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1. CDHS Laboratory Infrastructure at Risk Presented by:
Jim Ware, CLS, MS, PHM II - MDL Special Pathogens Lab
Jason R. Barash, CLS, MT(ASCP), PHM Specialist – IBTPP Lab
Christopher Preas, PHM II (Virology) – VRDL Serology Lab
2. Richmond campus
3. Who do we represent ? The Public Health Microbiologists of the:
Microbial Diseases Laboratory
Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Laboratory
Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program Laboratory
4. Why are we here today?
To explain why it is imperative that our salaries be adjusted to reach parity with the microbiologists who perform similar work in local county, clinical and private sector laboratories.
5. What does a Public Health Microbiologist do? Everyday we protect your:
food and water
And protect you from:
rabies
salmonella
myriad other diseases
6. What does a Public Health Microbiologist do? Among other responsibilities, we are specially trained to work with and identify the bacterial and viral agents which cause these real diseases:
Please excuse the graphic nature
of these pictures
7. Infant Botulism – Clostridium botulinum
8. Bubonic Plague – Yersinia pestis
9. Cutaneous Anthrax – Bacillus anthracis
10. Tularemia – Francisella tularensis
11. Clinical Progression of Smallpox – Variola major
12. Mumps
13. Avian Influenza – H5N1 Virus
15. So, what is the problem? We are unable to recruit new microbiologists.
We are unable to retain microbiologists we train in our training program.
We are losing highly trained, experienced staff to other local county, clinical and private industry laboratories.
16. CA State Department of Health Services Public Health Microbiologist Losses Last 10 Years Private Industry = 9
County Public Health Labs = 8
Kaiser Regional Lab = 7
Transfers to other depts = 9
Retirement = 22
Other reasons = 9
Total lost microbiologists = 64
17. How many new employees? We have gained on average approximately 1 new employee per year in the last 10 years for every 6 that have left.
18. Salary Comparison for Public Health Microbiologist II to County Health Departments
19. Salary Comparison for State Public Health Microbiologist II to the Private Sector
20. Why are we here today? To explain why it is imperative that our salaries be adjusted to reach parity with the microbiologists who perform similar work in local county, clinical and private sector laboratories.
This would require a minimum salary adjustment of $25,000 per year.
21. Why are we asking for higher salaries? Minimum Education required to become a PHM
BS in biological science
Intensive 6-month post-graduate training by CA-approved program
Successful completion of a State board examination to practice as a licensed PHM
In addition, most of our colleagues also have Master’s degrees or the license required to practice as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist
22. Continued… We serve as the public health reference laboratory for all the other labs whose employees now make significantly higher salaries than ours
The chief reason why we ask for higher salaries…supply and demand. There are too few of us to adequately do the job that all Californians need us to do!
23. Impact if current trend persists Weakened public health infrastructure
Additional loss of laboratory services
Significant delays in outbreak investigations
Potential increase in illness / death