Job Details

Antibiotic Resistance Lab Network Regional Coordinator

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL) is responsible for the diagnostics, education, and applied research programs for identification, surveillance, control, and prevention of bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases originating in humans. MDL works closely with the CDPH Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program, CDPH Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Control Branch, California local public health departments and laboratories, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (AR Lab Network) to provide testing support to detect and characterize antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, including carbapenem-resistant organisms (CPO), Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Candida auris.

Under the direction of the CDPH MDL Branch Chief, and the AR Lab Network Coordinator Supervisor, the AR Lab Network Regional Coordinator will provide overall coordination for AR Lab Network activities in their region, which will include facilitating communication and outreach for submitting clinical and public health laboratories; coordinating specimen submission from laboratories and healthcare facilities; ensuring prompt and accurate reporting of results to submitters and epidemiologists; gathering, analyzing, and reporting on data elements needed to help guide response and prevention activities; and reporting to CDPH and CDC as part of AR Lab Network project activities.

This position is funded by the CDC's Strengthening HAI/AR Programs (SHARP) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grant.

The salary range for this position is $88,000/year to $96,000 depending on experience/qualifications. If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require an accommodation).

Essential functions include compiling, maintaining, analyzing, and disseminating antimicrobial resistance testing and epidemiology data and reports, assisting the HAI program in the development, distribution, and analysis of epidemiological surveys or other types of epidemiology studies where the laboratory testing expertise is needed, assisting in the development and implementation of jurisdictional antimicrobial resistance surveillance and response activities, implementing data system testing tasks to detect anomalies in data quality for AR Lab Network submissions, working to improve data quality, timeliness, and utility for AR Lab Network reporting and submissions, serving as a liaison with key state, regional, and federal partners to establish laboratory submission standards and establish and maintain bidirectional communications between partners, conducting outreach and education to laboratory submitters and other stakeholders to ensure continued engagement, build relationships and new partnerships, and promote understanding of AR Lab Network processes, developing tools and resources to support laboratory submission and data entry, supporting development and sharing of best practices for data quality assurance and laboratory submissions, coordinating specimen collection and submission for testing both in the state lab and the AR Lab Network regional lab where applicable, tracking submission from sentinel laboratories and working with appropriate jurisdictional partners to optimize appropriate and consistent laboratory submission, participating in team meetings and workgroups to provide input and support to AR Lab Network, and other AR Lab Network-related duties as assigned.

Job qualifications include interdisciplinary project management and coordination experience in a public health, healthcare, or related setting, qualified candidates must have applicable professional experience for a minimum of 1 year for Master's degree-level applicants, or a minimum of 3 years for Bachelor's degree-level applicants, data analysis experience using statistical software, experience in laboratory, antimicrobial resistance / HAI / infection control from a public health agency is preferred.

Education/experience includes possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university in a biological or medical science, or related public health degree (e.g., Masters' of Public Health), data analysis experience using statistical software, experience in laboratory, antimicrobial resistance / HAI / infection control from a public health agency is preferred.

Physical demands include standing frequently, walking frequently, sitting frequently, handling / fingering occasionally, reach outward occasionally, reach above shoulder occasionally, climb, crawl, kneel, bend occasionally, lift / carry occasionally - up to 30 lbs., push/pull occasionally - up to 30 lbs., see constantly, taste/smell not applicable.

Work environment includes laboratory setting, indoor and airflow and temperature controlled.

EEOC Statement: It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.