Laboratory Supervisor (Public Health)

The Laboratory Supervisor, under limited supervision, oversees lab operations of the assigned department. Responsibilities include supervising subordinates in performing laboratory procedures; providing orientation to new staff; monitoring staff performance; training staff to meet testing and mandated requirements; coordinating lab activities and programs; ensuring the efficient and effective allocation of resources; troubleshooting any problems associated with test procedures or instrumentation; ensuring proper quality control measures are maintained; updating policies and procedures, including manuals signed annually; and participating in Quality Assurance to provide quality laboratory services.

Positions assigned to Public Health are responsible for preparedness activities in the event of a natural disaster, disease outbreak, and other threats to the health of the public. Employees in this classification participate in preparedness response activities which may include mass vaccination clinics, sheltering, and/or other needed response activities as directed.

Supervises assigned personnel including conducting performance evaluations and counseling, and performs related administrative functions. Trains laboratory personnel in laboratory methods.

Manages laboratory supplies, completes supply requisitions, properly records laboratory inventory and orders supplies as needed. Projects future needs for services, space, equipment, material, and personnel. 

Maintains lab records and inventory, and prepares requisitions and reports for state and federal agencies by ensuring daily lab and sampling forms are complete. Develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and revises laboratory Standard Operating Procedures in accordance with state and federal policies. 

Supervises assigned personnel including conducting performance evaluations and counseling, and performs related administrative functions. 

Assists the Health Administrator and Health Director to prepare a proposed fiscal budget for the various programs of the health department. 

Prepares standard reagents and other chemical solutions. Collects and analyzes water samples. Perform the Colilert PA Test for Total and Fecal Coliform according to State and Federal regulations. 

Develops and manages lab safety program; conducts safety training; and is responsible for safety practices in the laboratory. 

Performs other related duties as assigned.

POSITION-SPECIFIC DUTIES

Public Health

Develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and revises laboratory policies and procedures in accordance with local and state policies. 

Establishes, maintains, and monitors a comprehensive, effective quality assurance program for laboratory services. 

Develops, implements, and monitors safety practices in the laboratory. 

Designs, reviews, revises and approves technical manuals and protocols, to include quality control and laboratory records systems. 

Sets priorities, assigns responsibilities and establishes timetables for service. 

Keeps a record of all scientific supplies, requisition and work forms, and order supplies as needed. 

Maintains and calibrates laboratory equipment and is responsible with troubleshooting any problems associated with such instrumentation. 

Provides for the provision of continuing education for the laboratory staff. 

Performs proficiency testing assigned by the technical consultant. 

Ensures that Water Bacteriology certification is maintained with the State of North Carolina Certification Branch. 

Represents the laboratory in interactions with other members of the health care team. 

Projects future needs for services, space, equipment, material, personnel. 

Collects venous blood by Vacutainer method. 

Collects blood by fingerstick method according to specific tests requested. 

Follows all rules on the safe disposal of sharps and needles. 

Restocks phlebotomy supplies as needed. 

Runs appropriate controls each day of testing and only reports results on patient samples when all quality control samples meet expected specifications. 

Performs hemoglobins by the Hemocue method as requested for the various programs in the Health Department needing this service. 

Examines vaginal wet mounts. 

Examines urine sediment preparations. 

Performs chemical analyses on urine samples by the dipstick method (ChemStrip 9). 

Performs Urine Pregnancy Tests. 

Performs rapid HIV and syphilis testing.

Completes state-approved Counseling, Testing, and Referral (CTR) training for providing patient education and results of HIV testing.

Centrifuges blood specimens. 

Draws serum from collection tubes and ensures that transfer tubes have the proper information on them concerning the patient when samples are sent to a reference lab. 

Ensures that proper State forms and packaging are used when specimens are referred to the State Laboratory for testing. 

Observes GC-Lect agar plated which have been incubated at 35 degrees Celsius for 24 to 48 hours for colonies suggestive of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and performs an oxidase test on typical and atypical colonies on GC-Lect plates. 

Prepares a smear on a microscope slide from plates showing colonies which are suggestive of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. 

Records laboratory test findings in the patient’s electronic medical record or provides results to program lead nurse as appropriate. 

Performs serum A1C glucose tests from venous samples using the Abbott Afinion Chemistry Analyzer. 

Performs glucose screening tests on the Hemocue Glucose Analyzer with fingerstick or venous blood. 

Performs the Colilert PA Test for Total and Fecal Coliform on private water supplies according to State regulations. 

Records temperature of coliform incubator daily to ensure that the designated temperature limits are maintained so that proper incubation requirements are met. 

Performs RPR Card Screening Test. 

Performs Rapid Strep Screening tests. 

Performs Occult Blood test for stool samples.

Leads the Quality Assurance Council which oversees Quality Assurance for Public Health, including setting meeting agendas, maintaining meeting minutes, and directing follow-up.

Coordinates laboratory participation in outreach activities.

Collaborates with internal and external partners to provide COVID test kits.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Associate degree from an accredited school and five (5) years of experience in the assigned area; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Licenses or Certifications:

Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Special Requirements: 

Employee must meet the qualifications for personnel performing moderately-complex laboratory procedures under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988. See Federal Register 2-28-92, Section 493.1423.

Applicable to Identified Human Services Positions Only: In order to perform work in this role, within (30) thirty days of employment you must provide immunization records, provide proof of immunity, or receive/start the required vaccination series, as applicable, along with complying with any necessary screenings, as required by the Union County Division of Public Health and its Healthcare Personnel Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Policy, in accordance with applicable law.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Graduation from a four-year college with a bachelor's degree in laboratory science, environmental science, or a closely related field, and five (5) years of environmental lab experience. 

Licenses or Certifications:

Possession of a NC Drinking Water certification, Water Microbiology certification, or Laboratory Analyst certification in an Environmental laboratory.

Special Requirements: 

None Specified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be physically able to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions including computers, stethoscope, hemostat, IV pump, telephones, etc. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. The work is performed while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a relatively safe, secure, and stable work environment. Work may be performed in a laboratory. Work requires the use of masks, goggles, and gloves. Employees may be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases and irritating chemicals. Employees assigned to Water & Wastewater Operations may also work in a water treatment plant or outdoors. Employees assigned to Water & Wastewater Operations may also be exposed to occasional cold or inclement weather.

Salary : $73,477 - $110,216