As a Chemist 2, you’ll be at the heart of the Department of Health’s mission to improve infant health, working hands-on in a state-of-the-art lab. Your days will be filled with purpose as you process and test a high volume of newborn blood samples, using cutting-edge equipment like tandem mass spectrometers and high-pressure liquid chromatography to detect treatable heritable disorders. You’ll be the one interpreting preliminary results, troubleshooting complex instruments, and ensuring every test meets rigorous standards, knowing that your keen eye and steady hands could be the key to a child’s healthy future.

In this dynamic position, you’re not just running tests, you’re a problem-solver and innovator. Picture yourself preparing specimens with precision, punching dried blood spots, and programming systems to keep the lab humming efficiently. You’ll maintain a steady flow of reagents and supplies, document every detail, and even step up to support your team by analyzing results or tackling quality control checks. Beyond the routine, you’ll have the chance to collaborate on new procedures and technologies, helping to push the boundaries of newborn screening. It’s a role where your expertise and curiosity come together, making a tangible difference, one tiny sample at a time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct Testing with Advanced Technology: 
  • This role involves using sophisticated lab equipment, such as tandem mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography, to analyze newborn blood samples for treatable disorders. 
  • Responsibilities include measuring components like amino acids, hormones, and DNA, ensuring accuracy by monitoring quality controls, troubleshooting equipment, and investigating unusual results for further analysis.
• Prepare Samples Efficiently: 
  • The position requires sorting, evaluating, and punching dried blood spots to prepare specimens for initial and repeat testing, ensuring a smooth and precise process from start to finish.
• Maintain Lab Operations: 
  • Tasks include preparing reagents, tracking inventory, and keeping detailed records of samples and test results. 
  • The role also involves supporting the team by performing tests, conducting quality checks, and submitting routine reports to supervisors to keep everything running seamlessly.
• Drive Improvement and Teamwork: 
  • This position contributes to lab advancements by helping to refine procedures, testing new technologies, and validating methods or equipment. 
  • Additional duties include assisting with special research projects, mailing results, organizing lab spaces, and participating in collaborative efforts to enhance newborn screening outcomes.

Option 1: Five (5) or more years of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Option 2: Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, or a health-related field which includes 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of chemistry and at least one course and one lab in molecular biology; AND two or more years of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Option 3: Master’s degree in chemistry or microbiology; AND at least six (6) months of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory

AND the following experience:

• Proficient in using standard desktop software such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases, and file storage on shared network servers.
• Demonstrated proficiency in operating and troubleshooting laboratory instruments (e.g. tandem mass spectrometers, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, electrophoresis equipment, and other common lab equipment)
• Skilled in applying quality improvement tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and overall quality (QA tools can be Levey-Jenning QC charts, EP Evaluator Reports for different QC and QA requirements, etc.).
• Familiarity with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures.

About Washington State Department of Health

Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To accomplish all of these, we collaborate with many partners every day. We help ensure a safer and healthier Washington by: Working to improve health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, and newborn screening Providing health and safety information, education and training so people can make healthy choices Promoting a health and wellness system where we live, learn, work, play and worship Addressing environmental health hazards associated with drinking water, food, air quality and pesticide exposure Protecting you and your family by licensing healthcare professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies

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