ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LABORATORY SERVICES

Job Specifications

Class Code:	NE6
Analyst:	MM

Date Originated:	3/12
Date Revised:	6/14

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, assists in planning, organizing, directing and reviewing all functions and activities of the departmental public health and clinical laboratory operations; supervises and evaluates the work of laboratory staff; performs a variety of technical laboratory testing and analysis; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This single class position is distinguished by its responsibility for assisting in the management of the daily operations of the laboratories: selects, trains and supervises laboratory staff, participates in budget preparation and administration, reviews and revises laboratory policies and procedures, and assumes responsibility for the laboratory in the absence of the Director of Laboratory Services.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Public Health Microbiologist in that the latter spend the majority of their time performing the full range of microbiologist duties including the more difficult and least defined diagnostic examinations.  It is further distinguished from the Director of Laboratory Services in that the latter has overall responsibility for all administrative and technical aspects of laboratory activities.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Assists in developing, planning, organizing and coordinating the technical and administrative functions of laboratory services;
• Selects, trains, supervises, disciplines, evaluates and schedules the work of the staff in the laboratory;
• Assists in ensuring adherence to departmental, County, State, and Federal codes, regulations, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols;
• Serves as a resource to other departmental staff, local laboratories and local physicians and other related health personnel in the performance and interpretation of laboratory diagnostic testing related to public health;
• Assists in ensuring that departmental and laboratory policies and rules are disseminated and observed;
• Assists the departmental laboratories in preparing for inspections and accreditation;
• Assists in adopting and demonstrating to subordinates new laboratory techniques and procedures to improve services;
• Instructs and assists microbiologists in the performance and interpretation of complex procedures;
• Participates in budget preparation; monitors the laboratory revenue plan, expenditures, and revenues; purchases equipment and supplies; ensures inventory control;
• Negotiates contracts with outside vendors, consultants or organizations for services in the laboratory; administers and monitors contracts;
• Performs laboratory testing procedures for bacteriological, parasitological, serological, and other laboratory tests;  reviews and approves lab testing reports; researches, formulates, develops and applies testing procedures to meet current public health needs;
• Advises medical personnel and other submitters on proper specimen collection techniques;
• Assists in developing and implementing quality control procedures; conducts quality control testing;
• Assists in maintaining protocols of laboratory testing procedures;
• Assists in maintaining manuals for standard operating procedures;
• Maintains an effective working relationship with a variety of organizations, including medical, nursing and clinical staff in other Health Department divisions, County departments, other agencies and private health care providers.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Laws, regulations and standards governing public health and clinical laboratories
• Supervisory principles and practices, including work planning, scheduling, review and evaluation and employee training and discipline.
• Current technology and laboratory practices, procedures and techniques used in Public Health and clinical laboratories in the application of tests and analyses.
• Techniques, methods and procedures for performing bacteriological, serological, mycological, virological, parasitological, microbiological and other related new diagnostic procedures.
• Accreditation standards and safety guidelines related to laboratory services.
• Techniques, equipment, and terminology used in the examination of body fluids and tissues, foods, water and environmental specimens.
• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and instruments.

Working knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of program management, including program planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Proper laboratory safety precautions and procedures.
• Causes and modes of transmission of communicable disease
• Basic principles of administration, including basic budgeting.

Ability to:

• Plan, assign, supervise, review and evaluate the work of others.
• Direct, coordinate and evaluate the specialized laboratory services to ensure quality patient diagnosis and care that conform to prescribed standards and regulations.
• Perform and direct complex laboratory tests and analyses.
• Evaluate and maintain quality control and proficiency testing.
• Analyze service delivery problems and adopt an effective course of action to resolve them.
• Maintain quality controls to assure compliance with safety and accreditation regulations and requirements of the laboratory.
• Devise and implement new laboratory policies and procedures.
• Develop, evaluate and maintain accurate record keeping systems.
• Prepare complex and detailed written reports, procedures and contracts.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including physicians, nurses, other County departments, department managers and administrators, and other agencies and private health care providers.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Occasionally lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds.

Training and Experience:  Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited university in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science.

AND

At the time of the recruitment must possess a valid certificate in microbiology issued by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) or American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM), or must state commitment and plan to obtain a valid certificate in microbiology issued by ABB or ABMM* and must obtain certificate within five years from the date of hire.

OR

Meet the requirements for the higher level classification of Director of Laboratory Services in the State of California or meet the grandfather clause of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to serve at a Director level.

*Note:  The ABB and ABMM have varying requirements to sit for the examination to obtain the certificate.  Among various requirements, they also include up to four years of experience prior to sitting for the examination.  Examinations may only be administered one to two times a year and may take several months to get results.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist certificate issued by the California State Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services.
• Possession of a valid Clinical Laboratory Scientist License issued by the California State Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services is highly desirable.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C Driver’s License or the incumbent must provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.

Special Working Conditions:

Incumbents must be able to work in an environment that may include exposure to communicable disease, pathogenic organisms and toxic or caustic chemicals.

Bargaining Unit: 11
EEOC:  02
Occupational Group:  46
Workers’ Compensation Code:  0290