Public Health Laboratory Director

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. As a local Department of Health, FCHD promotes population health, protects public health and the environment, and ensure that Fairfax residents have access to health services and information. Developing a competent public health workforce is integral to the department's mission. We invite you to apply to become a member of our thriving workforce, together making a difference in the health of our community!

The Fairfax County Health Department is seeking an experienced and dedicated laboratory professional to lead the Fairfax County Health Department Laboratory (FCHDL) as its Public Health Laboratory Director. FCHDL is the only local public health laboratory in the Commonwealth of Virginia and plays a critical role in protecting public health by performing approximately 200,000 tests annually. FCHDL provides comprehensive medical and environmental laboratory testing in support of the health department's public health clinics and environmental programs. These services are essential to disease surveillance, the identification of emerging infectious diseases, environmental hazard assessment, substance abuse testing, and monitoring the safety of drinking water.

This position leads, manages and directs all activities of the Fairfax County Public Health Laboratory (FCHDL) ensuring analysis of specimens and samples used in the diagnosis and treatment of illness, disease prevention, substance abuse testing and monitoring drinking water safety. As a division director, provides leadership to a large division and participates in policy development for agency-wide efforts which focus on building a stronger, and more integrated local public health laboratory system. Provides management and oversight of the development of policies, procedures, processes and best practices; determines goals and priorities. Ensures compliance with federal, state and local policies and programs; develops and manages division expenditures, annual budget and grants, contractual services, performance measures and personnel resources. Identifies and monitors trends impacting public health and plans and implements strategies to address these trends including disease surveillance, prevention and control. Maintains laboratory certification for both clinical and environmental testing in accordance with state and federal regulations. The laboratory supports key health department programs including Tuberculosis (TB), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Rabies, and the Disease Carrying Insects Program. It conducts a wide range of tests for conditions and diseases of public health importance.

As the laboratory director, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding public health in one of the most diverse and dynamic counties in the nation. This is an opportunity to lead a high-performing team, strengthen community health protections, and shape the future of public health laboratory services.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact, mission-driven laboratory at the forefront of public health in one of the most populous and diverse counties in Virginia.

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(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Extensive knowledge and experience managing high-complexity clinical or public health laboratory operations, including oversight of testing and quality systems;
Demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience, including workforce development, team management, and performance evaluation;
Knowledge and expertise in the areas of chemical and microbiological laboratory analysis;
Working knowledge of bacteriology, virology, serology, parasitology, mycology, and chemistry as they relate to the functions of the public health laboratory, with comprehensive knowledge in at least one of these fields;
Knowledge of public health programs related to communicable disease control and surveillance;
Knowledge and experience in laboratory safety programs, security protocols, and regulatory compliance (e.g. CLIA, EPA, FDA, VaDEQ, etc.);
Knowledge and experience with laboratory information management systems and facility design, construction, and equipment planning;
Proficiency in administrative and operational functions, including procurement, budgeting, cost allocation, and contract management;
Knowledge of accreditation standards, quality assurance, Total Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) practices;
Experience in strategic planning, policy development, and implementation of laboratory initiatives in coordination with public health objectives;
Ability to interpret and apply legal, regulatory, and chain-of-custody protocols in laboratory operations;
Skills in statistical and analytical methods as applied to laboratory testing and data interpretation;
Effective communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to produce detailed reports and recommendations;
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including prioritizing tasks, delegating assignments, and monitoring outcomes;
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across disciplines and lead teams to consensus and action;
Proven ability to solve complex problems using logical, data-driven, and proactive approaches.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Doctoral degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution; OR: Refer to the equivalency in section 3B(1) and 3B(2) in the 493.1443 Standard Laboratory Director Qualifications;
AND be certified and continue to be certified by a board approved by HHS; Plus, Two (2) years of Laboratory training and/or experience performing high complexity laboratory testing, AND Two (2) years of experience directing or supervising high complexity laboratory testing.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Be board certified and maintain certification by a board approved by HHS; *493.1443(b)(3) such as the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM), American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC), American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB), or another HHS-approved board certifying Laboratory Directors for high complexity testing;

Possession of a valid Motor Vehicle Driver's license
CPR (Required within 60 days)
AED (Required within 60 days)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and a credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

Qualified candidates must meet the personnel qualifications outlined in CLIA regulation 42 CFR * 493.1443 and hold certification from an HHS-approved board [* 493.1443(b)] to manage and oversee laboratory personnel and high-complexity testing;
Required training and experience must be obtained in a clinical laboratory performing tests on human specimens to provide information used in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring an individual's condition. This experience must meet the CLIA definition of a laboratory under * 493.2 and cannot be from facilities exempt from CLIA under * 493.3;
Training or experience gained in research laboratories (reporting only aggregate results) or forensic laboratories does not qualify, as such facilities are exempt from CLIA oversight under * 493.3(b) and are not applicable to clinical laboratory settings;

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two or more years of experience working for a public health organization or/and health care entity and Laboratories.
• Two or more years of progressively responsible experience in a senior-level leadership role overseeing and/or managing high complexity testing.
• Five or more years of direct experience managing procurements, contracts and contractors.
• Five or more years of direct experience managing budgets.
• Five or more years of Laboratory supervisory experience.
• Thorough knowledge of CLIA regulations
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective relationships; exceptional interpersonal skills and effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent communication skills, strong experience working with ethnically diverse populations and interdisciplinary stakeholders.
• Strong ability to build, maintain and promote collaborative connections with internal and external partners
• Ability to work independently and lead interdisciplinary teams and projects.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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