MPHL Training Office

The Training Office of the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory consists of the Laboratory Training Coordinator, the Terrorism Response Coordinator, and the Laboratory Safety Coordinator. The Training Office serves as a liaison between local, State and Federal agencies and is available to assist Mississippi laboratories with their training needs. The training program utilizes guidance from agencies such as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) to develop training programs to increase health awareness throughout the state of Mississippi. Information and training is provided to clinicians, laboratorians, and first responders through conference calls, workshops, onsite visits, and laboratory updates. The Training Office also has the capability to rapidly relay urgent information to laboratorians and first responders during a public health emergency.

Continuing Education

The Training Office of the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory facilitates educational training activities for laboratory staff via webinars and audio/internet conferences sponsored by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), and other resources.

The Training Office staff coordinates annual seminars to offer P.A.C.E. continuing educational units for laboratorians. These seminars primarily focus on laboratory preparedness for public health emergencies. All educational material and training offered by the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory Training Office is provided in an effort "To Promote And Protect The Health Of All Mississippians."

Activities

Safety Training for Laboratory Personnel

The Public Health Laboratory is a Biosafety Level 3 facility. The Laboratory Safety Coordinator works with the laboratory safety committee to ensure the security of the Public Health Laboratory and the safety of all laboratory personnel.

• Shipping Infectious Substances
  Annual Packaging and Shipping seminars for Mississippi sentinel laboratories are conducted in conjunction with the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) to support certification in packaging and shipping for sample management. The subject matter expert (SME) of the seminars provides shipping updates in accordance with DOT and IATA shipping regulations. P.A.C.E. continuing educational units may be available for participants.
• Terrorism Preparedness
  The Public Health Laboratory Training Coordinator and the Terrorism Response Coordinator work with the Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Emergency Planning and Response to develop and enhance operational plans and protocols for the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory's response to chemical and biological terrorism and other public health emergencies. Each year, training for terrorism response preparedness and packaging and shipping of infectious substances is conducted throughout the state. Educational materials on laboratory preparedness for public health emergencies are distributed annually to Mississippi laboratories.