AR Lab Coordinator

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: AR Lab Coordinator 
Job Title: Education Spclst III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Microbiology 
Posting Number: 19878 
Closing Date: 08/25/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $6,800.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL) 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 0951,8802,123X,3F2X1,47A,47C,47D,47E,47F,47G,47H,47J,47K,47L,47M,47N,82A0,8T100,9H000,NAP12 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description: 

Under general supervision of the Microbiology Unit Quality Improvement and Testing Support Branch manager, performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services, technical assistance, and advanced public health laboratory education with a focus on the antibiotic/antimicrobial resistance (AR) laboratory testing program. Serves as an AR Laboratory testing programs liaison to submitters, as well as regional and state healthcare associated infections (HAI) and AR programs. Responsible for planning, overseeing, coordinating, and expanding education, outreach, recruitment, training, evaluation, and communication associated with AR Laboratory testing and other public health laboratory surveillance programs. Educate submitters on requirements for sample collection and shipment, and changes in analytical testing services. Supports submitter engagement and coordinates specimen submission and reporting. Create and update educational materials, recruitment materials, and presentations. Assist healthcare providers with the use of DSHS remote access data services, investigate and reduce unsatisfactory specimens, and other AR and program related activities. Evaluate AR and other laboratory surveillance activities to identify successes, gaps, barriers, and opportunities, and recommending corrective actions, developing action plans, and monitoring progress, to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Provides consultative services and coordinates communication with the Healthcare Safety Unit and other infectious diseases programs staff, the general public, stakeholders, and public health facilities staff, including but not limited to physicians, nurses, and hospital staff.  Assist with Microbiology Specimen Logistics when applicable. Highly advanced verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills required. Actively participates in the safety program. Duties are performed under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

EFJ #1 (35%) Submitter Engagement and Coordination: Acts as the AR Laboratory liaison and the initial main point of contact for submitters. Maintains and updates a contact list of submitters. Performs sample recruitment activities and provides technical assistance. Coordinates sample submission, result reporting, and sample shipping to CDC and AR Lab Network regional laboratory. Collects, organizes, and analyzes data and information and prepares reports in response to requests for AR laboratory information. Monitors Texas ARLN and other email boxes for customer questions and requests, providing answers or forwarding to appropriate specialty area as needed. Serves as a resource on the AR laboratory policies and procedures. Prepares and shares reviews of literature, statutes, rules, or policies. Facilitates and processes special projects and routine requests associated with AR and other Microbiology specimens including open record requests. Assists with the development of AR response plan and other program procedures and manuals for the AR laboratory in accordance with program objectives and goals. Coordinates and conducts tours of the laboratory as needed.

EJF #2 (30%) Education: Oversees, coordinates, leads, and collaborates with program staff to plan, develop, and implements educational program, processes, and materials to increase public and provider awareness, understanding, and compliance with AR laboratory testing including laboratory procedures. Determines the methodology and delivery of educational training. Develops educational materials and presentations and presents information about AR and other laboratory surveillance sample collection, submission, testing requirements and processes, and reporting protocols. Composes and distributes notices, hints, and reminders. Maintains and updates AR testing laboratory website content and accuracy. Performs regular review of website, documents, forms, and other stakeholder resources. Oversees, guides and participates in the development of informative materials and DSHS distribution methods and procedures to minimize specimen rejection. Oversees and conducts onsite and remote training for healthcare facilities, submitters, program staff, and the general public on requirements of healthcare providers and the agency. Facilitate seminars and meetings conducted to train laboratorians to perform new testing methods. 

EJF #3 (15%) Communication: Acts as a liaison between AR Laboratory and HAI program staff to coordinate regular bi-directional communications and to explain and provide technical assistance on educational requirements. Facilitates and schedules meetings to provide updates, encourage discussions, share concerns and successes, develop strategic planning, and establish short and long term goals. Documents meeting notes and monitors action items. Coordinates and collaborates with program staff in planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of training efforts to expand provider interest in the program initiatives, secure support for programs, determine trends, resolve operational and technical problems, and improve use of Remote Data Services.

EFJ #4 (15%) Program Assessment: Develops and implements effective techniques for evaluating programs. Identifies gaps and needed changes and coordinates with the laboratory and HAI programs, as appropriate, to develop and implement new initiatives, resolve problems and lead activities to improve performance. Assesses program activities, procedures, related internal and public documents, and outreach activities to ensure program compliance with statute and policy regarding AR testing. Prepares and conducts surveys and evaluates data to determine provider compliance and understanding with program and legal requirements and agency policies.  Collects and analyzes data, monitors results, and prepares reports related to AR Laboratory and provider performance, and effectiveness of educational activities. Evaluates findings on submitter unsatisfactory specimen rates to determine efficacy of unsatisfactory specimen reporting procedures and submitter focused corrective action initiatives. Coordinates the review and evaluation of guidelines, protocols, literature, and trends of AR specimens and accurate demographic information collection. Extracts, analyzes and reviews Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database reports regarding healthcare provider performance and use of Remote Data Services and identifies needs for education and outreach. Serves as a backup to the LIMS liaison by assisting in developing and/or preparing data extracts and reports from the LIMS. 

EJF #5 (5%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. Safe operation of either a state owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to Texas Notifiable Conditions and other infectious diseases.
• Knowledge of training and marketing techniques.
• Knowledge of program management processes and techniques.
• Knowledge of public health laws, regulations and general clinical and microbiological laboratory, principles, techniques, and terminology.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety.
• Knowledge of current technologies that support programatic goals.
• Skill and knowledge in the collection of human and non-human microbiology testing specimens.
• Skill and knowledge in using computer, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, Windows, and Internet.
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance.
• Skill in using information management systems.
• Skill in problem solving and working independently.
• Skill in providing customer service to medical personnel and the public via telephone, fax and in person.
• Skill in developing presentations for diverse audiences.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Skill in collection and handling of protected health data and other confidential records.
• Skill in creating, maintaining and using electronic reports and spreadsheets.
• Skill in use of business grammar, proofreading and editing for creation of educational materials.
• Ability to interpret, understand and adhere to applicable public health laws and rules relating to infectious diseases and associated confidential information.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.
• Ability to devise solutions to problems.
• Ability to prepare reports.
• Ability to maintain several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally, via the telephone, in writing and by personal contact.
• Ability to market programs.
• Ability to evaluate and execute continuous quality improvement projects to maintain efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures.
• Ability to complete tasks without close supervision and use considerable discretion and mature judgment in interactions with public and interpretation of protected health data.
• Ability to train, lead, and prioritize workload.
• Ability to interact effectively and work in harmony with internal and external customers and maintain constructive relationships with co-workers and superiors by setting a positive work-ethic example.

Registrations, Licensure, Certifications 

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related field from an accredited institution is required. If a degree is not in a scientific field, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and two years of expereience performing laboratory testing in a clinical, public health, or research laboratory may servce as a substitute.
• Previous experience performing testing in a clinical, public health, or research laboratory is required.
• Must be able and willing to travel.
• Experience managing projects is highly preferred. 
• Experience identifying and implementing CQI projects is highly preferred.
• Experience with teaching, outreach, and recruitment is preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Power Platform or data automation is preferred.

Additional Information:

• Please fill out the State of Texas Application in its entirety, including required and optional fields. All fields on the application must be filled-in completely. 
• Information on the application must clearly state how the applicant meets initial selection criteria in the Summary of Experience section in order to be considered for an interviewed. 
• Cover letters and resumes outlining initial selection criteria and qualifications are highly recommonded. 
• Interviews will be conducted in person and scheduled after screening. 
• Degree must be from a U.S. accredited college or university. Applicants with diplomas awarded in countries other than the U.S. must have them evaluated for equivalency by an approved credentialing agency. Please contact a Quality Control Officer (512-458-7318) for an approved list of credentialing agencies. The equivalency of credentials documentation must be provided prior to or at the time of the interview.
  
  
  

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form