Overview
The Public Health Laboratory is the state’s reference lab, handling everything from detecting emerging pathogens to managing all newborn screenings for the state. Your work will directly support disease detection, outbreak response, and the health of Washington’s most vulnerable residents.
The Opportunity:
Join the Washington State Public Health Laboratories (PHL) in a critical role leading the STI Laboratory , which also provides backup support for the Tuberculosis (TB) Laboratory. Your work will directly support communicable disease surveillance and diagnosis, including HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis, and TB. This position is essential to the health and safety of Washington residents—managing complex laboratory testing, supporting outbreak response, and ensuring timely reporting to partners across the state.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead daily operations of the Syphilis and HIV (STI) laboratory unit, ensuring accurate and timely testing.
Perform and document staff training, competency assessments, and remedial training when needed.
Oversee laboratory testing processes, including RPR, VDRL, TP-PA, Syphilis CMIA, HIV Combo Ag/Ab CMIA, and HIV Supplemental Assay.
Review and release results, ensuring accuracy and compliance with turnaround times.
Troubleshoot technical issues and provide subject matter expertise to staff, stakeholders, and program representatives.
Validate and implement new testing methodologies, equipment, and procedures in compliance with CLIA and CAP standards.
Collaborate with the TB lab lead, epidemiologists, and state program staff to coordinate testing schedules, outbreak response, and reporting.
Maintain safety protocols for BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments.
Contribute to lab readiness for inspections, risk assessments, and quality improvement initiatives.
What We’re Looking For:
We’re seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented laboratory professional with:
Proven experience in diagnostic testing for STIs (HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis) and familiarity with TB testing procedures.
Strong skills in staff training, competency evaluation, and team leadership.
Proficiency in troubleshooting lab equipment, testing errors, and QC/QA issues.
Experience implementing new laboratory methods and maintaining compliance with safety and accreditation standards.
Commitment to accuracy, timely reporting, and excellent customer service to internal and external partners.
Ability to work on-site in a BSL-2/BSL-3 environment and respond to surge capacity needs during public health events.
About Washington Department of Health
At DOH, we safeguard public health in an ever-evolving world. Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs, and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily. We're driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.
