The Alabama Department of Public Health's Bureau of Clinical Laboratories (BCL) is seeking to fill multiple critical positions for microbiologists, chemists, and molecular diagnostic specialists. Supervisory and managerial positions are also currently available. Those interested in applying for opportunities at the BCL should visit the following State of Alabama Personnel Department announcements for a full list of requirements and instructions.
- Microbiologist
Description: Professional clinical, food quality, or veterinary diagnostic laboratory work.
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Medical Technology or in a chemical, physical, or biological science including 12 semester or 18 quarter hours of combined course work in microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, parasitology, virology, hematology, or related course work.
- Microbiologist Senior
Description: Responsible for supervising and directing a section of a laboratory.
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Medical Technology or in a chemical, physical, or biological science including 12 semester or 18 quarter-hours of combined course work in microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, parasitology, virology, hematology, or related course work. Three years of professional clinical, food quality, or veterinary diagnostic laboratory experience performing standard microbiology and chemical tests and microscopic examinations.
- Microbiologist Laboratory Supervisor
Description: Professional and supervisory work in a public health clinical laboratory.
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Medical Technology or a chemical or biological science including any two of the following courses: microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, immunology, parasitology, virology, or hematology. Five years of professional clinical, environmental, food quality, or veterinary diagnostic laboratory experience to include two years of clinical laboratory experience at the Microbiologist, Senior level or equivalent in a CLIA-certified laboratory.
- Microbiologist Laboratory Division Manager
Description: Professional and administrative work in a clinical laboratory as a director of a division of a laboratory system.
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Medical Technology or chemical, physical, or biological science including any two of the following courses: microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, immunology, parasitology, virology, hematology, or related course work.
- Chemist I
Description: Professional work in the chemical analysis and examination of a wide variety of substances and materials in state laboratories.
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
- Chemist II
Description: Advanced professional or minor supervisory lab work in the chemical analysis and examination of a wide variety of materials.
Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. Two years of experience processing and analyzing chemical solutions and samples.
- Molecular Diagnostic Specialist
Description: Highly professional and scientific work in diagnosing complex, emerging, and new animal and human diseases utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and procedures.
Minimum Requirements: Ph.D. from an accredited four-year college or university in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field. Three years of experience performing complex laboratory procedures in human or animal testing and/or disease research.
Additional Details
Per Dr. Aretha Williams, laboratory assistant director at BCL, having the proper transcripts on hand is an important piece of the application process.
"Transcripts must be submitted for the microbiologist and chemist classifications," Dr. Williams said. "This helps ensure we are compliant with regulatory standards that require certain college course work for those involved in the testing procedures."
Dr. Williams also emphasized that some positions may require travel in the course of fulfilling required duties. These break down as follows:
- Testing Divisions (Chemistry, Newborn Screening, Mycobacteriology and Mycotics, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Microbiology, Mobile Division Laboratory): MAY require overnight travel for instrumentation/methodology trainings and/or to attend conferences approximately 1-2 times per year.
- Sanitary Bacteriology Division: MAY require daytime travel and/or overnight travel a few times per year.
- Quality Management Division: Requires daytime travel and/or overnight travel to various county health departments a few times per year. Employees select their own travel dates and schedule.
Dr. Williams encouraged applicants to list all previous employment and to complete all requested information. She also emphasized that the "Type of Degree and Date" portion of the application is referring to degrees you have already obtained, and the date they were obtained. "Do not indicate you have graduated if you have not yet," Dr. Williams said.
In addition to offering employment opportunities, the BCL invites staff to engage in health and wellness activities. The Bureau also recognizes the critical contributions of its team by participating in Medical Laboratory Professionals Week each year, along with other events that promote a sense of comradery and teamwork.
More ADPH Careers
Visit Careers to learn more about other open positions at ADPH. For additional information on current employment opportunities with ADPH, visit our Office of Human Resources.
Visit the Office of Human Resources Application Process page to learn more about applying for positions at ADPH.
