About our Laboratory:
The Placer County Public Health Laboratory (PHL) provides analyses aimed at protecting the public's health by assessing the incidence of and preventing the spread of a multitude of infectious diseases in our community. Our laboratory operates both a Biosafety Level- 2 (BSL-2) and a Biosafety Level -3 (BSL-3) component and we participate in the state and federal Laboratory Response Network (LRN) to help maintain a nation-wide   emergency response program. The Placer County PHL is staffed with highly trained, experienced and California-certified Public Health Microbiologists and support staff.

Essential Tests and Referral Services:
Analyses are performed on human specimens and environmental samples such as food, water, insect vectors and other agents that transmit diseases.  The Placer County PHL also provides consultation to health care providers, training of medical laboratorians, and monitoring of the quality and safety of shopping mall and drugstore health screening programs.

Laboratory services provided include testing for:

• Rabies
• Lyme disease
• STDs
• Tuberculosis
• Parasitic Diseases
• Salmonella
• Enteric Diseases
• Drugs of Abuse
• Blood Lead
• Environmental Samples/Waters

Staff:

Positions currently utilized:

• Laboratory Director
• Supervising Public Health Microbiologist
• Senior Public Health Microbiologist/BT Coordinator
• Public Health Microbiologist (2)
• Laboratory Technician (3)
• Laboratory Assistant (1)
• Senior Administrative Clerk
• Journey Level Clerk

About Placer County:

DEMOGRAPHICS

• Population: 292,100
• Land Size:  1,404.37 sq miles

Comparative Median Household Income

• California $47,493
• Bay Area  $63,237
• Greater Sacramento Area  $45,293
• Placer County  $57,535

Comparative Median Home Sale Price                                

• California     $469,173
• Bay Area     $533,417
• Greater Sacramento Area  $353,125
• Placer County  $405,000

Age

• 15 or younger    21.9%
• 16-24                 11.5%
• 25-44                29.0%
• 45-64                42.5%
• 65+                  13.1%

           
Employment Opportunities
To learn about current vacancies please visit the Placer County Personnel Department webpage at http://www.placer.ca.gov/departments/personnel/jobs.aspx

Additional information is available at the Placer County PHL website at http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/hhs/community_health/Lab.aspx

Contact Information:
Director: Barbara Cahoon-Young, Ph.D.
Supervisor: Patty McVay, M.D.
Placer County Public Health Laboratory
11475 C Avenue
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (530) 889-7205
Fax: (530) 889-7209
Email: bcahoon@placer.ca.gov