Lab Specialist - P0153
About The Position
Advance your laboratory career by applying to be a Laboratory Specialist for the Data IT Support Group! Join one of the nation’s most advanced state laboratories and make an impact that truly matters! In this role, you’ll play a vital role in protecting public health where you’ll gain experience by working in a collaborative laboratory environment, supporting critical testing that protects Virginia’s health, environment, and safety. The Virginia Department of General Services is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Laboratory Specialist for the Data IT Support Group for the Commonwealth’s Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), which is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation. With an annual budget of over 30 million dollars and over 250 state employees, DCLS performs approximately 9 million tests annually. Results from these tests are used confidently by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law enforcement officials serving to protect our citizens, food supply environment and commerce. DCLS is a member of several public health networks and emergency response groups; the Consolidated Laboratory also directs Commonwealth’s environmental laboratory accreditation program. The Data IT Support Group provides critical support to the Newborn Screening program, environmental testing, and other groups at DCLS. Virginia's Newborn Screening Program is a partnership between DCLS and the Virginia Department of Health to screen each baby born in Virginia for certain rare yet serious metabolic and genetic disorders.
Requirements
- Experience providing excellent customer service by investigating issues and resolving problems for internal and external customers.
- Experience with accessioning laboratory samples accurately.
- Experience with recording accurate documentation and strong alphanumeric data entry skills.
- Experience with using basic office equipment to include Microsoft Office applications (i.e. Word, Outlook and Teams).
- Knowledge of laboratory safety practices.
- Good technical skills, strong attention to detail, excellent oral and written communication, time management, sound decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to follow procedures, prioritize work and identify errors.
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in an open office environment with various noise levels.
- Ability to work independently with minimal oversight, train others, and serve as a team lead.
- Ability to serve on call weekends and holidays on a rotational basis.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling clinical records, client data, and/or testing results.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in a clinical and/or environmental laboratory.
- Experience with a laboratory information management system (LIMS).
- Experience as a team lead, training staff in accordance with policy and procedures, and/or prioritizing the work of others.
- Experience with following standard operating procedures (SOP) and quality assurance policies.
Responsibilities
- Receives and accessions Newborn Screening (NBS) samples to support moderate and high‑complexity testing.
- Serves as a primary customer service contact, providing reliable support to staff and clients.
- Performs data entry, results reporting, and tracks the timeliness of team workloads as assigned.
- Provides administrative and technical support to scientists and other higher‑level personnel, including monitoring department inventory, and maintaining accurate records.
- Supports quality assurance efforts by ensuring the accuracy and integrity of laboratory demographic data and outgoing mailings.
Benefits
- Excellent health benefits at affordable pricing
- Pre-tax spending accounts
- Paid life insurance
- Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits
- Paid holidays
- Vacation and other leave benefits
- Wellness programs
- State retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching
- Supplemental bus passes, ride share, or parking are available
- Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
