PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY MANAGER 4 - 04302024-57468

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, LABORATORY SERVICES DIVISION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This is the Assistant Director of Whole Genome Sequencing, which is a clinical testing area.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in physical sciences (e.g. chemistry), ecology, life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology, biochemistry or biophysics), medical laboratory science, pre-medicine, or other acceptable science, and five years of full-time professional work in the related field, and experience equivalent to three years of full-time laboratory supervisory experience.

OR

Successful completion of an accredited, four-year medical laboratory scientist program, and five years of full-time professional work in the related field, and experience equivalent to three years of full-time laboratory supervisory experience.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate course work received from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for the required experience on a year-to-year basis to a maximum of two years (e.g. 24 graduate semester hours or 36 graduate quarter hours in a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience), with there being no substitution for the supervisory experience.

A transcript with ALL credits is required to be uploaded with an employment application in order that the agency is able to properly evaluate a candidate's eligibility for a position in this classification.

Necessary Special Qualifications: A PH Lab Manager 4 performing Clinical, duties the major portion of their time must be licensed as a Medical Laboratory Supervisor or Medical Laboratory Director by the Tennessee Department of Health.

Clinical is defined as Human Samples/Specimens.

A PH Lab Manager 4 performing Chemist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, including at least 32 credit hours in the following areas: (1) general chemistry, (2) organic chemistry, (3) quantitative analysis, (4) instrumental analysis and (5) physical chemistry.

A PH Lab Manager 4 performing Aquatic Biologist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 32 credit hours in biology, in one of the following areas: (1) biology or biological sciences, (2) botanical sciences, (3) environmental or conservation sciences, (4) zoological sciences, or (5) aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field. Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license throughout the duration of employment.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Summary

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional laboratory and managerial work of considerable difficulty, as it relates to clinical, chemistry, microbiological, environmental, biological and/or molecular areas; supervisory work of unusual difficulty; and performs other tasks as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the highest supervisory class in the PH Laboratory Manager series. An employee in this class acts as an assistant director over a divisional unit with statewide duties.This class differs from the PH Laboratory Manager 3 in that an incumbent of the latter acts as supervisor and coordinator of several service units within one public health laboratory rather than an assistant director of a divisional unit with statewide duties.

Responsibilities

Getting Information:

1. Designs and/or coordinates experimental investigations and laboratory research.
2. Researches equipment specifications and methodologies to evaluate the usefulness and cost effectiveness.
3. Making regular contacts with persons in other departments or divisions or outside organizations for the purpose of obtaining information.
4. Reviews relevant journals and attends scientific meetings to remain a leading public health laboratory in support of the agency mission.
5. Evaluates posted funding opportunities through federal and other grants as relevant to the laboratory.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

1. Conducts and oversees inspections and complaint investigations to determine compliance with laws, regulations or standards.
2. Uses relevant or appropriate guidelines to determine whether test results are reportable based on laboratory, federal and/or state established policies and procedures.
3. Ensures quality control guidelines are established and followed within assigned laboratory divisions.
4. Ensures confidentiality of patient information according to state and federal guidelines

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:

1. Prepares specification, justification and cost analysis for equipment purchases.
2. Evaluates proposed work and creates accurate cost proposals.
3. Ensures adequate resources are available for workload.
4. Oversees purchase and distribution of supplies.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

1. Communicates and/or presents interpretation of regulations, policy, guidance, etc. to Stakeholders.
2. Translates or explains what laboratory data means and how it can be used.
3. Evaluates and explains what results are supplied and the appropriate reference ranges to be distributed to executive and/or program staff.
4. Prepares and reviews various publications, reports and technical documents and interprets data accordingly

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

1. Coordinates educational workshops in conjunction with schools and other interest groups to heighten public awareness about public health.
2. Participates and/or presents in public/regulatory/professional meetings and/or hearings, as necessary.
3. Communicates with submitters, vendors and other public health officials, relaying only relevant information in person, in writing or by telephone or e-mail.
4. Communicates with people outside the Laboratory, based on policy, representing the Laboratory to other state or federal agencies in person, in writing or by telephone or e-mail.
5. Participates in state and/or federal work groups to improve laboratory operations as needed.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

1. Establishes and develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with all laboratory staff and maintains them over time.
2. Communicates status of assigned tasks or other relevant information to supervisors, peers or subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.
3. Provides relevant information through the chain of command by either telephone, in written form, e-mail or in person.
4. Provides regular updates to executive staff and other internal business partners on the status of projects and other assigned work.
5. Maintains an open dialogue with internal business partners to ensure effective and efficient communications.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

1. Incorporating last minute and unscheduled tasks into current workload to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.
2. Prioritizes and organizes tasks in order to complete them in an assigned timeframe.
3. Delegating tasks to assigned subordinates based on the competencies they possess to ensure sufficient space to engage in supervisory work and ensure work is completed efficiently, accurately and timely.
4. Incorporating and prioritizing personal workload and the workloads of assigned subordinates to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

1. Analyzes information and evaluates results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
2. Evaluates analytical output for correctness (e.g., quality control data) and addresses inaccuracies as they arise.
3. Analyzes, communicates and implements resolutions to various issues as they arise.
4. Approving travel, time and attendance, training and other related requests submitted by assigned subordinates to ensure compliance with departmental, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, processes and procedures.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates:

1. Provides guidance and direction to direct reports through performance reviews.
2. Develops and reviews job performance plans, interim reviews and annual performance evaluations to inform employees of their work progress.
3. Conducts benchmark meetings with individual direct reports to provide guidance, direction, motivation, accolades and suggestions for improvement.
4. Conducts regularly held unit meetings to discuss work status, to plan for future work, to solve problems in daily work and to inform the managers of any organizational changes.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

1. Reviews information from textbooks, manuals, flowcharts and other reference sources to accurately analyze and report test results.
2. Reviews new methods and new procedures submitted by appropriate personnel to be used within assigned laboratory division.
3. Remains current with regard to technical information and department procedures and policies and applies new knowledge to the jobs performed by assigned laboratory division.
4. Seeks opportunities for professional development and allows staff the opportunity and guidance for professional development.

Developing Objectives and Strategies:

1. Develops and/or reviews strategies for various circumstances, such as continuation of operations during emergencies.
2. Develops and/or reviews procedures independently for implementing new or modifying existing laboratory programs and activities.
3. Provides information to the appropriate director to assist in developing strategic goals and plans to be discussed by executive staff.

Analyzing Data or Information:

1. Interprets results of sample testing from various laboratory outputs to ensure accurate reporting.
2. Analyzes data by breaking information down into separate pieces and determining its utility.
3. Reviews, analyzes and/or approves data using mathematical and statistical methods.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources:

1. Oversees assigned laboratory division's budget and expenditures, ensuring all expenditures are monitored and controlled to ensure workflow is both efficient and cost effective.
2. Prepares, reviews, processes and/or monitors contracts.
3. Reviews and submits recommendations for large expenditures for the unit to executive staff for approval.

Processing Information:

1. Compiles, calculates, categorizes and verifies information or data for appropriateness of reporting.
2. Oversees calculation of results in appropriate laboratory division to ensure results are accurate based on laboratory reporting requirements.
3. Compiles/Reviews papers or reports or prepares/reviews SOP's and specifications for processes, facilities, products or tests.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:

1. Reviews monitoring data to determine trends for environmental and clinical conditions.
2. Monitors the cost of and expenditures related to contracts and testing to ensure compliance with budgetary constraints.
3. Performs and reviews cost study analyses for specified laboratory division.

Developing and Building Teams:

1. Uses team building leadership skills and effective communication skills to encourage and instruct others in their work activities.
2. Modeling effective performance for co-workers and assigned subordinates to provide a role model, encourage success in others and enhance trust.
3. Identifying developmental opportunities appropriate for assigned subordinates to improve team development.

Documenting/Recording Information:

1. Prepares and reviews records and reports to meet assigned laboratory division's needs.
2. Continually documents the performance of assigned subordinates to ensure accurate and unbiased performance evaluations.
3. Documents, enters, transcribes, records, stores, destroys and maintains information in written or electronic form according to established state and federal guidelines.

Performing Administrative Activities:

1. Performs day-to-day administrative tasks involving timekeeping, scheduling, ordering and management reports.
2. Ensures all records, reports and correspondence are completed and processed within required timeframes.
3. Ensures all personal timekeeping activities are entered and approved in the timekeeping system by all staff as required by the specified timeframes.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:

1. Oversees validation and verification studies and presents findings and recommendations to executive staff and others.
2. Evaluates current procedures to assess effectiveness and ensure LEAN practices and makes recommendations for improvement.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:

1. Maintains a respectful and productive work environment within the assigned laboratory division to minimize disputes and facilitate performance.
2. Resolves simple and unusual conflicts to ensure timely and efficient performance and maintain positive working relationships.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others:

1. Facilitates cooperation within assigned laboratory division to accomplish tasks and goals.
2. Coordinates with executive staff, upper management, peers and assigned subordinates to facilitate workload dissemination.

Staffing Organization Units:

1. Ensures appropriate staff receives appropriate training to successfully conduct interviews for job candidates according to laboratory and state policies and procedures.
2. Identifies promotional opportunities within laboratory division to develop bench strength, leadership competence and enhance the talent pool.

Interacting With Computers:

1. Ensures appropriate use of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
2. Uses computers to process information, data and control instrumentation.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

1. Oversees laboratory procedures for detection or identification of requested analyte for assigned laboratory division.
2. Ensures laboratory division staff has adequate training and appropriate safety materials to operate laboratory equipment safely and effectively using control mechanisms.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment:

1. Ensures electronic equipment is maintained, repaired and/or calibrated as needed.
2. Ensures that malfunctioned equipment is repaired or surpluses according to State guidelines.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material:

1. Ensures equipment is being monitored for proper functionality and suitability.
2. Ensures maintenance agreements are current and being executed and funded correctly and consistently.

Thinking Creatively:

1. Creates an environment where employees feel free to take reasonable risk, develop new ideas to advance program efforts and feel inspired to grow and develop in their roles.
2. Provides constructive input on day-to-day and systematic processes within assigned laboratory division.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

1. Ensures assigned laboratory division personnel are scheduled accordingly to guarantee work is prioritized and completed per the mission of the Department of Health.
2. Schedules compliance inspections, laboratory activities, meetings, etc.

Coaching and Developing Others:

1. Mentors assigned staff by providing feedback and information on organization culture, policies and procedures, workflow and chain of command, task prioritization, proper documentation, use of systems and available functionality and how to most effectively perform their assigned task.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:

1. Operates passenger vehicles and/or aquatic vehicles.

Competencies

Competencies:

1. Building Effective Teams
2. Decision Quality
3. Developing Direct Reports and Others
4. Directing Others
5. Functional/Technical Competency
6. Informing
7. Listening
8. Priority Setting
9. Problem Solving
10. Written Communications

Knowledge:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Clerical
4. Education and Training
5. Mathematics

Skills:

1. Active Learning
2. Active Listening
3. Critical Thinking
4. Learning Strategies
5. Monitoring
6. Reading Comprehension
7. Science
8. Speaking
9. Writing
10. Instructing
11. Service Orientation
12. Complex Problem Solving
13. Equipment Maintenance
14. Operation and Control
15. Operations Monitoring
16. Quality Control Analysis
17. Troubleshooting

Abilities:

1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Mathematical Reasoning
3. Memorization
4. Oral Comprehension
5. Oral Expression
6. Problem Sensitivity
7. Written Comprehension
8. Written Expression
9. Arm-Hand Steadiness
10. Selective Attention
11. Near Vision
12. Speech Clarity
13. Visual Color Discrimination

Tools & Equipment

1. pH Meter
2. Pipette
3. Microbiology Analyzers
4. Autoclaves
5. Chemistry Analyzers
6. Microscopes
7. Balances
8. Thermocyclers
9. Computers
10. Calculators
11. Other laboratory equipment as required

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.