Examiner, Laboratory Field Services Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established July 11, 1973

Scope

This series specification describes three levels of Examiner, Laboratory Field Services, used in the Department of Health Services.

Definition of Series

The Examiners, Laboratory Field Services, series describes professional work concerned with the licensing and surveillance of public health and clinical laboratories and their personnel, blood and tissue banks, biologic manufacturers, and animal care facilities. This series consults with physicians, laboratory directors, health facility administrators, and other State agencies in connection with laboratory and related laws and regulations; provides supervision and consultation in the review, evaluation, inspection, and certification of management operations, adequacy of services, and personnel in laboratories of health facilities under State and Federal legislation relating to laboratory services; assists in the administration of other State programs, and maintains the primary responsibility of assessing laboratory performance through statewide proficiency testing programs of all clinical and public health laboratories.

As qualified microbiologists, bioanalysts, technologists, chemists, or other laboratory scientists, Examiners, Laboratory Field Services, provide primary consultation and assistance utilizing professional scientific training and experience.

Entry Levels

Entry into this series is typically at the Examiner I, Laboratory Field Services, level. Promotion into this class series may be made from the general classes of Public Health Microbiologist I, Public Health Chemist I, or Senior Clinical Laboratory Technologist.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level of difficulty, variety and complexity of assigned duties, independence of action and decisions, degree of supervision received, nature of public contacts, and at the Examiner III, Laboratory Field Services, level, the degree of supervisory and administrative responsibility assigned.

Examiner I, Laboratory Field Services

This is the journeyperson level of the series. Under direction, the Examiner�I, Laboratory Field Services, works primarily in the capacity of a laboratory surveyor, applying professional knowledge and experience in general laboratory technology or in a specialized area to the examination and evaluation of all types of laboratory programs, and performs other duties as required. In addition, may assist Examiners II, Laboratory Field Services, in the administration of specialized areas of activity.

Examiner II, Laboratory Field Services

This is the staff specialist level of the series. Under general direction, develops and administers a complex area of Laboratory Field Services, such as evaluation of licensing personnel, biologics licensing, and evaluation and approval of clinical laboratory training facilities; provides guidance in his/her area of specialization to Examiners I, Laboratory Field Services; and performs other related duties.

Examiner III, Laboratory Field Services

This is the full supervisory level. Under general direction, is responsible for the planning, coordination, and evaluation of a group of activities of Laboratory Field Services; provides administrative direction to Examiners I and II, Laboratory Field Services, and Cytotechnologists, Laboratory Field Services; and performs other related duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Examiner I, Laboratory Field Services

Possession of a valid license as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst or technologist (general or specialized), or certification as a public health microbiologist issued by the California State Department of Health Services. (Applicants who do not possess the required license or certificate will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the license or certificate before they will be considered for appointment.) and Either I Two years of experience performing the duties of a Public Health Microbiologist I or Public Health Chemist I in California state service.

Or II

Experience: Three years of professional experience in a clinical or public health laboratory, two years of which must have involved one or a combination of the following:

1. Field consultation experience in the clinical or public health laboratory field; or

2. Supervisory experience involving supervision of professional laboratory personnel or as a laboratory director; or

3. Performance as a staff specialist in one or more of the technical areas of clinical or public health laboratory science. (Postbaccalaureate graduate work in clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, clinical laboratory technology, or public health may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for not more than two years of the required general experience.)

and

Education: Graduation from college with a bachelor's degree in one of the clinical laboratory sciences.

Examiner II, Laboratory Field Services

Possession of a valid license as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst or technologist (general or specialized), or certification as a public health microbiologist issued by the California State Department of Health Services. and Either I Two years of experience performing the duties of an Examiner I, Laboratory Field Services, in California state service.

Or II

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in�a clinical or public health laboratory, three years of which must have involved one or a combination of the following:

1. Field consultation experience in the clinical or public health laboratory field; or

2. Supervisory experience involving supervision of professional laboratory personnel or as a laboratory director; or

3. Performance as a staff specialist in one or more of the technical areas of clinical or public health laboratory science. (Postbaccalaureate graduate work in clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, clinical laboratory technology, or public health may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for not more than two years of the required general experience.)

and

Education: Possession of a master's degree in clinical laboratory science, clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, or public health.

Examiner III, Laboratory Field Services

Possession of a valid license as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst or technologist (general or specialized), or certification as a public health microbiologist issued by the California State Department of Health Services. and Either I Two years of experience performing the duties of an Examiner II, Laboratory Field Services, in California state service.

Or II

Experience: Broad and extensive professional experience in a large clinical or public health laboratory in administration or supervision; and

Education: Possession of a doctoral degree in one of the clinical or public health laboratory sciences.

Knowledge and Abilities

Examiner I, Laboratory Field Services

Knowledge of: Technical areas of clinical or public health laboratory sciences such as clinical chemistry, toxicology, bacteriology, immunology, mycology, hematology, parasitology, cytology, or virology, including principles, techniques, equipment and terminology used in the laboratory investigation of diseases; the causes and methods of transmission and control of communicable disease; current developments in clinical and public health laboratory sciences; State and Federal laws and regulations related to clinical and public health laboratories, biologics production, and proficiency testing services; use of available scientific resource material.

Ability to: Perform clinical laboratory tests, microbiological analyses, or other specialized technical procedures; conduct surveys of clinical and public health laboratories, blood banks and other specialized facilities with accuracy, thoroughness and tact; interpret and apply laws and regulations to specific cases; prepare reports; consult with laboratory personnel and administrators.

Examiner II, Laboratory Field Services

Knowledge of: All of the above, and specific application of State and Federal laws and regulations relating to clinical and public health laboratories, including principles and procedures involved in the investigation of violations and current developments in legislative action affecting clinical and public health laboratories and personnel; general principles of effective supervision; principles and practices of organization and management as applied to a laboratory program or activity.

Ability to: All of the above, and supervise the work of others; organize specialized activities or programs; collect and organize data for hearings; prepare complex reports, guidelines, and proposed regulations.

Examiner III, Laboratory Field Services

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles, practices and techniques of public health administration and personnel management, and supervision of the work of others; 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: All of the above, and direct the activities of others; plan, organize, and coordinate varied complex programs; prepare budgetary material; confer and work with legislative representatives, advisory committees, and administrative officials of Federal, State and local agencies; speak and write effectively; analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action; establish and maintain cooperative relations with staff members and with other agencies and persons; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Class History