Chemist 2 - DOH8954

State of Washington•King County - Shoreline, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time onsite position located at our Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline, WA. As the Newborn Screening Laboratory Scientist, you will perform specialized laboratory testing that helps identify serious but treatable disorders in newborns across Washington State. You will analyze a high volume of blood specimens using advanced laboratory instrumentation, evaluate quality control data, troubleshoot equipment, and ensure accurate, timely test results. Your work also includes preparing specimens and reagents, maintaining laboratory records, and contributing to continuous improvements in laboratory methods and processes. Every test performed in this role has the potential to identify a life-threatening condition before symptoms appear, allowing infants to receive treatment as early as possible. By producing reliable laboratory results, you play a direct role in supporting healthcare providers and helping Washington's newborns get the best possible start in life.

Requirements

Five (5) or more years of experience performing chemical, biochemical, molecular analysis, or clinical laboratory testing in an analytical laboratory.
Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, or a health-related field which includes 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of chemistry and at least one course and one lab in molecular biology; AND two years of experience performing chemical, biochemical, molecular analysis, or clinical laboratory testing in an analytical laboratory.
Master’s degree or higher in chemistry, microbiology; AND six (6) or more months of experience performing chemical, biochemical, molecular analysis, or clinical laboratory testing in an analytical laboratory
Experience operating and troubleshooting scientific laboratory instrumentation.
Experience following laboratory quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) procedures.
Experience maintaining laboratory records and documenting analytical test results.
Proficient in using standard computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and shared network file systems to support laboratory operations and documentation.
Experience preparing laboratory reagents, standards, controls, or other testing materials.
Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or other computerized laboratory data systems.
Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) or comparable laboratory quality systems.
Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and the safe handling of biological specimens and laboratory chemicals.
Experience working in a high-volume laboratory environment while managing multiple testing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a CLIA certified or other regulated clinical or public health laboratory.
Experience performing newborn screening, clinical diagnostic testing, or other high volume laboratory testing.
Experience operating tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrophoresis, immunoassay platforms, molecular testing platforms, or similar analytical instrumentation.
Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
Experience performing method verification, validation, or quality improvement activities.
Experience troubleshooting complex laboratory instrumentation.
Experience supporting implementation of new laboratory methods, equipment, or testing processes.
Experience working with DNA based testing or molecular diagnostic techniques.

Responsibilities

Perform biochemical and molecular testing on newborn blood specimens using advanced laboratory instrumentation and analytical methods.
Evaluate quality control and quality assurance data, investigate abnormal or questionable results, and ensure testing meets established laboratory standards.
Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory instruments to support accurate and efficient testing.
Prepare, sort, evaluate, and process newborn specimens to ensure they are suitable for testing and analysis.
Prepare laboratory reagents, standards, and quality control materials while maintaining testing records, laboratory documentation, and supply inventories.
Provide cross-training and backup support for additional newborn screening tests to maintain laboratory operations and timely reporting.
Contribute to laboratory quality improvement initiatives by assisting with method validation, new technologies, equipment implementation, and process improvements.