Laboratory Examiner

Are you inspired to strengthen public health in your community as a Laboratory Examiner with the Department of Health? This role gives you the chance to help ensure that laboratories across the Commonwealth meet important safety and quality standards. You will learn from many different facilities and build strong technical knowledge. Join an agency that values accuracy, teamwork, and service to communities.

This position supports the mission of the Bureau of Laboratories by conducting inspections and reviews that help ensure clinical laboratories meet all required regulations. The work helps protect public health by confirming that testing practices are safe, accurate, and properly managed. As a Laboratory Examiner, you will perform the following duties:

• On-Site Reviews: Examine laboratory operations, testing procedures, personnel qualifications, and quality practices to confirm compliance with state and federal laws
• Compliance Actions: Prepare reports, evaluate correction plans, and recommend decisions about licensure, certification, or deficiency status
• Training Guidance: Provide technical direction to laboratory personnel to help strengthen understanding of procedures and quality standards
• Complaint Investigations: Visit facilities to assess concerns related to test accuracy, improper practices, or staff qualifications
• Proficiency Monitoring: Review external proficiency testing results to evaluate laboratory competency and identify performance issues
• Team Leadership: Coordinate team activities during inspections when larger facilities require a group review

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• This position requires frequent travel throughout the Commonwealth to conduct on-site inspections of clinical laboratories.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time based on operational needs after successfully completing a one-year training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Exton. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of professional laboratory work experience examining and performing testing on human specimens in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) certified clinical laboratory, and a bachelor’s degree in chemical science, biological science, or medical technology; or
• One year of professional laboratory work experience examining and performing testing on human specimens in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) certified clinical laboratory, and a master’s degree in chemical science, biological science, or medical technology.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• You must pass a background investigation.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. 
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.