Laboratory Specialist Reference Bacteriology
Laboratory Specialist Reference Bacteriology
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$ 59732 - 98557
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Description of Work
- *The Recruitment Range For This Position Is $59732 - $78826*
This is a Laboratory Specialist position that will provide on-site testing support to the NCSLPH Microbiology Units Bacteriology Core and Parasitology laboratory section. The primary role of this position is to perform specialized testing services for the isolation and characterization of bacterial and parasitic pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for select bacterial pathogens (e.g. Neisseria gonorrhoeae AST VISA/ VRSA).
This position will use classical microbiological techniques molecular techniques MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) (e.g. whole-genome sequencing (WGS)) to identify unusual bacteria including Gram-positive cocci Gram-negative rods Bacillus species Corynebacterium species Vibrio species and other difficult to identify bacteria. This position will perform concentrations and microscopic ova and parasite (O&P) examinations for a variety of gastrointestinal parasites (e.g. Giardia duodenales Cryptosporidium spp.). This position will also assist in the development and onboarding of new identification and AST techniques utilizing genotypic phenotypic and emerging methodologies (e.g. WGS). The procedures performed by this position are highly specialized and require a combination of classical microbiological AST and molecular skills and knowledge.
Duties of this position also include providing testing consultation and AST alert values to physicians epidemiologists nurses and laboratorians and the routine use of a laboratory information management system (LIMS). Candidates must be able to adapt to changing requirements that can arise in a dynamic work environment and work well within multidisciplinary teams. Work is performed at Biosafety Levels 2 & 2 using proper containment techniques and personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. Surge capacity response during viral bacterial and/or fungal public health disease clusters outbreaks and/or pandemics is required. Work may require extended work hours to include weekends and/or holidays to meet routine and/or emergency specimen processing testing and reporting.
The NCSLPH Microbiology Units Bacteriology Core and Parasitology Laboratory sections Laboratory Specialist will perform duties that include though are not limited to the following:- Provide on-site testing support to the NCSLPH Microbiology Units Bacteriology Core and Parasitology Laboratory section
- Perform and document quality assurance and quality control activities to Federal State and NCSLPH regulations
- Provide laboratory testing consultation and AST alert values to North Carolina Communicable Disease Branch (NC CDB) physicians epidemiologists nurses and CDC
- Utilize STARLIMS and Qualtrax compliance software for patient information Quality Control results entry and document management
- Assist in the development and onboarding of new pathogen detection identification and AST techniques
- Assist with the inventory and procurement of reagents supplies and consumables
- Perform staff training and competency assessments per delegation
About the Division of Public Health and the State Laboratory of Public Health:
The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) provides an array of services including Laboratory Testing Training/Consultation and Certification. The NCSLPH provides more than 125 clinical laboratory tests and more than 65 environmental laboratory tests to the public and private medical health care system in North Carolina and performs over 6 million tests annually on human animal food water and agricultural samples. Additionally NCSLPH provides training and consultation for local health departments hospitals commercial laboratories private health care professionals community-based organizations and state and regional staff from the NC Division of Public Health (DPH) and other state and regional agencies.
A staff of over 200 employees make up the organization units which include Administration Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP) Chemical Terrorism and Threat Environmental Sciences Laboratory Improvement Molecular Diagnostics & Epidemiology Newborn Screening Microbiology Sequencing and Bioinformatics Response and Virology/Serology and is co-located with the Office of Chief Medical in a 220000-sq. ft. state of the art facility. The NCSLPH has several doctoral level managers and research scientists as well as medical laboratory specialists medical technologists chemists laboratory technicians and support staff.
The Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is comprised of four primary units containing various laboratories all of which provide testing services to local and state partners as well as to clinical labs for the diagnosis treatment surveillance and control of communicable diseases. Collectively the unit conducts highly complex testing procedures for the detection identification and characterization of a wide range of infectious agents from a variety of clinical reference and environmental specimens.
The Microbiology Unit provides clinical and reference microbiological testing for public and private laboratories as well as for associated partners. This diverse unit performs testing such as organism identification and detection that aids in the diagnosis of foodborne vaccine-preventable parasitic and fungal diseases. Microbiological culture and workups to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a variety of other pathogens such as Legionella and Neisseria are also performed by this unit. Microbial resistance testing and surveillance methods are also performed within the unit. Results generated from this unit are utilized by a variety of partners for diagnosis patient management surveillance and outbreak investigations.
The Bacteriology Core and Parasitology laboratory section perform classical microbiological antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and molecular techniques to identify and characterize pathogens that impact public health. Examples include Bordetella pertussis Haemophilus influenzae Legionella pneumophila C. auris and a variety of gastrointestinal parasites (e.g. Giardia duodenales Cryptosporidium spp.) This work is performed by a team consisting of 5 staff including a section supervisor. Specimens are accepted from public and private health care providers across the state including select long-term care facilities.Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public HealthWe are in Raleigh NC. According to Forbes we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.- 220000 square feet state-of-the-art facility
- Plentiful Free Parking
- Easy access to highways (70 40 and 440) NC Museum of Art Umstead State Park healthcare providers and shopping centers
- Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State UNC-Chapel Hill Duke)
- Fitness area with exercise equipment classes and wellness activities
- Weekly Food Trucks including Double Food Truck Fridays
- Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
- Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
- Monthly and quarterly career development classes including opportunities for traveling
- Library of academic journals and materials on-site
- Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
- NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
- State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits
About the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest most complex agencies in the state and has approximately 17000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health safety and well-being of all North Carolinians providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf blind developmentally disabled and mentally ill and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.
Compensation and Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options standard and supplemental retirement plans and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation sick and community service leave. In addition paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits: more information about DHHS: Skills and Abilities / CompetenciesListed below are the knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. These KSAs along with the minimum education and experience listed are required in order to be deemed eligible for the position therefore you must provide supporting information within the body of your application to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed.
Qualified applicants must possess and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:- Employees in this position must be capable of meeting the Federal CLIA 88 personnel requirements of General Supervisor in a laboratory performing high complexity testing. Applicants must attach copies of their transcript(s) and/or certification(s) to be considered for the position
- Experienced working within BSL2 conditions and handling potentially infectious materials
- Experienced performing classical microbiological and molecular techniques for the identification of pathogens associated with human disease
Management Preferences:- American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification
- Experience using classical and/ or molecular methods to identify parasites
- Experience performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST)
- Experience performing new method verifications and validations
Physical Requirements:
An occupational medical assessment may be required to determine your ability to safely work with biological chemical or radiological hazards. This position may also require periodic medical screenings to confirm safety practices are effectively preventing occupational injury or illness.
All costs associated with obtaining occupational health services are covered by NCSLPH.
This position:- Works frequently with infectious disease agents that require the use of personal protective equipment.
- Work requires the ability to distinguish colors and close visual acuity to perform data analysis and visual inspection of specimens using standard laboratory equipment.
- Use of laboratory equipment requires ability to manipulate items with fingers ability to grasp and ability to feel/perceive the attributes of objects such as size shape temperature or texture.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. If that language appears below then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience OR a combination of both. SeeEducation and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
Bachelors degree in medical technology microbiology chemistry or a closely related biological science field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a medical laboratory or in the assigned work area;
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Necessary Special Qualifications
Must be capable of meeting the Federal CLIA 88 personnel requirements for a general supervisor in a laboratory performing high complexity testing. Other Labs Minimum Education and Experience Bachelor s degree in medical technology microbiology chemistry or a closely related biological science field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a laboratory in the assigned work area; or an equivalent combination or education and experience.
Note: This is a generalized representation of positions in this class and is not intended to identify essential functionsSupplemental and Contact Information
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked education with the date graduated all work experience and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.- Applicants seeking Veterans Preference must attach aDD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
- Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
- If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
- Applicantsmay be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered Positions of Trust will be subject to a criminal background check.
Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicants transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service please visit the NACES membership website at Transcripts degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.
NOTE:Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status please contact Talent Acquisition at .
To check the status of an application please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click Application Status.
For technical issues with your application please call theNeoGov Help Line at . If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account please call their Help Line at 1-.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
