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
The Division of Microbiology at the Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) is responsible for detecting, identifying, and reporting communicable diseases within the State of Georgia. The Division is responsible for maintaining expertise and capability in a wide variety of public health microbiology specialties. These include Mycobacteriology Reference Bacteriology, Enteric Bacteriology, Environmental Microbiology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance surveillance, and Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD).
GPHL is seeking a certified Clinical Laboratory Scientist professional to perform day-to-day testing within the Virology Unit for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), Flu Surveillance, Rabies Detection, and Molecular testing for Respiratory Viruses supporting public health outbreak investigations and surveillance activities.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide technical skills and assures the activities are congruent with the goals of the Division of Clinical Microbiology.
- Provide technical skills with conducting day-to-day testing on STD testing (CT/GC/Trichomonas NAAT), HIV Viral Load NAAT, Respiratory viral pathogen NAAT, Rabies testing and Whole genome sequencing efforts to support outbreak investigations and surveillance activities
- Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), OSHA, and other federal and state regulations.
- Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance in all 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.
- Complies with quality management processes and policies; recommends process improvements.
- Performs steps in the pre-examination, examination, and post-examination phases of both diagnostic and surveillance testing on human clinical specimens. 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.
- Performs PT and alternative assessment.
- Applies waste management policies, processes, and procedures to activities.
- Troubleshoots instrumentation and testing problems and complies with regulations and guidelines governing laboratory testing.
- Performs necropsy and preparation of tissues for specimen testing
- Assists in training new staff.
- Adheres to policies and principles regarding the use and storage of laboratory reagents and supplies.
- Adheres to policies and principles regarding the use, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory equipment. Performs preventative maintenance.
- Determines need for repair or replacement of laboratory equipment.
- Compiles results of method validation and performance verification
- Complies with policies, processes, and procedures regarding protected health information.
- Complies with institutional biosafety, chemical hygiene plans and works safely with hazardous (physical/chemical/biological) materials within a laboratory facility.
- 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 training regarding safety 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.
This position requires vaccination against the rabies virus.
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.