Employment Type : Full-Time
Under general supervision of the Mycobacteriology-Mycology-Parasitology Group Manager and with coordination with the Medical Parasitology Team Leader, performs complex to highly complex microbiological work. Following standard protocols, receives and processes clinical specimens; performs complex microscopic examinations of preparations of feces, blood and other bodily fluid specimens; Identifies parasitic organisms to meet weekly deadlines. Performs and records quality assurance protocols accurately. Provides technical consultation by telephone. Participates in training activities by preparing specimens, delivering lectures and performing demonstrations. Contributes to the creation and maintenance of a digital image library and training modules. Assists with research studies and preparation of technical reports. Duties are performed with considerable latitude to interpret standard protocol and with moderate use of scientific knowledge, initiative, and independence. HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Essential Job Functions:
Based on the work area, consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.
EJF 1. Detects parasitic infections by performing microscopic examinations of feces, blood or other body fluid specimens submitted for testing. Duties include initial processing of specimens as a back-up for the Microbiologist I. Processes and performs complex examination of clinical specimens: Processes and examines fecal specimens using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration method. Prepares and examines trichrome stained and acid-fast stained fecal smears. Prepares and examines Giemsa stained smears on blood or tissue. Processes and examines worms and other miscellaneous parasite specimens. (50%)
EJF 2. Coordinates with the Senior Microbiologist and the Team Leader to ensure that work is prioritized and completed by assigned staff in a timely manner. Enters results accurately into the Laboratory Information System, LabWare, and releases reports by the review and authorization of uncomplicated test results from LabWare. Assists the Team Leader in the absence of the Senior Microbiologist. Provides technical consultation by telephone as appropriate; refrains from making customer service decisions that are not approved by the Team Leader or Group Manager. Coordinates with Senior Microbiologist and Team Leader to assure that sufficient supply of test reagents and other required materials are maintained. Performs quality control and preventive maintenance procedures per the Team's procedure manual and maintains the required records. (25%)
EJF 3. Assists Team Leader in quality assurance activities. Documents any problems identified with specimen acceptability, processing, or reporting and submits to Team Leader for review. Consults with Team Leader to determine remedial actions to correct problems when deviations are identified. Implements approved changes according to directions from Team Leader. Assists with QA project updates. (10%)
EJF 4. Trains surge-capacity staff in routine parasitology skills. Assists with the preparation of specimens and training materials utilized in workshops. Assists with presentation of workshops on Medical Parasitology. Assists with maintenance of digital image library for reference and training purposes. Participates in training of visiting technologists and interns. (5%)
EJF 5. Provides technical support for special projects. Assists other staff in their duties to maintain the section’s high quality and quantity of productivity and customer service. Interacts effectively with staff and works with harmony with other team members. May be asked to perform microscopic examination of prepared slides in the tuberculosis laboratory on an ad hoc basis. (5%)
EJF 6. Completes other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of Medical Parasitology to include morphology, life cycles, and epidemiology of the human parasites. Knowledge of laboratory quality control activities. Knowledge and ability to use brightfield, dissecting, and fluorescence microscopes. Skill in manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy and safety. Ability to use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting. Ability and willingness to handle infectious clinical specimens including feces, blood, sputum, urine, and other body fluids. Ability to give meticulous attention to detail, follow standardized procedures, and trouble-shoot problems that occur during testing. Ability to effectively communicate technical instructions and professionally interact with staff and students. Ability to teach testing procedures and the use of various items of laboratory equipment. Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience. Ability to consistently work in harmony with team members, even under stress. Ability to stay focused on a repetitive task for extended periods of time, but also to multi-task when necessary. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and to follow written and verbal instructions in English.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Have an earned bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution; or
Have an earned associate’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.
Experience and education may be substituted as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ’88) Standards.
Initial Selection Criteria:
Required: Have an earned bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution; or
Have an earned associate’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.
Experience and education may be substituted as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ’88) Standards.
Preferred but not required:
Basic knowledge of parasitology preferred.
Experience with microscopy in laboratory setting.
Experience with brightfield and/or fluorescence microscopy examining prepared slides.
Experience in a laboratory processing or testing human clinical specimens.
Experience in a laboratory handling specimens and/or chemicals under a fume hood.
Additional Information:
Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 67B, 71A, 230X, 43TX. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.
Applicant is required to list all college level biology, microbiology, chemistry and other science courses on application or a separate sheet showing the course name and number of semester hours (copy of college transcript is acceptable). Applicant may fax list of completed coursework as described above to AccessHR at 1-866-245-3646. Please note Requisition number on all faxed information.
Applicants with diplomas awarded in countries other than the U.S. must contact Laboratory Personnel Services (512-776-7318) for an approved list of credentialing agencies and must provide credentialing agency foreign transcripts assessment report with this application.
MOS Code:
67B,71A,230X,43TX