Parish

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary or a Promotional appointment

Cost Center: 3262107412

Position Number(s): 50513454

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1, 2, or 3 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

• Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For information on how to check your application status and understand status updates, please click HERE.

Contact Information:

Paul Tran

Paul.Tran3@la.gov

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821225-342-6477

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.