Lead Chemist –Newborn Screening (Chemist 3) DOH8979

This is a full-time onsite position located at our Public Health Laboratories located in Shoreline, WA.

The Opportunity:

As the Lead Chemist – Newborn Screening (Chemist 3), you will provide direction for day-to-day operations in the laboratory in collaboration with the laboratory supervisors within the Washington State Public Health Laboratory’s Newborn Screening Program. The Newborn Screening Program conducts screening and follow-up management for genetic disorders for infants born in Washington, Idaho and Hawaii. You will lead the work of assigned technical staff performing a variety of laboratory tests on newborn blood samples to detect metabolic disorders.

You will be responsible for the quality of lab results produced by their designated unit and must have expert knowledge of all aspects of testing including the ability to perform all procedures. You will have signatory responsibility for test results and ensure the analysts working within their unit(s) are adequately trained. You will also manage operational needs such as equipment, budgets, grants, contracts, and laboratory capacity.

This work is an important part of Washington’s disease surveillance and outbreak response system. The laboratory results and technical expertise provided by your teams directly supports the DOH mission of improving the health of infants born in Washington State.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Technical Laboratory Operations & Testing

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative laboratory analyses within assigned units.
• Act as a backup tester and assist in the laboratory when staff is absent or workload is high.
• Serve as shift leader for Saturday and holiday work rotations.

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

• Hold signatory responsibility to assure methods and test conclusions are technically correct.
• Review and report results to the Newborn Screening Follow-up staff.
• Document testing procedures, test results, validation activities, and QA measures.
• Perform technical writing for standard procedures and monthly Quality Control (QC) reports.

Staff Leadership, Training, & Consultation

• Lead, prioritize, and troubleshoot the work of assigned laboratory technical staff.
• Train and assist laboratory staff with testing methods, setups, and procedures.
• Serve as a technical consultant for staff when they perform tests.
• Participate in Lead meetings and staff meetings to collaborate with other lead workers.

Equipment & Inventory Management

• Perform equipment troubleshooting and communicate directly with vendors for support.
• Ensure periodic maintenance is performed and properly documented in current logs.
• Monitor supply and reagent inventory, coordinate with vendors, and order supplies.

Research & Administrative Support

• Lead method development, validation, and research when implementing new test methodologies.
• Coordinate activities with the Laboratory Supervisor to ensure resources are available.
• Handle special projects and other assignments from supervisors, the Lab Coordinator, or the Office Director.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• You’ll combine hands-on expertise with people leadership, laboratory operations, quality management, and continuous improvement.
• You’ll have the opportunity to strengthen laboratory services by developing staff and introducing methods and processes that improve testing quality and efficiency.
• Your teams’ testing directly contributes to one of the most successful public health initiatives in the USA by identifying rare but treatable disorders to prevent death or severe disability.
• You’ll work alongside laboratory, epidemiology, and public health partners whose combined efforts inform actions to prevent and control disease in Washington communities.

What You Bring:

You are an experienced laboratory professional who seamlessly bridges technical expertise with operational leadership. You understand the importance of quality systems and regulatory requirements, while also looking for practical ways to improve methods, workflows, and laboratory services. You provide clear technical direction, develop staff through coaching and mentorship, and approach performance and operational decisions thoughtfully and consistently. You work effectively across disciplines, value different perspectives and experiences, and understand that reliable laboratory science depends on strong partnerships, cultural humility, and a commitment to serving Washington’s diverse communities.

Minimum Qualifications: 

There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile. 

You must meet the personnel qualifications for high-complexity testing in accordance with 42 CFR § 493.1449. 

Option 1

• Four (4) years of experience working in a clinical laboratory; experience must also include 1 year in Newborn Screening.
• Completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by ABHES or CAAHEP; OR At least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high-complexity testing.
• Education, Training, and Experience that meets the requirements for high-complexity testing personnel under 42 CFR §493.1489 as follows: At least 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution that includes at least one of the following:
  • 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses. OR
  • 24 semester hours of science courses that include: 6 semester hours of chemistry; 6 semester hours of biology; and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination.

Option 2

• A bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, medical technology, or another qualifying field that meets the requirements for high-complexity testing personnel under 42 CFR §493.1489. 
• AND three (3) years of experience working in a clinical laboratory as follows; experience must also include 1 year in Newborn Screening.

Option 3

• A master’s degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, medical technology, or another qualifying field that meets the requirements for high-complexity testing personnel under 42 CFR §493.1489. 
• AND two (2) years of experience working in a clinical laboratory as follows; experience must also include 1 year in Newborn Screening.

Option 4

• A Doctoral degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, medical technology, or another qualifying field that meets the requirements for high-complexity testing personnel under 42 CFR §493.1489. 
• AND one (1) year of experience working in a clinical laboratory as follows; experience must also include 1 year in Newborn Screening.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Experience performing laboratory testing, including following established testing procedures and evaluating test and quality control results.
• Proficient in troubleshooting laboratory testing processes and instrumentation, including identifying potential testing or equipment issues and taking appropriate action within established procedures.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and quality control principles, including documentation, equipment maintenance, test performance, and corrective action.
• Experience providing technical guidance, training, or support to laboratory staff on testing methods, procedures, instrumentation, or laboratory practices.
• Skilled in reviewing and interpreting laboratory test results for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established testing and quality requirements.

PHL technical personnel who perform testing or other tasks that require the ability to distinguish colors must be evaluated for color discrimination. This evaluation is required to maintain compliance with the Public Health Laboratories’ College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation requirements.

This position may require vaccinations based on potential exposure to laboratory contaminants, as determined by management and applicable laboratory safety requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience performing newborn screening or other high-complexity clinical laboratory testing.
• Experience providing lead-worker support, including coordinating or prioritizing laboratory work, reviewing the work of others, or serving as a technical resource.
• Experience developing, validating, verifying, or implementing laboratory testing methods.
• Advanced experience troubleshooting complex laboratory testing processes or instrumentation.
• Experience developing or revising laboratory procedures, quality control reports, validation documentation, or other technical laboratory documentation.
• Experience working with laboratory vendors, managing laboratory supplies or reagents, or coordinating equipment maintenance.
• Experience serving as a shift lead or providing laboratory operational coverage in the absence of a supervisor.

Employee Benefits 

We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance. You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you’re living today. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health. 

The Public Health Laboratories – Where Science Protects Communities

At the Public Health Laboratories, every test matters. From hunting emerging pathogens to ensuring every newborn in the state gets life-saving screenings, your work will drive disease detection, outbreak response, and protect Washington’s most vulnerable. We’re the state’s reference lab, tracking rare threats like rabies, hantavirus, and West Nile virus, analyzing outbreaks, and safeguarding food and water safety. Here, science meets service in a collaborative, equity-driven team committed to real-world impact and public health at scale.

About the Washington State Department of Health

We're nearly 2,700 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.

At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We're passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.

Working Conditions:

The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Setting:

• Work is performed on-site at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory in Shoreline, Washington.
• The position requires maneuvering and lifting packages and/or materials up to 25 pounds.
• The laboratory environment is noisy, may be stressful, and is fast paced.
• This position requires working with the following:
  • Infectious biological material from humans or animals or plants.
  • Dried blood (occasionally whole blood) and various laboratory chemicals that can cause illness, skin irritation, or breathing problems.

Schedule:

• The DOH Public Health Laboratory operates Monday through Saturday and most holidays; the individual in this position must participate in the Saturday holiday schedule rotation and Sunday standby rotations. 
• This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week; however, the position may be expected to work longer hours to complete projects or assignments, and/or meet business demands and deadlines, and/or during the annual legislative session. An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the employee's request, subject to supervisory approval.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel is not required to perform the duties of this position; however occasional travel may be expected to attend meetings, trainings, or conferences. 
• When driving for state business, the employee must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; OR provide alternate transportation while on state business.

Tools & Equipment:

• Duties require use of incubators, refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, fume hoods, automatic immunoassay systems, fluorescent readers, pipettes, card punchers, tandem mass spectrometers, conventional and real-time PCR platforms, and other typical lab equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Duties also require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (such as a desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine).

Customer Interactions:

• The position will interact with Newborn screening staff, office director, lead workers, vendors, follow-up staff, support staff, health care providers/customers and staff in other offices in the building.

Other:

• This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
• The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. 
• This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities. 

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.

Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).

DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation.

Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a 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

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve. 

DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. 

Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Kristina Cox, Talent Acquisition Consultant/Recruiter at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference DOH8979 in the subject. 

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for 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 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.

This position is located in King County. The advertised pay includes a 5% location-based salary adjustment.