County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction plans, organizes and administers the Public Health Laboratory Services; provides laboratory services for Alameda County community based organizations and other contractual counties or entities and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This single class position is located in the Public Health Department and reports to the Director of the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention. The Director of Public Health Laboratory Services is responsible for overseeing the operation and directing the activities and programs of a high complex laboratory that serves the various public health programs in Alameda County. The Public Health Laboratory Director is distinguished from the lower class of Supervising Microbiologist in that the latter class has responsibility of the day-to-day supervision of the Public Health Laboratory personnel, while the director has the overall responsibility of laboratory services. It is further distinguished from the next higher class of Director of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention in that the latter has overall organizational, policy development and administrative responsibility for the full spectrum of service delivery in the Division.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans, directs and coordinates the Alameda County Public Health Laboratory Services.

2. Formulates and implements laboratory goals and objectives, policies and plans within the framework of the mission of the department.

3. Coordinates and integrates laboratory services and activities with other departments requiring laboratory support.

4. Plans, supervises, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of supervisory, professional, technical and support staff; selects staff and provides for their training and professional development; and implements discipline as required.

5. Develops, implements and evaluates operational and safety policies, procedures, techniques and reporting practices.

6. Ensures that tests, examinations and procedures are properly performed, recorded and reported.

7. Coordinates and maintains the Public Health Laboratory Quality Assurance and Assessment Program.

8. Ensures that the laboratory operations personnel are in compliance with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.

9. Monitors changes in laws and regulations; develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance with such changes.

10. Consults with the state, other counties, agencies, private physicians, hospital, and clinical laboratories concerning laboratory procedures and interpretation of results.

11. Prepares a variety of correspondence, narrative and reports required by the California State Department of Health Services.

12. Develops and provides ongoing review of the budget and billing procedures for the Public Health Laboratory.

13. Interprets and applies a variety of complex policies, rules and regulations.

14. Represents the Public Health Laboratory in staff and professional meetings; provides information to other departments and outside organizations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Education:

Possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited university in a chemical, physical, biological science or clinical laboratory science.

AND

Certification:

Possession of certification by the American Board of Medical Microbiology, American Board of Clinical Chemistry, American Board of Immunology, American Board of Bioanalysis, or other National accrediting board acceptable to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services in one of the laboratory specialties.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full time recent experience in public health laboratory work, including two years of lead or supervisory public health laboratory experience at the level of a Senior Microbiologist or higher.

Or II

Held a position as a Laboratory Director or could have qualified as a “Laboratory Director” under regulations at 42 CFR 493.1415, published March 14, 1990 at 55 FR 9538 on or before February 28, 1992.

Or III

On or before February 28, 1992, be qualified under CA State law to direct a public health laboratory to include 4 years of full time public health laboratory experience.

License/Certificates:

Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist Certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including the essentials of budgeting and organization of public health laboratory services.
• Management principles and practices, including work planning, employee supervision and resource allocation.
• Organization, functions and duties of the AIameda County Public Health Department and the State Department of Health Services.
• Current Public Health laboratory procedures and techniques.
• Methods and techniques of narrative and statistical report preparation.
• Federal and State laws and regulations related to Public Health Laboratory.
• Computer applications related to the work.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and direct public health laboratory services.
• Plan, supervise, review and evaluate the work of a multi-disciplinary staff.
• Write and speak effectively.
• Interpret, explain and apply complex regulations, policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate and effective reports, correspondence, policies and other written materials.
• Direct the maintenance of accurate records and files.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Exercise tact and sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

JFD:tw
1/3/74
Old doc: 0499h
New doc: 5620.doc
ys/6/01
CC:pf Rev./Retitle 4/27/04
[old title: Chief, Public Health Laboratory Services]
CSC Date: 5/26/04

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.