Public Health Microbiologist (PHM)
Public Health Microbiology is the specialized area of microbiology, which detects and identifies the microorganisms associated with infectious and communicable disease. California has thirty-eight local county or municipal public health laboratories and a state laboratory. Approximately 350 public health microbiologists staff these laboratories (CAPHLD Website, 2007). The microbiologists perform a variety of complex laboratory techniques from traditional isolation methods and fluorescent microscopy to flow cytometry and molecular technology.
Academic and Experience Requirements of a California Public Health Microbiologist
- Baccalaureate degree in a laboratory science or closely related field.
- Six-months training in an approved public health laboratory and passing the California State (PHM) Certification examination for public health microbiologists.
- Undergraduate work must be completed in an accredited college or university to qualify as a prerequisite and requires either of the following:
- A baccalaureate or equivalent or higher degree with a major in Medical or Public Health Bacteriology/Microbiology. No additional coursework.
- A baccalaureate or equivalent or higher degree in any major other than listed above with completion of 24 semester units (or equivalent quarter units) of the following: microbiology, bacteriology, immunology, virology, parasitology, hematology, cellular biology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, genetics, microtechnique, instrumentation, epidemiology, or other related courses. These units must include at least 6 semester units (or equivalent quarter units) of medical or pathogenic microbiology/bacteriology. A course in immunology or serology may be accepted as a substitute for three or less of the medical microbiology units. Courses in microbiology should include a laboratory component. Any courses taken at a community college must transfer to the UC or CSU system to count as a prerequisite.
Approval to train in a public health lab must be obtained from California State Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services before admission to an approved training program in a public health laboratory. An Application may be obtained from Kathy Williams at: Kathy.Williams@cdph.ca.gov.
Or write to Kathy Williams, California State Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services, 850 Marina Bay Parkway- Bldg P First Floor, Richmond, CA 94804-6403.
