James Pusavat has worked as a clinical laboratory scientist in the Kern Medical Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Section since 1980. He established and maintained Kern Medical Microbiology Section's essential policies and procedures—setting and managing its goals and objectives at the lowest possible costs; interviewing, selecting and supervising its staff; securing accreditation programs, securing compliance with regulatory agencies and implementing and maintaining comprehensive records and various reports for Kern Medical. 
  
He has played a major part in delivering and maintaining the cost effective development of the Microbiology Section through his working life. He has developed and maintained good working relationships with other clinical microbiology laboratories in Bakersfield, various departments of the Kern County Public Health Department, Kern Medical's Pharmacy Department, Nursing Department and other medical staff, including the medical students, residents and the leading faculty members of various departments (especially the medicine, family practice, and emergency departments) at Kern Medical. 
  
He believes ardently in continuing professional development and education. He has participated in various researches at Kern Medical while working there. Through his role as a co-moderator in ASM’s Divison C, he has provided support to his clinical microbiology colleagues for more than 20 years. 
  
Pusavat retired from Kern Medical in 2014. Currently he is working part-time as a senior clinical laboratory scientist in the Microbiology Section at Adventist Health Bakersfield. He was instrumental in rapid and successful implementation of SARS-CoV-2 molecular assays on 4 different platforms, enabling Adventist Health Bakersfield Laboratory to provide rapid and accurate results in a timely manner.