Laboratory and Epidemiology Coordinator, Department of Forensic Sciences
Category : Alumni
Job Summary
This position is located in the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS). The mission of the DFS is to provide high-quality, timely, accurate, and reliable forensic science services using best practices and best available technology, focusing on unbiased science and transparency, to enhance public safety and health.
The overall goal of this position is to timely and appropriately coordinate the submission of clinical samples to the DC Public Health Laboratory (DC PHL) for laboratory testing, improve data collection quality, and facilitate ongoing communication and data sharing of laboratory testing results with DC Department of Health (DOH) to support surveillance and outbreak investigation activities. The coordinator will work closely with the DFS PHL Director and Laboratory Unit Managers to coordinate efforts between the DOH Infectious Disease Epidemiologists and with outside stakeholders pertaining to disease surveillance, sample submission, and laboratory testing. The incumbent will ensure the efficient and effective conduct of public health surveillance to support the wellbeing of District residents, visitors, and stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Laboratory & Epidemiology Coordinator serves as the primary point of communication for DC health care facility (HCF) laboratories, commercial laboratories, or other facilities submitting clinical samples to the PHL by responding to all inquiries. Develops communication plans to conduct ongoing outreach and education to submitting laboratories. Provides outreach services to DC HCF laboratories, clinics, and offices. Troubleshoots and optimizes methods for patient sample submission by working with outside stakeholders, including sentinel clinical laboratories, hospitals, and local health clinics to communicate and educate staff about available testing methods and appropriate sample collection and handling requirements requested by the Public Health Laboratory. Oversees sample submission protocol development.
The incumbent ensures the timely submission of critical outbreak samples and draft a sample submission report to be sent to the Epidemiologist who is leading the outbreak investigation. Ensures routine sample submission targets are met based on established standard (e.g. number of submitted samples, timeliness of sample submission) by tracking and reporting submission performance metrics. Reports laboratory data to DOH for surveillance and performance metrics required by federal grants (e.g. for reports, during meetings). Communicates key surveillance findings to relevant stakeholders (including detection of clusters using BioNumerics). Assists with reporting to meet grant deliverables and performance metrics. Maintains a current understanding of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) guidelines and regulations as they pertain to clinical testing to direct quality assurance in the laboratory in collaboration with the designated Specialist.
Qualifications and Education
A Bachelor’s or higher-level degree in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position; in addition to one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the CS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position including, but are not limited to, coordinating the timely and appropriate submission of clinical samples to the DC Public Health Laboratory (DC PHL) for laboratory testing, improving data collection quality, and facilitating the ongoing communication and data sharing of laboratory testing results with DC Department of Health (DOH) to support surveillance and outbreak investigation activities.
A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in epidemiology, a laboratory science or forensic science and a higher degree is favorably considered, and five (5) years or more of specialized experience, two years of which were gained from clinical, public health, or environmental laboratory setting is highly desirable. Experience with customer service, marketing, and negotiations a plus. Skills in using other statistical analysis software desired.
How to Apply
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