Job Description
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) seeks an experienced laboratory leader to serve as the Director, Division of Analytical Chemistry. The Director oversees the Analytical Chemistry Division of the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) within the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS). The Division is responsible for Pediatric Blood Lead Screening, Environmental Chemistry, including Biomonitoring and the Level I Chemical Threat testing. The Director plans, implements and manages scientific test methods and accurate reporting of findings for the Department of Public Health to prevent lead poisoning of children, to develop, implement, monitor and assess human exposure to environmental lead exposures and to assess and evaluate human exposures of toxic chemical agents. The Director ensures the division is meeting applicable regulatory compliances per federal, state and departmental policies related to toxic chemical exposures and food contamination. The Director designs and directs applied research studies to evaluate human exposures to toxic chemical agents and their associations with acute and chronic illness. The Director plans and directs special laboratory method development to ensure the accurate and timely analysis of laboratory samples to reduce chemical contaminants and mitigate potential risks. The Director manages fiscal streams that include state appropriations, third party billing, and federal grant funding.
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Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Provides, under the supervision of the Associate Director, State Public Health Laboratory, scientific direction and management of chemistry testing programs, including the Pediatric Blood Lead Screening, Environmental Chemistry, and the Level I Chemical Threat programs per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Works with medical providers and state, local and federal agencies to assure the public health laboratory services for detection of chemical agents are appropriate, timely and accurate. Provides technical expertise and consultation for the laboratory testing of lead and chemical contaminants and toxic agents, providing guidance in the interpretation of test results for disease identification, epidemiologic investigation and control, as well as policy development.
- Develops and implements new testing methodologies, evaluating Chemistry laboratory technologies and identifying optimal testing methods, practices and algorithms for the public health setting in strict compliance of applicable regulations. Works with laboratory staff and other SPHL division directors, facilities staff, DPH environmental health programs, and external partners such as the CDC, Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) to implement new testing and reporting strategies and policies. Designs and participates in relevant studies that address current scientific and programmatic questions related to Chemistry laboratory testing. Performs cost analyses of current testing practices, instrument services and contracts, and implements other available alternative tests to inform decision regarding testing practices and algorithms.
- Contributes as needed to all aspects of laboratory operations, as assigned by the Associate and/or Director of the MA SPHL. This includes a range of activities such as collaboration with the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Informatics Divisions to develop, manage, and implement test result reporting systems, making recommendations regarding allocation of staffing and financial resources to best meet current laboratory needs and priorities with guidance from the SPHL Associate and/or Director, SPHL, DPH environmental health and other programs.
- Ensures compliance with federal regulatory standards including those of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA), MA title105 CMR 180.000, College of American Pathologists (CAP), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Drug Administration (FDA) by developing, implementing and maintaining practices that meet the requirements of the laboratory's Quality Assurance and Quality Control plan. Activities include all aspects of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical high-complexity testing, development of special safety practices and procedures for handling highly toxic agents, and adherence to federal select agent program procedures for handling and storing specimens at high chemical safety and security risk. Ensures meeting the credentials for the CLIA Technical Supervisor (TS) duties.
- Collaborates with other SPHL Division directors, leaderships, DPH Environmental Health programs and external partners as needed to apply for and meet the requirements of various grants associated with the Analytical Chemistry Division. Collaborates with internal and external partners to implement grant-funded activities, attending meetings/conferences as needed according to the requirements of the funding organizations, and monitoring grant-associated funds and expenses. Collaborates with other state public health and environmental laboratories and Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) to share environmental chemistry, including those with Chemical threats and biomonitoring expertise.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the SPHL Leadership; may include functions in support of public health emergency response.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Scientific knowledge of the principles and practices of chemistry as they apply to laboratory testing in a public health setting.
- Understanding of the theories and practices of analytical chemistry, including knowledge of instrumentation, study design, method development, data analysis.
- Skilled in public health foodborne disease surveillance and prevention activities.
- Knowledge of CLIA, CAP, DEP, ISO and FDA regulations for laboratory quality assurance and quality control for high complexity testing.
- Aware of the principles and practices of organizational behavior.
- Grasp of the principles and practices of budgeting as it relates to program management.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and supervision.
- Able to select and develop staff by utilizing participatory management, personnel assessment, and performance review.
- Capacity to give written and oral instructions in a precise, understanding manner.
- Capability to resolve personnel conflicts effectively.
- Able to delegate authority effectively.
- Ability to anticipate and analyze difficult situations and take corrective action to prevent problems from occurring.
- Capable to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished and the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.
- Ability to effectively write scientific proposals, grants and manuscripts.
- At least ten years of analytical chemistry expertise including knowledge of instrumentation, study design, method development, data interpretation, analysis and results reporting.
- At least five years of supervisory experience in clinical, environmental and/or public health laboratories.
Special Requirements:
Must meet CLIA requirements for Technical Supervisor of a high complexity testing laboratory. As part of the pre-hire process, you will be required to submit transcript(s) for review for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) verification process. If selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to submit an official transcript from each accredited academic institution to verify the above. Please note that we will be unable to move forward with your application for this position if you do not meet CLIA qualifications.
About the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS):
The DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS), predominantly located in Jamaica Plain, provides public health response to infectious disease. These services include programmatic and epidemiologic response, as well as laboratory testing through the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL).
Infectious disease response services address concerns of the general public as well as those disproportionately affected by infectious disease through a variety of risk factors. BIDLS administers ongoing disease reporting for over 90 reportable diseases in the state. Disease reporting review and follow-up with clinical providers and local boards of health is a central function of the bureau. Surveillance activity is complemented by an extensive contracted service system. These services are funded through state and federal resources and include prevention education, community outreach screening for infectious disease, immunization services, health service navigation, medical case management, insurance enrollment, housing assistance, and referral and linkage to infectious disease treatment.
The SPHL provides scientific expertise and capacity to identify infectious agents, chemical agents, and other toxins that cause human disease. The SPHL is an active partner in joint activities with other bureaus/agencies such as environmental health, food and drug, agriculture, disease prevention and health promotion programs, and public safety. The SPHL is a reference laboratory of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Agent laboratory. SPHL staff work closely with laboratory and disease prevention programs at the CDC, and partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
About the Department of Public Health:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
More information can be found at:MA Department of Public Health
Pre-Hire Process:
A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510- 4122 Ext. #4.
Qualifications
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical) and must possess current license and/or registration requirements established for the performance of the position, of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
III. A Graduate degree or higher in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.