Job Description & Details
This is a hands-on, 12-month contract role acting as the primary system owner for the Public Health Laboratory's LIMS at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. You will be managing Labware, Rees, or Neometrix platforms while keeping everything compliant with strict CAP and CLIA standards. If you enjoy bridging the gap between laboratory science, database workflows, and public health reporting without being stuck in generic IT support, this is a solid gig.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
Expect to spend your days knee-deep in database optimization, laboratory workflow analysis, and maintaining HL7 ORU messages for the PHLIP and CDC Antibiotic Resistance Lab Network. You'll coordinate directly with vendors and internal teams for major system upgrades, troubleshoot software faults, and handle everything from SQL ad-hoc queries and Crystal Reports to lab instrument IP configurations and web accessioning pages. Since this is an onsite role 5 days a week in Oklahoma City, you'll work side-by-side with lab personnel to ensure HIPAA compliance and smooth daily operations.
The Core Tech Stack
You need deep, practical expertise with LIMS platforms like LabWare, Rees, or Neometrix, alongside a strong grip on SQL for writing ad-hoc queries and generating Crystal Reports. Experience implementing HL7 ELR feeds and APHL/CDC PHLIP messaging standards is non-negotiable because public health data interoperability drives this entire operation. You should also be comfortable managing laboratory subnet connections, serial data transfers, and writing robust technical documentation under strict regulatory frameworks.
Interview Expectations
Expect the hiring team to test your practical knowledge of LIMS validation and compliance by asking how you would troubleshoot a failed HL7 interface feed during an active clinical testing run while maintaining CAP and CLIA audit trails. They will also likely drill down into your database tuning strategies, asking you to explain how you approach writing complex SQL queries to pull ad-hoc public health reports without degrading live system performance. They are looking for someone who doesn't just know the software, but understands the high-stakes regulatory environment of a public health lab.
Application Advice
When updating your resume, make sure your experience with LabWare or similar LIMS administration is front and center, explicitly highlighting your compliance background with CLIA and CAP. Weave in keywords like HL7, PHLIP, Crystal Reports, SQL, and database workflow optimization so you easily pass the initial ATS screening. Emphasize any past projects where you successfully managed vendor upgrades or public health messaging integrations to prove you can hit the ground running on day one.