Increasing numbers of open positions and a dwindling pool to choose from can make a complex search even more of a challenge. Planning ahead, tailoring your search and advertising the position effectively will make the process easier.
Shaping your search:
- The
Model Career Ladder helps groom a future director from within. Create a culture of leadership and prepare internally for advancement.
- The
APHL Emerging Leaders Program guides labs in cultivating existing leaders in the field and offering new opportunities.
- The
APHL Lab Director Network can be used to search job openings and discuss strategy with other lab leaders. Ask Member Services about access to APHL email lists and e-newsletters. Visit the
APHL Job Center for more.
Where to advertise: Try newspapers, university publications, science and health journals, national publications and APHL outlets:
- The
APHL Job Center helps connect members with new employment opportunities at laboratories across the country. Contact Member Services for more information about advertising.
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APHL’s weekly E-Update includes a careers section; contact Member Services to post your director opening.
What to include: Your job post is an advertisement—it can “sell” the job to high-quality candidates.
- Use and adapt the
Model Job Description for your own lab and director role.
- Keep a number or range for salary/compensation in mind from the start, and let it reflect the importance of the position. Use these tools:
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Salary Toolkit (Coming Soon) : Search salary recommendations by region, education level, position type and field of study.
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National Compensation and Salary Data 2011: Search the current market data for all positions.
- Selling the strong points of the lab itself to potential candidates will go a long way toward increasing job appeal. The Maryland State Health Lab System has a great
Lab Director Job Flyer to use as a model.
Evaluating candidates: Evaluate lab director candidates both on paper (certifications and regulations) and in reality (do they have a full understanding of the public health mission?).
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Interview Questions: Pull from our big list of prospective questions to guide your interview process.
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Education and Certification Checklist: The basic requirements—and some extras—to look for in prospective lab directors.
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CLIA Regulations: Verify that your candidates comply with the CLIA-regulated qualifications and responsibilities.
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Core Competencies Checklist for Lab Directors: Lab directors need certain core competencies, including technical, interpersonal and critical-thinking skills in the areas of leadership and laboratory operations. Use this checklist both in initial evaluation and reassessment.