Public Health Laboratory Assistant

Description

Pay Grade: E

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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

As an accredited public health department, we're seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Laboratory Assistant (Laboratory Aide 3) to join the Division of Medical/Clinical Services, Public Health Laboratory located in Decatur, GA.

Job Responsibilities

Receives and accessions specimens in the Central Accessioning specimen processing area.

• In a rapid pace team based approach, receives, sorts, opens, removes from mailing containers and bags. Processes all specimens that arrive during the day.
• Correlates patient identifying information on specimen with that on the requisition form.  Always notifies supervisor or designee promptly when there is a discrepancy. 
• Visually inspects all specimens to determine acceptability for further processing or testing based on specific variables not requiring technical or clinical expertise (damaged in transit, leaking and/or labeled with proper patient identifiers). 
• All discrepancies, problem with specimens and or requisition forms are legibly recorded in the appropriate problem logbook on the day of specimen receipt if possible (Quality assurance and Specimen accountability).
• Accurately affixes the same accession number on the specimen its accompanying requisition form. Spot checks accession numbers and bar codes during accessioning process (Quality Assurance and Specimen accountability).  
• Ensures that the specimen requisition form is stamped with the appropriate time and date; that specimen was received into the accessioning area before forwarding the form to the data entry section and transporting the specimen to the appropriate area for testing.
• Performance will be evaluated by:
  • Direct observation of specimen handling
  • Inspection of Accession logs
• Ability to work successfully in a team.

 Batches and prepares specimens for testing using Universal Precautions

• Processes specimens carefully in the bio-safety cabinet to prevent aerosol production, avoid creating a potential human health hazard and specimen cross contamination.
• Begins accessioning and specimen processing promptly or within no more than 30 minutes of specimen receipt to avoid delays in testing resulting in increased turnaround times.

Performance will be evaluated by:  Spot checking and legitimate complaints from testing areas.
 
Technical and Clerical Duties

• Daily accurately enters patient demographic, specimen, test, and client data from the requisition form into  Laboratory System (LISM). 
• Daily accurately enters  patient demographics, specimen, test and client data from Newborn Screening  requisition forms into NBS application.          
• Daily generates appropriate logs/printouts for comparison with original data source to proof-read and correct errors. (Quality Assurance and self-check.)
• Helps train new personnel.
• Answer the telephone agreeably and conscientiously.

Perform necessary cleaning, disinfecting, and understands safety precautions required for discards.

• Uses Universal Precautions 100% of the time.
• Disposes of all contaminated materials and waste safely using established guidelines daily.
• Disinfects all work areas, counter spaces, and bio-safety cabinets utilized in specimen processing after each use and as needed on a daily basis with 10% Bleach solutions.
• Cleans and disinfects all carts, reusable container, refrigerators and trays used for specimen processing storage and transport. Records cleaning dates in appropriate log book.
• Discards all blood specimens that have collection dates older than thirty days. Ask the supervisor or designated technical personnel before disposing other specimens (i.e. cerebrospinal fluid or any specimen that is unrecoverable).
• Keep work area floor clean, clear and free of safety hazards.
• Cleans and disinfects personal face shields as needed. Changes and properly discards disposable protective laboratory garments as needed.
• Uses fresh and adequate amounts of appropriate disinfectant solutions. Reconstitutes or dilutes as directed weekly or as required (Quality Assurance and Bio-safety). 
• Check refrigerator and freezer temperatures, operational safety (Fluorescent and ultraviolet light source, blower, alarm, pressure range) of bio-safety hoods daily. Records result, problem and corrective measures taken daily (Quality Assurance and Bio-safety). 
• Performance will be evaluated by:
  • Frequent routine review of appropriate log books
  • Spot check and regular inspection of work areas and spaces.

Returns reusable shipping boxes and containers to submitters by mail or designated courier service. Maintains adequate supplies by frequent inventory audit and usage assessment.

• Assembles appropriate shipping or packaging materials for forwarding specimens and/or empty reusable mailers to appropriate testing facilities or clients.
• Check supplies weekly, informing Supervisor or designee when an order needs to be placed. 

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED AND Two years of related experience

OR

One year of experience required at the lower level Laboratory Aide 2 (LSS011) or position equivalent.

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 wellness 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 wellness 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 is not 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.