Agency Marketing Statement

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 7 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform the duties of the Senior Public Service Administrator over the Clinical Diagnostic and Environmental testing units in the Chicago Laboratory. This position plans, develops, organizes, and controls the clinical and environmental testing programs. Ensures testing within the section maintains compliance with laboratory statutes and regulations. Serves as technical supervisor for high complexity testing, selects appropriate test methodologies, verifies performance of test procedures, establishes appropriate proficiency testing programs, and oversees all quality assurance aspects of the lab. Participates in grant writing, identifying, and tracking progress of grant milestones, and reporting of milestones to Federal and State funding agencies, creates and monitors laboratory budgets, and serves as working supervisor.

Job Responsibilities

1. Plans, develops, organizes, and controls the clinical and environment testing units of the Chicago Laboratory.

• Ensures compliance with federal and accrediting regulatory guidelines
• Research new test methods for development and implementation within assigned areas and the Division of Laboratories
• Conducts analysis of samples for new test implementation
• Participates in grant writing, identifying and tracking progress of grant milestones, and reporting of milestones to Federal and State funding agencies

2. Serves as full-line supervisor:

• Assigns and reviews work
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
• Counsels staff regarding work performance
• Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs
• Establishes annual goals and objectives
• Approves time off
• Adjusts first level grievances
• Effectively recommends and imposes discipline up to and including discharge
• Prepares, delivers, and signs performance evaluations
• Determines and recommends staffing needs

3. Serves as technical supervisor for high complexity testing involving molecular diagnostic methods.
• Collaborates with State, local public health program directors, and the Laboratory Division Chief to provide appropriate and cost-effective testing methods
• Identifies adequate funding and staffing for testing methods
• Selects appropriate test methodologies

Job Responsibilities (cont)

• Makes recommendations for improvements
• Verifies performance of test procedures, establishes appropriate HHS approved proficiency testing programs
• Establishes and monitors relevant Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs
• Evaluates the competency of all testing personnel and assures that testing competency is maintained through appropriate in-service training and education

4. Conducts applied research; documents findings, evaluates new procedures, recommends implementation of new procedures into the laboratory test menu.

5. Develops testing protocols and reporting systems.

• Trains technical personnel in evaluation and conducting new procedures
• Coordinates cross-training of technical staff

6. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a Doctorate (PhD) degree in a chemical or biological science, such as biochemistry, physiology, immunology or equivalent, from an accredited academic institution.
2. Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible clinical laboratory experience in a clinical diagnostic laboratory, including experience in molecular microbiology and virology.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Extensive knowledge in all technical areas of molecular biology, including nucleic acid amplification and sequencing techniques.
2. Two years supervisory experience in a clinical laboratory.
3. Two years’ experience in a public health laboratory or commercial/industrial laboratory.
4. Two years’ progressively responsible leadership experience in a public health program.
5. Two years’ experience evaluating and implementing laboratory testing procedures.
6. Two years’ experience with applied laboratory research.
7. Two years’ experience evaluating and implementing procedures into laboratory analysis.