Texas Department of State Health Services · 11 hours ago
Enzyme and Immunoassay Team Lead
Austin, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$5,789/mo - $6,947/moThe Texas Department of State Health Services is dedicated to public health and is seeking an Enzyme and Immunoassay Team Lead to oversee the daily activities and operations of the EIA Screening Group. This role involves ensuring quality assurance, performing complex analyses, and managing team workflows while providing exceptional customer service.
Health Care
Responsibilities
Oversees the daily testing activities of the EIA Screening Group. Prioritizes work, schedules and plans workflow, makes assignments among team members, and oversees progress of assigned tasks so that quality results are reported without interruption within established turnaround times and that reports are accurate. Responsible for making significant decisions on the accuracy of laboratory tests on human specimens. Identifies and documents instrument and equipment problems, performs troubleshooting, makes adjustments as indicated. Notifies the Group Manager immediately of any significant issues or delays. Consults with and keeps Group Manager up to date on method performance and technical issues. Reviews and submits purchasing requests to ensure an inventory of testing supplies and reagents are available as needed. Supports both Group and Branch Manager as needed to ensure testing is successful. (30%)
Oversees the quality assurance activities of the EIA Screening Group. Ensures high quality of analytical reporting is maintained. Performs and documents periodic quality control review, including equipment maintenance and performance, proficiency testing records, temperature and humidity monitoring, specimen workload tallies, training and competency records, and supply inventory to ensure consistently acceptable quality assurance and test performance. Maintains, updates, and develops Standard Operating Protocols (SOP) and training materials. Identifies discrepancies and recommends, implements, and documents corrective actions and outcomes. Coordinates, and conducts the evaluation, optimization, validation and implementation of new methods to screen neonatal screening specimens as required by CAP/CLIA. Ensures instruments and equipment, including laboratory information system equipment, are maintained for optimum performance and minimum downtime. Schedules equipment preventive maintenance according to standard operating procedures to ensure equipment preventive maintenance is completed by the schedule. Perform complex data analysis to determine acceptable instrument and method performance. (30%)
Performs highly complex analysis on high volume neonatal screening specimens. Evaluates and interprets highly complex data assigning final results. Performs, as needed, high volume sampling of filter paper specimens, standards, and controls for all newborn screening tests. Uses technical knowledge to determine specimen acceptability. Completes all documentation with required information. Uses expert knowledge to investigate, interpret, assess, review, and resolve problems with atypical results, consulting with the Group and Branch Manager as necessary. Reviews and releases final results using the laboratory information management system. Identifies, documents, and resolves quality issues with laboratory data. Cross-checks positive mailed report verifying abnormal reports are correct. Monitors that preparation of final report timelines are met. (15%)
Provides excellence in customer service to internal and external customers. Serves as a knowledgeable resource to laboratory personnel on difficult instrumentation and analytical issues. May consult with physicians and public health staff regarding specimen collection and submission requirements, test results and interpretation, and is the point of contact for technical matters related to the work of the Group. Performs administrative functions including completing regular reports and ad hoc reports, attending meetings and storing records. Notifies Manager of technical or personnel problems that impact the functioning of the laboratory. Participates in preparing Group budgets, assessing equipment and staffing requirements. Conducts technical presentations, training, and tours for external customers and students. Conducts and coordinates research, evaluation and development projects to assure state of the art testing. Researches new procedures independently and reports on their usefulness, and determines the appropriate specifications for reagents and equipment and presents to the Manager. Coordinates research projects and implements new procedures as appropriate. Assists in grant writing and submission. Promotes teamwork and excellent customer service with manager, co-workers, and internal and external customers. (10%)
Assist in staffing management. Monitors and provides feedback to manager on group members’ technical performance as well as staffing requirements. Trains employees on instrument maintenance and on performing analytic assays adhering to standard operating protocols. Completes and maintains training records. Recommends appropriate training and education for staff and job description updates for area positions. Coordinates and participates in interview and selection process, recommending best applicant for positions. Communicates information to staff as necessary. Encourages communication throughout the area. (10%)
Performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. (5%)
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution
Experience in laboratory testing
Experience with complex laboratory instrumentation and equipment
Experience in training, mentoring, or coaching staff
Supervisory experience
Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory, clinical chemistry, quality control, quality assurance, CLIA/CAP regulations and immunofluorometric principles, techniques, and terminology
Knowledge of laboratory safety including sample-handling techniques
Knowledge of personnel management and supervisory skills including team, interpersonal, leadership and motivational skills
Advanced knowledge of math and statistics as applied to laboratory science
Ability to maintain, recognize and solve staff and specimen work schedules for completion of critical laboratory services on a high volume of specimens
Ability to perform analytical procedures, detect and troubleshoot analytical problems that could influence test results such as problems with reagents, equipment, test calibration, and employee performance
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to both internal and external customers
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
Ability to interact effectively with staff and work in harmony with other team members and lead co-workers by setting a positive work-ethic example
Ability to work as part of a management team ensuring structured deadlines are met for completion of critical high volume laboratory procedures both at the analytical bench level and at the managerial/administrative task level
Ability to supervise personnel and make personnel decisions based on professional knowledge, experience and DSHS policy
Ability to work independently, organize, multi-task and self-motivate as appropriate to complete tasks without close supervision
Ability to follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately
Ability to keep accurate, detailed records
Ability to use aseptic techniques when working with infectious material
Ability to maintain work area instruments and automated testing equipment
Ability to teach work area procedures to coworkers and guests using laboratory technical and training skills
Ability to prepare diagnostic (analytical) reagents and/or controls accurately
Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others
Ability to make technical decisions and use mature judgment in test interpretation based on professional knowledge and experience
Ability to use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting
Skill to manipulate standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety
Preferred
Preferred experience in clinical testing (newborn screening, clinical chemistry and/or high-volume workload)
Preferred supervisory experience
Benefits
Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
Required Hepatitis B immunizations are provided
Company
Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Department of State Health Services focuses on public health to promote and protect the health of Texans & their communities.
Founded in 2015
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Texas Department of State Health Services has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2024 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Carolyn Barrett
Senior Advisor to DSHS CFO
Christy Havel Burton
Chief Financial Officer
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