Public Health Laboratory Consultant 3 (Safety Officer)

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Division of Laboratory Services (DLS) provides clinical and environmental laboratory testing services through two public health laboratories located in Nashville and Knoxville. This position is based at the central public health laboratory, a dedicated facility with over 180 full time employees in Nashville. This position will report to the Assistant Director of Laboratory Operations and will serve as the primary subject matter expert on laboratory safety while also overseeing laboratory outreach.

This position is part of the Laboratory Operations division and provides support to both clinical and environmental divisions for both TDH laboratory locations.  This position provides laboratory staff with guidance on biological and chemical safety, biosecurity, regulatory management, and training necessary for the testing sections to safely perform laboratory duties.  The safety officer also serves as the Responsible Official or Alternate Responsible Official for the laboratory’s select agent program.

Responsibilities:

• Train, assist, and provide guidance to all public health lab staff on biological, chemical, and general safety during normal operations as well as during times of public health emergencies.
• Ensure all laboratory sections implement and maintain standards of compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., OSHA, CLIA, DSAT, etc.) and other applicable certifying and accrediting organizations (e.g., CAP, ISO 17025).
• Work with Alternate Responsible Officials and/or Responsible Official and Bioterrorism Coordinator to regularly review and maintain Select Agent records and processes to ensure compliance with DSAT regulations.
• Conduct regular safety meetings, internal audits, and train personnel on safety processes.
• Oversee laboratory evacuation processes and coordinate with lab evacuation team, facilities management, security, and administration.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for staff on all biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, and other safety equipment, including oversight of certification, repair, and decontamination.
• Collaborate with the Knoxville Regional Laboratory and laboratory leadership to standardize and optimize safety and security processes.
• Review of laboratory documents including standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
• Review, offer mitigation strategies, and assist with reporting of laboratory incidents and accidents.
• Oversee staff vaccinations and TB monitoring for clinical laboratory testing staff.
• Provide input and safety subject matter expertise during the construction of the new public health laboratory facility.

Required Education/Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology, or biochemistry), medial laboratory science, pre-medicine, or successful completion of an accredited medical laboratory science program.
• Have a minimum three (3) years of full-time professional work in the laboratory field.

Desirable Education/Experience:

• Have or be eligible for a TN supervisors license.
• Have at least two years of management or supervisory experience.
• Have at least two years of experience in safety and laboratory regulations (e.g., OSHA and CLIA), accreditation (e.g., CAP and A2LA), and certification (e.g., EPA, ISO17025, ISO9001).
• Current knowledge of laboratory safety and security practices, including risk assessment and mitigation.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams of professionals with various levels of experience and technical expertise.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to set priorities, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate information.