Systems Analysis of Iowa Neonatal Metabolic Screening Program (INMSP) Lab

How to apply:
Complete the student application

Location:
Iowa City or Ankeny, Iowa

Description:
Newborn screening was established to benefit children with disorders where early diagnosis and intervention provided opportunity for significant improvement in health outcomes (e.g., prevention of death, mental retardation, developmental delays, etc.).

In 1983 the University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL) was officially designated by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) as the central laboratory for newborn screening in Iowa. The Center for Congenital and Inherited Disorders was developed to administer the state’s policies in partnership with the UHL, the University of Iowa and health care providers throughout the state to provide Iowa with state of the art genetics health care.

Further information can be found at Center for Congenital and Inherited Disorders and the INMSP

The INMSP laboratory currently tests for approximately 38 disorders from dried blood spot specimens taken from infants shortly after birth. Each testing area has its own SOP, though the entire sample is tied to a panel. The journey through the lab is complex from receiving to testing to reporting.

The candidate will evaluate this journey by examining the many processes within the Newborn Screening Laboratory:

1. Examine the flow of a newborn screening specimen throughout the laboratory from receipt to report.
2. Make flow charts of this progression through the system.
3. Evaluate the times it takes to accomplish each step along the way.
4. Identify bottlenecks and possible ways to improve the system.

Desired Skills:
The student will have received training in the following areas:

1. Systems Analysis
2. Basic (and hopefully some advanced) training in computer use:
1. Microsoft Word
2. Excel
3. Database queries
4. Standard Query Language (SQL)
3. Statistics course work.
4. Epidemiology course work.
5. Laboratory experience is a plus, but not necessary.

Start/End Dates if specific: TBD with student input

Ongoing/variable/negotiable dates: Yes

Average number of hours/week expected: TBD with student input (200 hours total)

Must all work take place on-site? No

Is tele-commuting possible for part of the work commitment? Yes