Chemist I

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Chemist I (NS)

Position Number

Grade

NC14

About Us

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.

Description of Work

The Newborn Screening (NBS) Unit of the NC State Laboratory of Public Health is currently accepting applications for a Chemist I position. The primary purpose of the NBS Unit is to provide timely and accurate testing to identify potentially life-threatening conditions in babies born in North Carolina.

Successful candidates in this position will: perform testing on all newborns to detect conditions listed in the states Newborn Screening Panel using dried blood spot specimens derived from a heelstick. The position has pre-analytical analytical post-analytical and general responsibility related to testing reporting and ensuring the accuracy and validity of test results. This position will perform routine instrument maintenance use laboratory information systems (LIMS) to record retrieve and store results and perform laboratory processes following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This position also performs QA activities as outlined in SOPs to verify optimal performance of instrumentation and validity of analytical results. QA activities include participating in method validation studies instrument comparisons preparation of PT specimens reviewing QC data from LC-MS/MS instrumentation investigation root cause analyses and corrective action/preventative action reports of any non-conforming events reporting results to the supervisor and performing and documenting instrument troubleshooting. Work for this position involves direct use of semi- and automated instrumentation pipetting and extensive use of computers and computer-driven instrumentation. Work involves use of automatic blood spot punches data interpretation and application of comprehensive quality assurance protocols and activities.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $50633.00 - $88607.00

Recruitment Range: $50633.00 - $65667.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Employees in this position must be capable of meeting the Federal CLIA 88 personnel requirements for Testing Personnel in a laboratory performing high complexity testing. Applicants must provide copies of their transcript(s) and/or certification(s) to be considered for the position.

• Knowledge of and experience with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) assays terminology and other analytical equipment.

• Proven experience with clinical laboratory procedures and processes handling potentially infectious materials and the safety aspects associated with clinical laboratory testing.

• Demonstrated experience in analytical troubleshooting skills and adequate maintenance of laboratory equipment.

• Working knowledge of the components of a Quality Assurance program and demonstrated skill in monitoring quality controls daily performing complex data analysis and preparing report to demonstrate validity of laboratory methods

REPOST - Previous Applicants Do Not Need To Reapply To Be Considered For This Vacancy

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

Physical Requirement:

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

About the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH):

The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) provides statewide medical and environmental laboratory testing consultation and training to support public and private health providers. As the states reference laboratory NCSLPH performs specialized testing and supports the development and standardization of lab procedures to ensure accurate high-quality diagnostics.

The Laboratory also certifies milk and water testing facilities and provides training to improve laboratory services statewide. From Acanthamoeba to Zika NCSLPH plays a vital role in protecting the health of all North Carolinians.

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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 addition paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website forState Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federallaws 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.

In accordance with the Governors Executive Order 303 our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the following: Education including high school and all degrees obtained Work Experience and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions you must provide supporting information within the Work Experience section of the application to support your answers.

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

• Applicantsmaybe subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered Positions of Trustwill besubject to a criminal background check.

• Due to the volume of applications received we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application please log in to your account. Upon the closing date applications are Under Review and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your State of North Carolina/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 Credit Verification

  Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

  Veterans and National Guard Preference

  • 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 an NGB 23A (RPAS) along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

  • Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22 along with the state application.

  ADA Accommodations

  Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities or known limitations covered by the PWFA are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact the person indicated below.

  CONTACT INFORMATION:

  If there are any questions about this posting please contact Talent Acquisition at. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

  Minimum Education and Experience

  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. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

  Bachelors degree in chemistry from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of progressive chemistry laboratory experience

  OR

  An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.

  EEO Statement

  The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination harassment or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs observances and practices.

  Recruiter:

  Tresha Walker

  Email: