Newborn Screening Program Director (WMS 3) - DOH8895

State of Washington•King County - Shoreline, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time onsite position located at our Public Health Laboratories located in Shoreline, WA. The Opportunity: As the Newborn Screening Program Director, you will lead Washington’s statewide newborn screening system, overseeing the laboratory, follow-up, epidemiology, operational, and clinical coordination work that helps identify life-threatening and disabling conditions in infants before symptoms appear. This role directs a large and highly specialized public health program responsible for screening every newborn in Washington, as well as infants born in Hawaii and Idaho through interstate partnerships. You will manage a complex regional program that includes clinical laboratory operations, public health follow-up systems, policy development, budget oversight, quality assurance, and partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, specialty clinics, and national organizations. The work requires balancing scientific, operational, regulatory, and strategic priorities while ensuring the program remains reliable, responsive, and aligned with evolving public health and laboratory standards. In this role, success depends not only on technical and operational expertise, but also on the ability to lead people with authenticity, communicate transparently, foster accountability, and proactively navigate complex challenges. We are seeking a leader who builds trust, develops strong teams, values diverse perspectives, and creates a culture where respect, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement thrive. This position plays a central role in protecting infants from preventable death and lifelong disability by ensuring newborn screening services are timely, accurate, equitable, and clinically effective. The work directly informs public health policy, supports statewide healthcare systems, and helps families access critical diagnostic and treatment services as early as possible.

Requirements

Option 1 – Non-degree Pathway: At least 10 years of experience in public health, clinical, biological, or chemical laboratory settings. Experience should include supervising staff and either program or operations management.
Option 2 – Education Pathway: A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, laboratory science, healthcare administration, epidemiology, biomedical science, or a closely related field, AND at least 8 years of experience in public health, clinical, biological, or chemical laboratory settings. Experience should include supervising staff and either program or operations management.
Two (2) or more years of experience supervising staff in a public health program or laboratory setting
Experience leading and managing complex public health, clinical, or laboratory programs
Experience working in regulated environments with quality, compliance, or accreditation requirements (e.g., CLIA, CAP, CDC, ISO)
Experience developing or implementing policies, procedures, or program standards
Experience managing budgets, contracts, or grant-funded programs
Experience working with external partners such as healthcare providers, government agencies, or community organizations
Experience working in or supporting laboratory-based or diagnostic programs
Knowledge of clinical laboratory operations, testing methodologies, and quality assurance practices
Knowledge of epidemiological principles and statistical methods used in public health
Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws, regulations, and public health standards

Nice To Haves

Experience leading or managing a newborn screening program or a public health laboratory program, including supervisory or senior-level management responsibilities
Knowledge of CLIA regulations and laboratory quality systems
Experience working with clinical laboratory systems, testing protocols, or laboratory accreditation standards
Experience with state or federal rulemaking, including working with governing bodies or advisory committees
Knowledge of congenital or metabolic disorders and related clinical follow-up systems
Experience working in a multi-state or regional program environment
Experience collaborating with national public health organizations or federal health agencies
Experience with data systems, epidemiology, or population health analytics
Knowledge of and ability to meet CLIA personnel requirements relevant to the role, including laboratory oversight and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage Washington’s regional newborn screening program, including laboratory operations, follow-up services, epidemiology, operations, and clinical coordination activities.
Direct a multidisciplinary program of approximately 46 staff and supervisors while fostering a workplace culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement.
Build strong, trusting relationships across teams by promoting open communication, active listening, transparency, respect, and shared problem solving in a complex public health environment.
Coach, mentor, and support staff and supervisors in developing leadership capacity, strengthening professional growth, and building high performing teams that value diverse perspectives and experiences.
Establish program policies, operational standards, and strategic priorities that ensure timely, accurate, and reliable newborn screening services across Washington, Hawaii, and Idaho.
Promote a culture of quality and continuous improvement while overseeing laboratory quality assurance, accreditation compliance, testing methodologies, and implementation of new screening technologies and operational improvements.
Guide statewide follow-up and case management systems to ensure infants with abnormal screening results receive timely diagnostic evaluation and clinical care.
Develop and manage multimillion dollar program budgets, contracts, grants, and resource planning activities that support long term program sustainability and service delivery.
Communicate clearly and effectively with staff, healthcare partners, executive leadership, policymakers, and community stakeholders to support collaboration, transparency, and informed decision making.
Partner with healthcare providers, specialty care clinics, state agencies, national organizations, and the Washington State Board of Health to strengthen newborn screening systems and inform policy decisions.
Lead strategic planning and policy development related to adding new conditions to the newborn screening panel, including rulemaking support, stakeholder engagement, operational readiness, and public health implementation planning.
Advance equitable and culturally responsive public health practices by ensuring services, partnerships, and systems effectively support diverse communities and populations across Washington and partner states.