Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1-3

State of Louisiana • Baton Rouge, LA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana. Join the Louisiana Office of Public Health Laboratory and make a difference from the very start of life! In this position, you will perform complex analytical laboratory procedures in the Newborn Screening Department of the Louisiana Office of Public Health Laboratory in Baton Rouge. The Newborn Screening Laboratory is responsible for performing testing techniques using mass spectrometry, time resolved fluorescence, high performance liquid chromatography, isoelectric focusing, real time polymerase chain reaction, and mutational analysis. The Newborn Screening Laboratory serves as laboratory support for the Louisiana Genetics Disease Program to detect genetic and metabolic disorders that are present at the time of birth. If you’re passionate about science, precision, and improving health outcomes, we encourage you to apply!

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in a biological, environmental, or chemical science.
• Applicants must be able to pass a criminal background check and/or security clearance, including but not limited to those required for the Federal Select Agent Program and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners license requirements.
• For positions which involve processing and analysis of human specimens and/or the generation or interpretation of laboratory results that may be used in the diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition in humans, the incumbent must have a current license to practice as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist (CLS-G) or a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Specialist (CLS-S) issued by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME).
• A temporary license to practice as a CLS-G or a CLS-S issued by the LSBME shall fulfill this requirement only for the limited time granted by the LSBME.
• The incumbent is required to satisfy the requirements for a CLS-G or CLS-S permanent license prior to the expiration of the temporary license.

Responsibilities

• Receive and evaluate newborn screening specimens to ensure they meet established acceptance criteria.
• Maintain proper specimen handling, identification, and chain-of-custody procedures in accordance with laboratory requirements.
• Perform high-complexity newborn screening tests independently and accurately using approved laboratory methods.
• Ensure pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing processes meet applicable quality and regulatory standards.
• Use the laboratory information management system to track specimens, create patient records, and refer specimens for confirmatory testing.
• Maintain competency in applicable testing methodologies and ensure proper operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Participate in required proficiency testing and quality assurance activities to support timely and accurate reporting of newborn screening results.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level