Job description
Description
This non-permanent position is currently approved for 6 ½ months and is eligible for full benefits. The incumbent will join our team at the Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline, WA.
This position in the Newborn Screening lab supports the Washington State Department of Health’s mission of improving the health of infants born in Washington State by performing a wide variety of laboratory tests to detect treatable heritable disorders in newborns which cause permanent disability or death if not detected and treated shortly after birth.
You’ll be responsible for the following:
- Processing and testing a high volume of newborn dried blood specimens.
- Operate both complex and routine automatic and manual equipment, including a computer software system to perform preliminary readings, interpretations, and analysis of the test results.
- Set up stat tests, maintain quality control records, perform equipment maintenance, maintain records of test results, monitor supplies, and prepare reagents & quality control materials.
- Assist lead worker or supervisor in writing reports, procedures and help with evaluation and validation studies.
The incumbent must have understanding and ability to follow standard operating procedures, including technical competency, analysis, and problem solving. The incumbent will report to the duty station in Shoreline, WA for work activities. The laboratory operates Monday-Saturday and on Holidays; the individual in this position must participate in rotations on Saturdays and Holidays. The incumbent will be assigned a regular Monday through Friday, or Tuesday through Saturday schedule.
Work that matters
Public health promotes and protects the health of the people of the state of Washington in the communities where they live, learn, work and play. We realize that our efforts to achieve more equitable health outcomes for the communities we serve begins with our ability to operationalize and institutionalize equity throughout our internal policies, systems, and practices.
About us
The Department of Health (DOH) works with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state. We are committed to our cornerstone values of
Equity, Innovation, and Engagement (EIE)
to reenergize our commitment to health for all — creating policies and conditions so everyone can live their healthiest lives. We cannot embark on this journey alone. We must collaborate with communities, community-based organizations, local public health entities, governmental partners, health care providers and systems, the private sector, Tribal Nations, and many, many more. Infusing our agency’s values into how we transform our services, go about our activities, and strengthen our core work, is critical to the bright and robust future ahead. Learn more about our Transformational Plan.
Why DOH? We offer
- One of the most competitive benefits package in the nation that is designed to meet the needs of you and your family. Beyond the traditional benefits such as Health, Life Insurance, Retirement, and related benefits, we offer Flex Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Assistance, Deferred Compensation, and so much more.
- A commitment to work/life balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for many positions.
- A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion that fosters an inclusive environment.
- Employees earn between 14 and 25 days of paid vacation per year, depending on the length of employment.
- A wellness program that offers education, access to healthy food, and fitness classes.
- An infant at Work Program based on the long-term health values of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding.
- Employee resource groups that provide forums for employees to gather and share ideas about matters that affect their personal and professional lives and support career development.
- DOH is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Learn more about this program.
- The incumbent may request a card for travel on public transportation known as a “One Regional Card for All,” otherwise known as an ORCA Card.
- The salary listed includes 5% premium pay due to the duty station of this position being in King County.
Our Ideal Candidate
Has a driving passion for the work, brings humility to their job and interactions, and understand how their actions affect others. They see the needs and objectives of others and take them into account while achieving their objectives, and they adapt their approach and expectations accordingly. They demonstrate resilience and outward behaviors even when confronted with others who are not open or collaborative.
Required Qualifications
Option 1: A Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry, microbiology, or a health-related field with a minimum of 20 semester hours (30 quarter hours) of chemistry and at least one course and one lab in molecular biology.
Option 2: A Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry, microbiology, or a health-related field with a minimum of 14 semester hours (21 quarter hours) of chemistry and at least one course and one lab in molecular biology; and six (6) or more months of work or volunteer experience in a laboratory setting.
Desired Qualifications
- Knowledge of Biochemistry, DNA analysis & PCR, instrumental analysis (Mass Spectrometry).
- Experience or knowledge of ISO 17025 or CAP lab standards and Best Laboratory Practices.
- Familiarity with human genetics and heritable disorders.
Application Process
Intrigued? Click “Apply” to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:
A cover letter (without personal pictures) describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are interested in this position.- A current resume (without personal pictures).
- Three (3) or more professional references, to be listed in your profile under the references section, which includes at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have supervised or led.
Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos, letters of recommendation, or
private information (social security number, year of birth, transcripts, etc.).
Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year.
If you have questions, need alternative formats, or need assistance, please contact Zach Covington at (360) 236-2406, Zach.Covington@doh.wa.gov, or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1. Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can’t log in, password or email issues, error messages).
This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions
All employees working for the Department of Health must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before their hire date. The Office of Human Resources will verify proof of vaccination after an employment offer has been extended.
Please contact Human Resources at HR@doh.wa.gov if you need medical or religious accommodation information.
With or without accommodation, I am willing and able to:
Work a full-time 40-hour work week but must be willing to occasionally adjust work-schedule to meet business needs, which may include evenings and weekends. Participate in emergency response exercises and emergency events/high-priority assignments as assigned.- Move packages or materials up to 40 lbs.
- Stand and perform repetitive work for 2 to 3 hours.
- Work with dried blood (occasionally whole blood) and various laboratory chemicals.
- Work with Incubators, refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, fume hoods, Autodelfias, fluorescent readers, pipettes, card punchers, tandem mass spectrometers, conventional and real-time PCR platforms, and other typical lab equipment, personal protective equipment, computers, copiers, printers, and fax machines.
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Supplemental Information
This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in-full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.
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