Chemist 2 Newborn Screening Laboratory DOH8610

Chemist 2 Newborn Screening Laboratory

This is a permanent position that will report onsite to the Public Health Laboratories located in Shoreline WA.

What You Will Do:

As a Chemist 2 youll be at the heart of the Department of Healths mission to improve infant health working handson in a stateoftheart lab. Your days will be filled with purpose as you process and test a high volume of newborn blood samples using cuttingedge equipment like tandem mass spectrometers and highpressure liquid chromatography to detect treatable heritable disorders. Youll be the one interpreting preliminary results troubleshooting complex instruments and ensuring every test meets rigorous standards knowing that your keen eye and steady hands could be the key to a childs healthy future.

In this dynamic position youre not just running tests youre a problemsolver and innovator. Picture yourself preparing specimens with precision punching dried blood spots and programming systems to keep the lab humming efficiently. Youll maintain a steady flow of reagents and supplies document every detail and even step up to support your team by analyzing results or tackling quality control checks. Beyond the routine youll have the chance to collaborate on new procedures and technologies helping to push the boundaries of newborn screening. Its a role where your expertise and curiosity come together making a tangible difference one tiny sample at a time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct Testing with Advanced Technology:
  • This role involves using sophisticated lab equipment such as tandem mass spectrometry and highpressure liquid chromatography to analyze newborn blood samples for treatable disorders.
  • Responsibilities include measuring components like amino acids hormones and DNA ensuring accuracy by monitoring quality controls troubleshooting equipment and investigating unusual results for further analysis.
• Prepare Samples Efficiently:
  • The position requires sorting evaluating and punching dried blood spots to prepare specimens for initial and repeat testing ensuring a smooth and precise process from start to finish.
• Maintain Lab Operations:
  • Tasks include preparing reagents tracking inventory and keeping detailed records of samples and test results.
  • The role also involves supporting the team by performing tests conducting quality checks and submitting routine reports to supervisors to keep everything running seamlessly.
• Drive Improvement and Teamwork:
  • This position contributes to lab advancements by helping to refine procedures testing new technologies and validating methods or equipment.
  • Additional duties include assisting with special research projects mailing results organizing lab spaces and participating in collaborative efforts to enhance newborn screening outcomes.

Location and Flexibility

Join our onsite team to collaborate directly with colleagues and be part of our dynamic workplace environment. This position requires working onsite and inperson at our Public Health Laboratory located in Shoreline WA.

What were looking for:

Were looking for people who naturally embrace diversity reflect on their own perspectives and help create a workplace thats welcoming and fair for everyone. We want team members who are passionate about breaking down barriers promoting fairness and making a positive difference in others lives with a caring peoplefirst approach. We need folks who thrive on teamwork bring fresh ideas to the table to hit our goals and can tackle problems with smart practical solutions that work for all. Being a great communicator putting customers first and rolling with different situations and people is a must along with a knack for working well with others across teams and communities.

Required Qualifications:

We value all relevant experience whether paid or unpaid and your diverse experiences can make a difference in this role. To be considered for this position you must meet one of the required qualification options listed and any additional qualifications included in the required qualifications section.

Option 1:Five 5 or more years of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Option 2:Bachelors degree in chemistry microbiology or a healthrelated field which includes 30 semester hours 45 quarter hours) of chemistry and at least one course and one lab in molecular biology; AND two or more years of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Option 3:Masters degree in chemistry or microbiology; AND at least six 6 months of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory

AND the following experience:

• Proficient in using standard desktop software such as word processors spreadsheets databases and file storage on shared network servers.
• Demonstrated proficiency in operating and troubleshooting laboratory instruments (e.g. tandem mass spectrometers highpressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems electrophoresis equipment and other common lab equipment)
• Skilled in applying quality improvement tools to improve efficiency accuracy and overall quality (QA tools can be LeveyJenning QC charts EP Evaluator Reports for different QC and QA requirements etc..
• Familiarity with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

The qualifications below are what would make you a strong fit for this role. While these arent required having them can help you stand out as a candidate.

• Two 2 or more years of experience in a clinical or analytical laboratory setting including handson experience with biochemical assays specimen processing or newborn screening.
• Experience with newborn screening tests including measurement of amino acids acylcarnitine hormones enzyme activities or DNA sequences.
• Experience preparing reagents maintaining lab supply inventories and documenting test results for archiving and reporting.
• Experience withspectrometers highpressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems and electrophoresis equipment.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for generating worklists and managing test data.

Benefits and Lifestyle

We prioritize your worklife balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide tailored to support your lifestyle. Discover more about Why DOH by visiting.

Who We Are:

The PHL: Empowering Health and Protecting Communities!

The Washington State Public Health Laboratories (PHL) provides essential support to local health jurisdictions and healthcare providers in disease monitoring and outbreak response. Serving as the reference laboratory PHL identifies rare diseases such as Rabies Hantavirus and West Nile virus along with analyzing clinical samples for statewide outbreaks and shellfish contamination. With a focus on public health PHL plays a critical role in safeguarding communities and addressing potential health threats.

We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

At DOH we safeguard public health in an everevolving world. Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state federal and private partners our programs and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily. Were driven by Equity Innovation and Engagement as outlined in ourTransformational Plan for the future of Washington health.

Conditions of Employment:

• Work Environment: This job takes place fully onsite in a lab where handling dried blood (and sometimes whole blood) and various chemicals is part of the routine. Expect to lift items up to 25 pounds and do repetitive tasks for 23 hours at a time. The lab can be noisy fastpaced and stressful with exposure to confidential patient information protected under HIPAA.
• Schedule: The lab runs Monday through Saturday plus most holidays. This role typically follows a TuesdaytoSaturday schedule though a MondaytoFriday option may be available based on seniority. Holiday rotation and oncall duties (Mondays and/or Saturdays) are required and occasional work outside regular hours may be needed for emergencies or outbreaks.
• Travel: Occasional travel might be necessarysometimes overnight instate or outofstate alone or with a coworker. A valid drivers license or alternate transportation is needed for state business.
• Equipment Used: The role involves working with lab tools like incubators centrifuges fume hoods tandem mass spectrometers PCR platforms pipettes and card punchers along with computers printers and personal protective gear.
• Interactions: Daily contact includes newborn screening team members supervisors vendors support staff healthcare providers and other lab colleagues.
• Additional Notes: Color vision testing is required due to accreditation standards as distinguishing colors is key for some tasks. Vaccinations for labrelated risks are mandatory as determined by management and safety assessments.
• Representation: This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions need accommodation in the application or selection process or need information in an alternative format contact Shawnelle Goalder ats. For general DOH recruitment questions email the Talent Acquisition Team at. Deaf or hard of hearing contact Washington Relay Service at 711; individuals outside of Washington State contact Washington Relay Service at.

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly atfor technical support and login issues.

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 infull 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.

This position is located in King County. A 5 salary increase is included in the advertised pay.