Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Specialist

State of Connecticut • Rocky Hill, CT

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Specialist to support the Newborn Screening Program Follow-up and Tracking (NBST) Unit. This Program plays a critical role in ensuring that every newborn born or residing in Connecticut has a valid newborn screening on record, and that infants with abnormal results are promptly referred to specialized treatment centers for evaluation and care. These comprehensive efforts help prevent unnecessary disability, support healthy development, and reduce premature mortality among Connecticut’s youngest residents. This position is central to advancing the Program’s technical and operational capacity. The LIMS Specialist will lead the configuration and implementation of a new Laboratory Information Management System for the Newborn Screening Program, as well as ongoing maintenance and future system modifications as disorders are added or reporting algorithms evolve. Serving as the key liaison between the State Public Health Laboratory and the Bureau of Information Technology Solutions (BITS), this role supports laboratory compliance with accrediting bodies, ensures timely reporting of all results, contributes to daily quality improvement activities, and prepares aggregate program reports essential to newborn screening operations.

Requirements

• Eight (8) years of professional experience performing scientific work in a public health, general biological, clinical or chemical laboratory.
• Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the full working level in a laboratory working with complex instrumentation and laboratory information management systems.
• Considerable knowledge of laboratory information management systems
• Considerable knowledge of current laboratory methods, applications, examinations, equipment, instrumentation and material
• Considerable knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures
• Knowledge of universal laboratory precautions
• Considerable interpersonal skills
• Considerable oral and written communication skills
• Considerable ability to utilize computer software
• Ability to conduct analytical and consultative activities
• Ability to interpret laboratory findings

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the development, validation and implementation of the LIMS, including the development or revision of LIMS policies and procedures
• Experience with the evaluation, documentation and improvement of laboratory processes and systems performance to enhance overall laboratory quality assurance, quality improvement, quality control and to meet the requirements of accrediting agencies
• Experience with written and verbal communication and training activities directed towards laboratory staff, health care practitioners, parents and the public
• Experience and proficiency working with Microsoft Word, Excel, ACCESS, SAS, SPSS, R, Outlook, PowerPoint and other electronic documentation systems and databases and the creation of automated reports and queries using a LIMS system
• Experience with Maternal/Child Health, Newborn Screening, Public Health and/or population health screening and knowledge of relevant disease processes and medical terminology

Responsibilities

• Development, validation, implementation and ongoing maintenance of the NBS LIMS data and reporting system
• Creation, configuration, management and reporting of the LIMS reports routinely used for NBS Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance/Quality Control activities
• Preparation of training materials for LIMS processes
• Preparation of quarterly report cards related to hospital and testing timeliness
• NewSTEPs database reporting
• Preparation and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Development of data request form for NBS (for external requests) and responding to data requests (internal/external)
• Creation and management of the reports in LIMS for the statistical analysis for grant reporting and Annual positives report
• Creation, management and responsibility for missed scan report, disposition report, <24hr, UNSAT, Transfusion, Tickler within the new LIMS system
• Assisting with tracking of specimens, including contacting hospitals and other health care providers by phone when needed
• Initiating requests for samples for repeat newborn screening or reports positive results to the Newborn Diagnostic and Treatment Network (the Network) for follow up
• Following established NBS protocols and reports out of range NBS results to providers and hospitals
• Documenting all case specific interactions with providers, the Network and parents in the NBST database
• Collecting demographic/specimen information missing from the newborn’s record or NBS specimen card and entering into the NBST database and LIMS
• Creation of new cases for out-of-hospital births as well as confirmation of current health care provider for infant
• Assisting with reporting, preparation and faxing of NBS Hemoglobin trait letters
• Assisting with screening and directing incoming phone calls and emails
• Assisting with the monitoring of the dph.nbstracking mailbox and [email protected]
• Assisting with the development of material for and maintenance of digital educational offerings to stakeholders through the CT-Train Platform
• Oversees and coordinates the ongoing development, validation and implementation of the LIMS, including the development or revision of LIMS policies and procedures
• Conducts business analysis, including the integration of system requirements and gap analysis in collaboration with federal and state partners, stakeholders, vendors, laboratory staff and external clients
• Serves as a liaison between laboratory, fiscal and information technology staff on LIMS matters, including maintaining uninterrupted LIMS service and conducting upgrades to LIMS hardware, software, systems security, and instrumentation
• Develops and conducts training to laboratory staff and clients on existing and newly-developed LIMS functionalities, policies, and procedures
• Oversees the creation of automated reports and queries to evaluate laboratory and systems performance and to enhance overall laboratory quality assurance and quality control
• Supports laboratory compliance with requirements for certification and accreditation
• Retrieves data from LIMS at the request of management
• Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding LIMS matters
• May participate in workgroups to promote the electronic sharing of health information
• Performs related duties as required

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits
• Opportunities for leadership development, professional growth, and continued learning
• A supportive environment that values collaboration, compassion, and work/life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree