1. A. Laboratory personnel conducting microbiological analysis for LSSP shall be administratively attached to an officially designated laboratory of the shellfish sanitation laboratory system, shall be evaluated by the shellfish evaluation officer for the state of Louisiana for the FDA evaluation officer during an on-site evaluation and shall maintain a satisfactory rating.

   1. 1. Analysts in the Certified Laboratory in Baton Rouge shall be evaluated by the FDA Laboratory Evaluation Officer, Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Food Safety, Division of Seafood Safety, Shellfish Aquaculture and Policy Branch.

2. B. Laboratory analysts eligible for evaluation shall have qualifications equal to or greater than required for employment in an entry level position as a state laboratory scientist under the Louisiana Civil Service system.

   1. 1. Minimum qualifications include a baccalaureate degree with 24 semester hours in a biological science, microbiology, chemistry, nuclear science, physical science or any combination.
   2. 2. Any laboratory analyst with three years experience conducting microbiological analysis and who is so employed on the effective date of these regulations shall be exempt from the requirements of Paragraph 1 above.

3. C. Supervision in the laboratory shall be by a professional laboratory scientist experienced in shellfish sanitation microbiology and with qualifications equal to or greater than required for employment as a state laboratory scientist, first-line supervisor under the Louisiana Civil Service system. If a supervisor is not available, a consultant having the same qualifications may be substituted.

   1. 1. Minimum qualifications include a baccalaureate degree with semester hours in a biological science, microbiology, chemistry, nuclear science, physical science or any combination followed by three years of full time professional experience in a laboratory facility performing microbiological, chemical or nuclear science procedures.
   2. 2. Any laboratory supervisor so employed on the effective date of these regulations and who has the other qualifications specified in Paragraph 1 above shall be exempt from the requirement of a baccalaureate degree.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:4.A.(1), R.S. 40:5.A.(2)(3)(5)(7)(9)(15)(17)(19)(20) and R.S. 40:5.3.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, LR 28:1298 (June 2002), amended by the Department of Health, Office of Public Health, LR 48:1849 (July 2022), repromulgated LR 48:2137 (August 2022).