Chemist 2, Newborn Screening Laboratory DOH9033

Washington State Department of Health; Shoreline (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Health’s Newborn Screening Laboratory in Shoreline, WA seeks a Chemist 2 to conduct chemical and biochemical analyses on newborn blood specimens. This on-site, full-time position supports quality testing and rapid results essential for early health interventions.

You will handle instrument operation, data recording, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to ensure accurate newborn screening outcomes for Washington infants.

Qualifications

• Experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, microbiology, or health-related field with required chemistry coursework and molecular biology lab.
• Master’s degree in chemistry or microbiology with 6+ months of relevant lab experience.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control procedures and documentation of results.
• Experience operating analytical laboratory instruments to conduct testing.

Responsibilities

• Perform chemical and biochemical testing of newborn blood specimens using analytical instruments and methods.
• Analyze test results and determine need for further testing.
• Monitor quality control and assure testing accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments.
• Prepare specimens and evaluate their suitability for testing.

Skills

Chemical analysis

Molecular analysis

Quality control

Education

Bachelors in chemistry/microbiology or health-related field

Master’s in chemistry/microbiology

Tools

Tandem mass spectrometry

Chromatography

Immunoassays

PCR platforms

LIMS

Job description

Chemist 2, Newborn Screening Laboratory

This is a full-time onsite position located at our Public Health Laboratory in Shoreline, WA.

Description

This is a full-time onsite position located at our Public Health Laboratory in Shoreline, WA.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Perform chemical and biochemical testing of newborn blood specimens using analytical instruments and methods, including tandem mass spectrometry, chromatography, immunoassays, electrophoresis, and other laboratory techniques.
• Analyze test results, evaluate abnormal findings, and conduct additional testing to investigate questionable results and determine whether further analysis is needed.
• Monitor quality control and quality assurance measures to ensure testing accuracy, reliability, and compliance with laboratory standards.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments and equipment, addressing issues that could affect testing accuracy or workflow.
• Prepare and evaluate newborn blood specimens for testing, including sorting, assessing specimen suitability, and preparing samples for initial and repeat testing.
• Prepare laboratory reagents, standards, and quality control materials, and monitor supply inventory to maintain testing operations.
• Maintain laboratory records, document test results, prepare routine reports, and provide backup testing and quality control support for other screening areas.
• Contribute to laboratory improvements by assisting with procedure updates, evaluating new testing technologies, and participating in method verification and validation projects.

Why You’ll Love This Role

This position offers the opportunity to apply your laboratory expertise to work that has a direct and lasting impact on infant health. You’ll be part of a specialized public health laboratory team responsible for identifying treatable conditions early in life, helping families access timely follow-up care and giving infants across Washington a healthier start.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a detail-oriented laboratory professional who takes pride in producing accurate, reliable testing results. You approach complex testing and troubleshooting with analytical thinking, sound judgment, and a commitment to quality. You work well independently while contributing to a collaborative laboratory environment, understand the importance of established testing procedures, and recognize how your work supports the health of infants and families across Washington.

Required Qualifications

There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

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 years of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Option 3:

Master’s degree in chemistry, microbiology; AND six (6) or more months of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory

And The Following Knowledge Skills And Experience

• Experience performing chemical, biochemical, or analytical testing in a laboratory setting.
• Experience operating analytical laboratory instruments to conduct testing and measure chemical or biochemical components.
• Experience preparing and processing laboratory specimens and evaluating their suitability for testing.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control procedures, including monitoring test performance, identifying irregular results, and documenting findings.
• Experience documenting, evaluating, and maintaining laboratory test results and records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing biochemical testing on biological specimens, such as blood or dried blood spots.
• Experience using analytical methods such as tandem mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), immunoassays, electrophoresis, Molecular or biochemical assays.
• Experience performing laboratory testing in a clinical, diagnostic, public health, or CLIA-certified laboratory.
• Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or other laboratory testing software.
• Experience troubleshooting analytical instruments and performing routine equipment maintenance.
• Experience preparing laboratory reagents, standards, and quality control materials.
• Experience supporting laboratory method verification, validation, or implementation of testing procedures.

Employee Benefits

We want you to have the support and benefits you need to do your best work while building a career that fits your life. As a DOH employee, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance, with resources to support you now and help you plan for the future. Learn more about DOH benefits and what it’s like to work with us by visiting Work@Health .

The Public Health Laboratories

Where Science Protects Communities

At the Public Health Laboratories, every test matters. From hunting emerging pathogens to ensuring every newborn in the state gets life-saving screenings, your work will drive disease detection, outbreak response, and protect Washington’s most vulnerable. We’re the state’s reference lab, tracking rare threats like rabies, hantavirus, and West Nile virus, analyzing outbreaks, and safeguarding food and water safety. Here, science meets service in a collaborative, equity-driven team committed to real-world impact and public health at scale.

The Newborn Screening Laboratory performs specialized testing on newborn blood spot specimens to identify rare but serious and treatable health conditions. Through advanced laboratory science, quality testing, and collaboration with health care providers and follow-up teams, we help ensure babies across Washington receive timely identification and care for conditions that could otherwise go undetected. Our work plays an important role in giving Washington's youngest residents a healthier start in life.

About The Washington State Department Of Health

We’re nearly 2,700 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.

At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health . Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website .

What To Expect (Working Conditions)

Work Setting: This position works on-site at the Washington State Department of Health Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline, WA. The laboratory environment is fast-paced, noisy, and may be stressful, particularly during public health emergency response activities. The position involves working with dried blood specimens and various laboratory chemicals, including flammable, toxic, and carcinogenic reagents and cleaning supplies that may cause illness, skin irritation, or respiratory problems. Appropriate safety procedures and personal protective equipment must be used to minimize exposure to biological and chemical hazards.

Schedule: The DOH Public Health Laboratories operate Monday through Saturday, with regular laboratory hours from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. An alternate or flexible work schedule may be considered at the employee's request, subject to supervisory approval. This position participates in a rotating Saturday and holiday work schedule, as the laboratory operates most holidays. Occasional work beyond 40 hours per week may be required to meet business needs, with advance notice from the supervisor when possible.

Travel Requirements: Travel is not routinely required to perform the duties of this position; however, occasional or infrequent travel may be necessary to attend meetings, training, or conferences. When driving for state business, the employee must be legally authorized to operate a state or privately owned vehicle or arrange alternate transportation.

Tools & Equipment: This position uses a variety of laboratory instruments and equipment, including incubators, refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, fume hoods, Autodelfias, fluorescent readers, pipettes, card punchers, tandem mass spectrometers, conventional and real-time PCR platforms, and other standard laboratory equipment. The position also uses personal protective equipment, computers, copiers, printers, and fax machines.

Customer Interactions: This position regularly interacts with internal and external customers, including agency staff, managers, supervisors, legislators, Governor's Office staff, local health jurisdictions, federal government representatives, the State Board of Health, external partners, and statewide professional associations. These interactions may occur in a variety of settings to exchange information, coordinate work, and support laboratory and public health program operations.

Other: This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative. The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities.

We Encourage You to Apply

If you meet the required qualifications for this position; we want to hear from you. Preferred qualifications describe additional experience, knowledge or skills that may be helpful in the role, but they are not required to be considered for the position. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives.

Veterans Preference

We value the experience and skill veterans bring to the workforce and encourage veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply. Eligible veterans may qualify for veterans’ preference in accordance with Washington State Law. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must attach your applicable DD-214, NGB Form 22, or other equivalent discharge or separation documentation. Please redact your social security number, date of birth, and any other sensitive information before uploading and attaching the document.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve. DOH is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, the presence or perception of a disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Questions and Accommodations:

If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Shawnelle Goalder at [e-mail] and reference DOH8903.

Technical Support

Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

Supplemental Information

This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

To be considered, please follow the application instructions and complete all required application materials. Information provided in your supplemental question responses, including education and experience, must be supported by your applicant profile.

This position is located in King County. The advertised pay includes a 5% location-based salary adjustment.