Explore Professional Development Opportunities

APHL’s ColLABorate Online Communities provide an opportunity to connect with others working in the same field or with similar areas of interest. Explore our offerings and learn more about joining one of our communities.

Visit the APHL Event Calendar for all upcoming events and webinars.

The Public Health Laboratory Internship Program: an APHL-CDC Initiative offers paid laboratory internships to train and prepare current students for careers at public health laboratories. Interns receive guidance from a mentor and additional training/programming from APHL.

Internships provide students and recent graduates with exposure to public health laboratory operations. Interns may support basic laboratory activities under supervision, such as sample preparation, data entry, quality documentation and observational learning. These roles help individuals explore laboratory science careers while building foundational technical and professional skills.

Learn more about becoming an intern

The Public Health Laboratory Fellowship Program: an APHL-CDC Initiative offers paid laboratory fellowships to train and prepare recent graduates for careers at public health laboratories. Fellows work at a host laboratory on projects specific to a laboratory science focus area. The Fellows are trained in techniques and skills to meet competencies that are transferrable to a career in public health laboratory science. The position may require relocation.

Fellowships are structured, time-limited training positions designed to bridge academic preparation and professional practice. Fellows typically hold relevant degrees and receive mentored, hands-on experience in specialized laboratory disciplines. Fellowships strengthen technical competency, introduce public health systems and prepare participants for permanent laboratory roles.

Learn more about becoming a fellow

Entry-level laboratory professionals perform routine testing and support functions in accordance with standard operating procedures. Responsibilities may include specimen processing, performing assays, maintaining equipment, and adhering to quality and safety requirements. These roles focus on skill development, accuracy and understanding regulatory and quality systems.

Mid-level and advanced professionals perform complex testing, troubleshoot methods and may serve as subject matter experts. They often mentor junior staff, contribute to method development or validation, and support quality improvement initiatives. Advancement at this level reflects increased technical expertise, independence and responsibility.

The Emerging Leader Program (ELP) is an opportunity for laboratory professionals to strengthen leadership skills, foster team building and cultivate vibrant social and professional networks. This intensive leadership development program offers unique training opportunities and the chance to collaborate on a project addressing pressing workforce issues.

Learn more about the ELP

APHL places interns and fellows in public health laboratories, under the supervision of a mentor for the duration of the program. The main difference between the programs is their length; fellowships and genomic data internships are a year-long commitment, whereas laboratory internships are a 12-16-week commitment.

Experienced laboratory professionals guide and direct interns/fellows for the duration of their program. Mentors must be full-time employees at the host laboratory and are responsible for the oversight and professional development of the intern/fellow. 

If you would like to expand your laboratory’s capacity, help shape the next generation of public health laboratory professionals, and gain managerial experience, we encourage you to apply to become a mentor!

Learn more about the mentorship experience

Public Health Laboratory Ambassadors help build the laboratory workforce by promoting public health laboratory careers to students. It is also a great opportunity to build your communication skills and professional network.

Learn more about becoming an ambassador

Supervisors oversee daily laboratory operations and staff performance. Responsibilities include workload coordination, training and competency assessment, quality assurance oversight, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Supervisory roles blend technical expertise with people management and communication skills.

Laboratory managers provide strategic and operational leadership for laboratory units or sections. They are responsible for budgeting, staffing, policy implementation, performance metrics and cross-functional collaboration. Managers play a critical role in aligning laboratory services with organizational and public health priorities.

Senior leaders provide vision and direction for public health laboratories at the organizational or system level. They guide strategic planning, partnerships, laboratory operations, quality testing, emergency preparedness and innovation. These roles emphasize leadership, policy influence, stakeholder engagement and long-term sustainability of laboratory services.

To become a laboratory director, it requires a combination of advanced education, specific laboratory experience and meeting federal CLIA regulations. The exact pathway varies by degree type, but the requirements are well defined. Most professionals become eligible for high complexity Public Health Laboratory Director positions after 8–14 years of combined education, laboratory experience and certification.

Strong leadership strengthens laboratory systems—and supports staff retention and performance. Whether you’re stepping into supervision or guiding organizational change, leadership development builds confidence and capability.

Focus areas often include:

• Coaching, communication and team development
• Change management and strategic planning
• Workforce development and succession planning
• Building a culture of quality and learning

The Emerging Leader Program (ELP) for Experienced Leaders is a six-month program for mid-career laboratory professionals to refine their impact with advanced leadership skills and cultivate vibrant social and professional networks. Together, we tackle the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities within public health laboratories.

Learn more about ELP for Experienced Leaders

APHL places interns and fellows in public health laboratories, under the supervision of a mentor for the duration of the program. The main difference between the programs is their length; fellowships and genomic data internships are a year-long commitment, whereas laboratory internships are a 12-16-week commitment.

Experienced laboratory professionals guide and direct interns/fellows for the duration of their program. Mentors must be full-time employees at the host laboratory and are responsible for the oversight and professional development of the intern/fellow. 

If you would like to expand your laboratory’s capacity, help shape the next generation of public health laboratory professionals, and gain managerial experience, we encourage you to apply to become a mentor!

Learn more about the mentorship experience

APHL committees are central to the association’s work—they help shape programs, policies and activities that support public health laboratories nationwide.  The value of being an APHL committee member lies in influencing priorities, driving policy, building community, enhancing leadership skills and strengthening public health laboratory systems.

Learn more about our committees

The Board Certification Exam Boot Camp is a multi-week virtual program facilitated by board-certified professionals, designed to help jump-start the studying process for the board exams required to direct high-complexity laboratory testing. The Camp runs twice a year in the spring and fall and aims to align with scheduled examination dates.

Learn more about the Exam Boot Camp

The Laboratory Leaders of Today (LLOT) program provides an opportunity for rising public health laboratory leadership to come together to address critical challenges, strengthen essential leadership skills and lay the groundwork the future of public health laboratories.

The impact of LLOT extends beyond the program. Graduates maintain connections with members of previous cohorts, fostering continuity and relationships that transcend geographical boundaries. This network not only ensures ongoing support and collaboration but also serves as a platform for continued growth and development. Together we are paving the way towards a stronger and more resilient public health infrastructure!

Learn more about LLOT

The Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH) track in Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice provides advanced training in laboratory science and practice for those preparing for leadership roles in public health laboratory settings. This online program, offered in collaboration with the University of South Florida College of Public Health, can be completed while working.

Learn more about the DrPH