AR Lab Coordinator

Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance coverage

State benefits plan through ERS

Job summary

Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin seeks an AR Lab Coordinator to advance antibiotic/antimicrobial resistance laboratory education and surveillance. You will serve as the AR laboratory liaison, coordinating submissions, results, and reporting with CDC and ARLN, while expanding outreach and training activities.

You will lead education programs for providers and laboratories, develop materials, and maintain online content.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to Texas Notifiable Conditions and other infectious diseases.
• Ability to develop educational materials and present information to diverse audiences.
• Strong communication skills for bi-directional collaboration with AR and HAI program staff.

Responsibilities

• EFJ #1: Serve as the AR Laboratory liaison for submitters; manage submission and result reporting; coordinate with CDC and ARLN.
• EFJ #2: Plan and deliver educational programs and training to increase awareness and compliance; maintain AR testing materials and website content.
• EFJ #3: Facilitate bi-directional communication between AR Laboratory and HAI program staff; schedule meetings and track action items.
• EFJ #4: Develop evaluation methods for programs; analyze data and prepare reports; identify gaps and corrective actions.
• EFJ #5: Perform additional duties including disaster response and COOP readiness as required.

Skills

Public health policy knowledge

Communication

Data interpretation

Training & education

Program coordination

Tools

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

Access

Windows

Internet

Job description

Location: AUSTIN, TX

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

Functional Title: AR Lab Coordinator
Job Title: Education Spclst III
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Microbiology
Closing Date: 08/25/2026
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $6,800.00
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 20%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL)
Other Locations: Austin

Brief Job Description

Under general supervision of the Microbiology Unit Quality Improvement and Testing Support Branch manager, performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services, technical assistance, and advanced public health laboratory education with a focus on the antibiotic/antimicrobial resistance (AR) laboratory testing program. Serves as an AR Laboratory testing programs liaison to submitters, as well as regional and state healthcare associated infections (HAI) and AR programs. Responsible for planning, overseeing, coordinating, and expanding education, outreach, recruitment, training, evaluation, and communication associated with AR Laboratory testing and other public health laboratory surveillance programs. Educate submitters on requirements for sample collection and shipment, and changes in analytical testing services. Supports submitter engagement and coordinates specimen submission and reporting. Create and update educational materials, recruitment materials, and presentations. Assist healthcare providers with the use of DSHS remote access data services, investigate and reduce unsatisfactory specimens, and other AR and program related activities. Evaluate AR and other laboratory surveillance activities to identify successes, gaps, barriers, and opportunities, and recommending corrective actions, developing action plans, and monitoring progress, to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Provides consultative services and coordinates communication with the Healthcare Safety Unit and other infectious diseases programs staff, the general public, stakeholders, and public health facilities staff, including but not limited to physicians, nurses, and hospital staff. Assist with Microbiology Specimen Logistics when applicable. Highly advanced verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills required. Actively participates in the safety program. Duties are performed under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions

EFJ #1 (35%) Submitter Engagement and Coordination: Acts as the AR Laboratory liaison and the initial main point of contact for submitters. Maintains and updates a contact list of submitters. Performs sample recruitment activities and provides technical assistance. Coordinates sample submission, result reporting, and sample shipping to CDC and AR Lab Network regional laboratory. Collects, organizes, and analyzes data and information and prepares reports in response to requests for AR laboratory information. Monitors Texas ARLN and other email boxes for customer questions and requests, providing answers or forwarding to appropriate specialty area as needed. Serves as a resource on the AR laboratory policies and procedures. Prepares and shares reviews of literature, statutes, rules, or policies. Facilitates and processes special projects and routine requests associated with AR and other Microbiology specimens including open record requests. Assists with the development of AR response plan and other program procedures and manuals for the AR laboratory in accordance with program objectives and goals. Coordinates and conducts tours of the laboratory as needed.

EJF #2 (30%) Education: Oversees, coordinates, leads, and collaborates with program staff to plan, develop, and implements educational program, processes, and materials to increase public and provider awareness, understanding, and compliance with AR laboratory testing including laboratory procedures. Determines the methodology and delivery of educational training. Develops educational materials and presentations and presents information about AR and other laboratory surveillance sample collection, submission, testing requirements and processes, and reporting protocols. Composes and distributes notices, hints, and reminders. Maintains and updates AR testing laboratory website content and accuracy. Performs regular review of website, documents, forms, and other stakeholder resources. Oversees, guides and participates in the development of informative materials and DSHS distribution methods and procedures to minimize specimen rejection. Oversees and conducts onsite and remote training for healthcare facilities, submitters, program staff, and the general public on requirements of healthcare providers and the agency. Facilitate seminars and meetings conducted to train laboratorians to perform new testing methods.

EJF #3 (15%) Communication: Acts as a liaison between AR Laboratory and HAI program staff to coordinate regular bi-directional communications and to explain and provide technical assistance on educational requirements. Facilitates and schedules meetings to provide updates, encourage discussions, share concerns and successes, develop strategic planning, and establish short and long term goals. Documents meeting notes and monitors action items. Coordinates and collaborates with program staff in planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of training efforts to expand provider interest in the program initiatives, secure support for programs, determine trends, resolve operational and technical problems, and improve use of Remote Data Services.

EFJ #4 (15%) Program Assessment: Develops and implements effective techniques for evaluating programs. Identifies gaps and needed changes and coordinates with the laboratory and HAI programs, as appropriate, to develop and implement new initiatives, resolve problems and lead activities to improve performance. Assesses program activities, procedures, related internal and public documents, and outreach activities to ensure program compliance with statute and policy regarding AR testing. Prepares and conducts surveys and evaluates data to determine provider compliance and understanding with program and legal requirements and agency policies. Collects and analyzes data, monitors results, and prepares reports related to AR Laboratory and provider performance, and effectiveness of educational activities. Evaluates findings on submitter unsatisfactory specimen rates to determine efficacy of unsatisfactory specimen reporting procedures and submitter focused corrective action initiatives. Coordinates the review and evaluation of guidelines, protocols, literature, and trends of AR specimens and accurate demographic information collection. Extracts, analyzes and reviews Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database reports regarding healthcare provider performance and use of Remote Data Services and identifies needs for education and outreach. Serves as a backup to the LIMS liaison by assisting in developing and/or preparing data extracts and reports from the LIMS.

EFJ #5 (5%) Other duties as assigned include but are 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. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. Safe operation of either a state owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to Texas Notifiable Conditions and other infectious diseases.
• Knowledge of training and marketing techniques.
• Knowledge of program management processes and techniques.
• Knowledge of public health laws, regulations and general clinical and microbiological laboratory, principles, techniques, and terminology.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety.
• Knowledge of current technologies that support programatic goals.
• Skill and knowledge in the collection of human and non-human microbiology testing specimens.
• Skill and knowledge in using computer, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, Windows, and Internet.
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance.
• Skill in using information management systems.
• Skill in problem solving and working independently.
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