Chief, Laboratory Field Services Branch
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under administrative direction in the Department of Health Services, to plan, organize, and direct the work of the Laboratory Field Services Branch in order to assure high quality biomedical laboratory services throughout California through education, consultation and regulation of clinical laboratories, public health laboratories, laboratory personnel, manufacturers of biological products, and care and use of laboratory animals; to assist in policy formulation; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Develops policies and standards for the Laboratory Field Services Branch designed to assure the quality of biomedical laboratory work in California including implementing the laws relating to the licensing of laboratories and laboratory personnel; plans, organizes and directs the work of the staff engaged in field consultation; evaluates performance and quality controls of laboratories; coordinates the work of all laboratory staff engaged in administration and/or field work related to licensing or regulations of laboratories; confers with departmental Medical Advisory Board on medical implications and laboratory problems prior to consulting with clinic and hospital personnel on medical issues; consults directly with health officers, physicians, laboratory directors, and others on public health laboratory issues; provides supervision and direction to the staff involved in giving technical and administrative consultation to blood banks and related facilities, and determines that legal requirements for operation have been met; organizes and directs department activities in training and examining laboratory personnel; trains staff, evaluates their performance, and takes or recommends appropriate action; coordinates the work of the staff with the activities of the other laboratories in the Department and with other Department activities; addresses interested groups.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid license as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst or technologist, or certification as a public health microbiologist issued by the California State Department of Health Services. and Either I Two years of experience in microbiology or a closely related specialty in the California State Department of Health Services in a class performing duties at least comparable in level to an Examiner III, Laboratory Field Services.
Or II
Possession of a degree of doctor of philosophy or an equivalent doctoral degree from a recognized university with specialization in microbiology, public health or a closely related field. and
Three years of increasingly responsible experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity in a large public health laboratory or a comparable medical diagnostic laboratory.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Medical microbiology, virology, serology, immunology, and epidemiology; principles and practices of public health administration, use of blood and blood derivatives and other biologicals; California and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to public health laboratories, clinical laboratories, biologics' production, and care of animals used in laboratories; public health and clinical laboratory organization, administration and procedures; general functions of the State Department of Health Services and Federal Public Health Laboratory Services; fiscal management and budget preparation; principles of personnel management; Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: Plan and direct technical staffs engaged in laboratory activities; interpret the results of studies; develop, coordinate and direct research programs; prepare scientific articles for publication; communicate effectively; relate and effectively communicate with leadership in Federal agencies, State and national professional laboratory organizations and societies, and national agencies that credential laboratory facilities and personnel; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.
Special Personal Characteristic
Willingness to travel throughout the State.
