Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1-3

About This Job

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 in Baton Rouge as part of the Infectious Disease and Emerging Pathogens team. The IDEP department is responsible for performing laboratory diagnostic testing and surveillance for pathogens of public health concern and serves as laboratory support for the State Infectious Disease Epidemiologist in disease outbreak investigations and emergency response efforts. Methods used to detect and identify bacteria, viruses and toxins include real time PCR, next generation sequencing, Time Resolved Fluorescence tests and standard conventional bacteriological methods.

Applicants for this position must possess or be eligible to obtain a Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) clinical laboratory scientist license, which requires national certification by ASCP, AMT or AAB. Please see the LSBME website for details.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in a biological, environmental, or chemical science. SPECIAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: 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. CLINICAL TESTING POSITIONS: 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.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties and Other Information

Job Duties:

• Performs analytical laboratory testing for infectious diseases and emerging pathogens in accordance with established laboratory procedures.
• Conducts diagnostic testing and surveillance for bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other pathogens of public health concern.
• Performs real-time PCR testing for the detection and identification of infectious disease pathogens.
• Performs next-generation sequencing and other advanced molecular testing methods for pathogen identification and characterization.
• Conducts Time Resolved Fluorescence testing and conventional bacteriological procedures.
• Provides laboratory support for disease outbreak investigations and emergency response activities.
• Collaborates with public health epidemiology and laboratory teams to support disease surveillance, investigation, and response efforts.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Office of Public Health / Central Laboratory / East Baton Rouge Parish

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary or a Promotional appointment

Cost Center: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Position Number(s): 56171

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1, 2, or 3 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.