Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) Laboratory Technologist
Description
Pay Grade: K
Who we are. We protect lives.The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.
What we offer.As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact. No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:
- Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
- Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
- Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team– Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
- Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
- Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
- Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you
This position is responsible for the day-to-day testing comprising pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases of testing within the CRE unit supporting Multidrug resistance organism (MDRO) surveillance and outbreak investigations outbreak investigations for antimicrobial resistance.
This is a GRANT FUNDED position and is subject to available grant funds.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide technical skills and assures the activities are congruent with the goals of the Division of Clinical Microbiology and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), OSHA, other federal and state regulations.
- Primary responsibilities include processing isolates for antimicrobial resistance confirmation for mCIM, STRECK PCR, AST by microbroth dilution and MALDI-TOF, supporting Multidrug resistance organism surveillance and outbreak investigations.
- Incumbent will also perform wet lab activities thereby supporting CDC programmatic activities such as ARLN (Antimicrobial resistance lab network) and Emerging Infections Program (EIP). Assist with method validation and performance verification for Laboratory developed methods and FDA 510k cleared assays.
- Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and other federal and state regulations.
- Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance in all testing areas. This includes but is not limited to:
- Interprets QC data prior to reporting results.
- Examines QC data over time to establish QC ranges and limits.
- Collects data for reporting on QA indicators and processes.
- Document Non-conforming events and Corrective action reports in compliance with GPHL quality management systems
- Performs steps in the pre-examination, examination, and post-examination phases of testing. This includes but is not limited to:
- Reviews test results to make sure they are accurate and reports results in a timely manner.
- Interpret complex or ambiguous results.
- Instructs others in policies, processes, and procedures for sample management.
- Participate and perform PT and alternative assessment.
- Applies waste management policies, processes, and procedures for safety disposal.
- Troubleshoots instrumentation and testing problems.
- Assists with work force developmental activities such as training new staff, CDC and APHL fellows.
- Assist with the weekly inventory for reagents and chemicals for the continuity of bacteriology laboratory operations.
- Adheres to policies and principles regarding the use and storage of laboratory reagents and supplies.
- Equipment use adheres to policies and principles regarding the use, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory equipment. Performs preventative maintenance based on the manufacturer's instructions.
- Complies with policies, processes, and procedures regarding protected information.
- Complies with institutional biosafety policies while handling clinical specimens and cultures.
- Adheres to policies, processes, and procedures regarding storage of microbiological materials.
- Performs packing and shipping of Category B infectious substances. Adheres to policies, processes, and procedures regarding the identification, handling, safety, appropriateness, and triage of samples containing agents of concern.
- Participates in required workplace trainings such as drills etc regarding safety and maintenance of the physical environment,
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate degree in a related science area from an accredited college or university, certification as a Medical Technologist, MT (ASCP), and three (3) years of job-related science experience; or Associate degree and two (2) years of experience at the lower level Medical/Clinical Specialist 2 (LSP011) or equivalent position.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related science area from an accredited college or university AND Two years of experience in a clinical laboratory AND Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) by a nationally accredited certifying agency such as American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA), the American Association of Bioanalysts (ABB), or another agency approved by the Department.
OR
Completion of ONE of the following academic and/or training requirements listed below, in order to be temporarily classified as a technologist for eighteen (18) months to afford the opportunity to successfully complete an approved qualifying MT examination to earn a ASCP, AMT, AAB certification or equivalent listed above as required of the position:
- Successful completion of a full course of study which meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree in medical technology from an accredited college or university; OR
- Successful completion of three years of academic study (a minimum of 135 quarter hours or equivalent) in an accredited college or university and the successful completion of a course of training of at least 12 months in a school of medical technology accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education; OR
- Successful completion in an accredited college or university of a course of study which meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, physical, or biological sciences, and have at least one year of pertinent laboratory experience or training accepted by the Department; OR
- Successful completion of 135 quarter hours in an accredited college or university, including 24 quarter hours of chemistry, 24 quarter hours of biology, and 5 quarter hours of mathematics, (thirty quarter hours of the total, with a minimum of fifteen in science, must be at the third or fourth year level), and have at least two years of pertinent laboratory experience; OR
- Successful completion of a full course of study which meets all academic requirements for an associate's degree in medical technology from an accredited college or university, or successful completion of two years of academic study (a minimum of 90 quarter hours or equivalent) in an accredited college or university which included at least 20 quarter hours of lecture and laboratory courses in chemical, physical, or biological sciences acceptable toward a major in science, with at least three years of pertinent laboratory experience; OR
- Graduation from high school and successful completion of a formal technician training course which is accredited by an accrediting agency accepted by the Department with at least four years of pertinent laboratory experience
Other provision as listed here: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/GAC/111-8-10-.06?urlRedirected=yes&data=ad…;under the Rules and Regulations of the state of Georgia (Rule 111-8-10-.06).
In order to be legally recognized as a medical technologist in the state of Georgia, a medical technologist (MT) certification must be obtained.
*ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED* Please upload a copy of all relevant transcripts to this application.
Additional Information
Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner and leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.
The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in physical activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.
Employment Information
All approved teleworking employees must reside within the state of Georgia and depending on the responsibilities of the position, must live within reasonable driving distance of the agency’s primary worksite and beable to report to the office when required.
Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary.
DPH accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.
The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.
Relocation assistance will not be provided.
As an employee of DPH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.
If you require accommodations under the American Disability Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to: DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov.
DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.
