Sr. Mgr 2, Health Laboratory.

Who we are. We protect lives.The Georgia Department of Public Health 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 Georgia Department of Public Health 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

The Division of Microbiology at the Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) is responsible for detecting, identifying, and reporting communicable diseases within the State of Georgia. The Division is responsible for maintaining expertise and capability in a wide variety of public health microbiology specialties. These include Mycobacteriology Reference Bacteriology, Enteric Bacteriology, Environmental Microbiology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance surveillance, Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) etc. GPHL is seeking an experienced laboratory professional to serve as Deputy Director (Laboratory Senior Manager) for Virology and Immunology. 

This is a senior leadership role that reports directly to the Director of Clinical Microbiology Services and assists in managing day-to-day operational activities, personnel management and managing State and federally funded programmatic areas such as Advanced Molecular Detection, TB Cooperative Agreement, Ryan White, HIV Prevention, Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity (Rabies, Respiratory virus surveillance, NREVSS, FluNet, COVID), Emerging Infections Program etc.

Essential job duties:  Provide technical or scientific consultation and assures the activities are congruent with the goals of the Division of Clinical Microbiology and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), OSHA, other federal and state regulations.

Responsible for assisting theDirector of Clinical Microbiology Services withfederal and state grant applications, contracts, grant deliverables, writing reports, manuscripts, and presentations. Work closely with Laboratory Operations Director to monitor and track fiscal integrity for Virology and Immunology units.

Provide administrative and leadership role by directly managing two Associate Managers, approves scheduling and leave, and work assignments, decisions regarding hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions, and other administrative duties as assigned by the Director.

Work closely with Virology and Immunology Associate Managers to maintain robust inventory including molecular and serology reagents for the continuity of operations supporting surveillance and outbreak investigations.

Work closely with CDC, Emerging Infections program and State DPH epidemiologists to support statewide surveillance and outbreak investigations. 

Provide workforce development activities include staff engagement, coaching and mentoring, staff recognition, cross training and provide professional developmental activities to sustain employee retention, integrates strategic thinking into decisions and long-term planning for Virology and Immunology laboratory operations.

Ability to mentor Association of Public Health Laboratory fellows and Centers for Disease Control Laboratory Leadership Service fellows.

Work closely with QA manager and oversees quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement of the Virology and Immunology units including the assay development, review, conduct validations and verifications, assay implementation, documentation of non-conforming events and corrective actions and communication of all laboratory quality processes. 

Analyze data, identify trends, monitor prevention and correction of quality deviations, and develop reports for management utilizing technical knowledge and laboratory experience. 

Monitor critical indicators, customer satisfaction and performance metrics.

Work closely with GPHL Biosafety Officer and support exceptional efforts to maintain compliance with institutional biosafety and chemical safety policies including reviewing and approving risk assessments. 

Provide support for policy and procedures governing GPHL, provide oversight and guidance for technical leadership, and conduct outreach to improve customer support within the State of Georgia. 

Must ensure effective management of human resources and model leadership behavior. 

Must have written and oral communication strategies, display active listening skills and demonstrate skills for inclusive, visionary, strategic, change and relational leadership abilities.

Must adhere to policies and principles governing professional and scientific ethics and rules of conduct, exemplifying integrity, and serving as a role model of ethical behavior. Must demonstrate team player skills, driving passion for the work, humility to job, personnel interactions, and understanding. Demonstrate outward thinking, collaborative, open mindset, and resilience to model outward behaviors to your team and others during stressful conditions. 

Bachelor's degree in a hard science from an accredited college or university and which includes seven (7) years in a lead worker, team leader, or supervisory role in a laboratory setting

OR  

Bachelor's degree in any related discipline from an accredited college or university and ten (10) years of job-related experience, which includes seven (7) years in a managerial role

OR

Two (2) years of experience required at the lower level Sr. Mgr, Health Laboratory (LSM011) or position equivalent. 

Note: Must meet state clinical laboratory licensure personnel requirements as technologist and federal (CLIA '88) requirement for high complexity technical supervisor. 

Preferred qualifications and competencies: 
The preferred experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate.

Bachelor’s degree in microbiological science or a related field. Seven years of supervisory experience in a public health or clinical laboratory management professional experience in a regulated laboratory OR Bachelor's degree in any related discipline from an accredited college or university AND Ten years of related experience, Seven years of which in a leadership/administrative role OR Two years of experience required at the lower level Sr. Mgr, Health Laboratory (LSM011) or position equivalent

Certified as MLS or MT in specialties by nationally recognized accredited agencies such as American Society for Clinical Pathologist or American Board of Bioanalysis or Eligible for certification within 18 months of hire.

Demonstrated success supervising a work unit in a public health laboratory, or regulated microbiology/molecular diagnostic laboratory.

The incumbent must meet  personnel requirements for technical supervisor (42 CFR ) performing high complexity testing as defined by 42 CFR 493, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Experience managing a laboratory budget and grants.

Experience with regulatory standards such as CLIA, FDA, EPA, and ISO 17025.Experience interpreting and analyzing complex data.

Supervisory experience including performance management and employee professional development.

Knowledge of analytical or scientific software including but not limited to Laboratory Information Management Systems.

Knowledge of clinical diagnostic laboratory regulatory requirements and experience working with laboratory quality assurance programs.

Experience with strategic planning, workforce development, and leading teams

Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with a wide range of partners.

Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills and attributes of team player.

Demonstrate organizational, time management skills to handle multiple assignments, prioritization, and complete assignments in a timely manner. Must be knowledgeable with SMART goals.

Professionalism, honesty, and integrity, as well as the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary team, and managers, community partners, academics, other agencies, and institutions.

Ability to foster an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

Desirable qualifications: 
Master’s or Doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or related field from an accredited institution.

The incumbent must meet personnel requirements for technical supervisor (42 CFR ) performing high complexity testing as defined by 42 CFR 493, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Doctoral candidates must meet the personnel qualifications stated in 42 CFR, Part 493, Subpart M and eligible to be certified within 18 months of hire by a board approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ((b)) such as American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB); American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) to manage and direct the laboratory personnel of high complexity testing. 

Bachelor's degree in any related discipline from an accredited college or university and ten (10) years of job-related experience, which includes seven (7) years in a managerial role; or two (2) years of experience required at the lower level Sr. Mgr, Health Laboratory (LSM011) or position equivalent. Note: Must meet state clinical laboratory licensure personnel requirements as technologist and federal (CLIA '88) requirement for high complexity technical supervisor.

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