Lab Manager

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

General Description:

Under the direction of the Newborn Screening Hemoglobinopathy and Enzyme & Immunoassay Screening Branch Manager, performs highly complex (senior-level) managerial work administering daily laboratory-related operations and activities such as safety, support, testing, and quality assurance of laboratory samples received from submitters throughout the State of Texas and beyond. Ensures functions overseen meet federal and state regulations for laboratory testing. Establishes and ensures adherence to laboratory and safety-related standard operating procedures and quality assurance regulations/guidelines. Supervises personnel through monitoring, coaching, and evaluations. Provides direction, guidance, and assistance to staff supervised. Establishes goals and objectives for continuous improvement to laboratory operations including but not limited to laboratory testing, quality management system, and laboratory safety. Monitors procurement, contracting, and fiscal aspects of the operations of laboratory functions overseen. Provides laboratory-related professional consultation, technical expertise, and guidance to laboratory management, customers, professional organizations, and staff. Works under limited supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

EJF 1 (40%). Administration of daily laboratory-related operations and activities of the Enzyme & Immunoassay Screening Group, such as safety, support, testing, and quality assurance laboratory testing of laboratory samples received from submitters throughout the State of Texas and beyond.  Ensures analytical accuracy of testing performed in the area through regular reviews of Quality Control, Quality Assurance and proficiency surveys for Galactosemia and Cystic Fibrosis screening. Ensures functions overseen meet federal and state regulations for laboratory testing including but not limited to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   Analyzes complex scientific and regulatory information and reaches appropriate solutions. Composes and reviews policies, standard operating procedures, and detailed laboratory-related reports. Develops, maintains, and ensures compliance with a laboratory-wide quality assurance and safety program. Identifies opportunities for improvement of laboratory-related operations, evaluates problems, and proposes solutions. Assists with implementation of changes resulting from changed or new legislation related to functions overseen. Confers with executive management to develop strategic plans. Establishes goals and objectives for continuous improvement to laboratory operations including but not limited to laboratory testing, quality management system, and laboratory safety.

EJF 2. (35%) Hires, supervises, trains, mentors and evaluates staff. Provides or coordinates training for staff on laboratory functions overseen, unique quality and safety requirements of specific regulatory agencies, continuous quality improvement methods, and problem-solving techniques. Assigns tasks and establishes deadlines; performs all required supervisory human resource activities including preparing performance plans and evaluations within established time frames.

EJF 3. (20%) Develops goals, oversees implementation, and manages resources and budgets.  Plans and manages purchasing, maintenance contracts, equipment, and other laboratory-related procurements for functions overseen. Determines appropriate specifications for testing reagents, service contracts, and equipment. Ensures purchases, delivery, and inventory for adequate supplies are made to meet laboratory needs. Provides personnel, expendable supplies and services, and equipment needs to management. Assures cost-effective and efficient workflow by researching, developing, and implementing new laboratory-related procedures, techniques, and policies. Provides laboratory-related professional consultation, technical expertise and guidance to laboratory management, customers, professional organizations, and staff. Maintains technical knowledge and proficiency through study of peer-review journals and attendance at scientific meetings. May assist with peer review audits as instructed by Lab Director.

EJF4. (5%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment/location. Assures adequate contingency plans for testing, quality assurance, and safety. 

Licensure, Certification or Registration Required:

N/A

Knowledge Skills, and Abilities required: 

Comprehensive knowledge of public health laboratory technology, techniques, and terminology specific for the Group's testing activities.

• Comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to operating a public health testing laboratory.

• Extensive knowledge of quality control and quality assurance principles and regulations.

• Knowledge of laboratory safety including sample-handling techniques.

• Knowledge of statistics and their application to biological data; ability to review and make recommendations based on study data.

• Ability to detect and troubleshoot analytical problems that could influence test results such as problems with reagents, equipment, test calibration, and employee performance.  

• Ability to use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting.

• Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience.

• Skill to manipulate laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.

• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise personnel and maintain work schedules for completion of critical laboratory services on a high volume of specimens.

• Ability to communicate technical instructions and to interact effectively with staff.

• Ability to work in harmony with other team members.

• Ability to lead co-workers by setting a positive work-ethic example.

• Ability to recognize and solve work area problems.

• Ability to teach work area procedures to subordinates and guests.

• Ability to conduct personnel interviews and evaluations.

• Knowledge of human interaction dynamics and their use in building effective work teams. 

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to both internal and external customers.

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and protocols and to keep accurate, detailed records.

• Ability to interact with customers on a variety of concerns including complaints.

• Ability to establish goals and objectives for work teams and to monitor progress of teams. 

• Knowledge of budgetary and material management procedures.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Have an earned bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, required.
• Experience in laboratory, required. Preferred 5 years of experience in newborn screening, clinical chemistry and/or high-volume work environment.
• Experience in training, mentoring, or coaching staff.
• Experience with quality assurance required. Experience with CAP/CLIA, preferred.
• Experience leading a project or a team. Supervisory/Managerial experience, preferred.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form