BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42001048

State of Florida • Kissimmee, FL

11d • $58,000 - $62,000

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a quality assurance biosafety coordinator for the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL). This position will coordinate with the laboratory director, Quality Assurance Manager (QAM), and BADDL staff to ensure that BADDL meets The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) accreditation standards. Serve as the backup to the QAM. Assist the QAM in the Quality Assurance program of the bureau. Ensure continuous improvement through an ongoing effort to improve laboratory services and processes. Provide advice, resources, and assistance to BADDL personnel for all aspects of the quality system. Assist in the implementation of the laboratory internal audit program. Including participating in and serving as lead auditor. Communicate audit findings with section personnel and laboratory director. Generate audit reports and any corrective actions that may arise from audit findings. Review, revise, control, and distribute documents within the quality system. Assist in and lead quality assurance and biosafety training sessions for laboratory personnel. Review feedback from customers, generate customer complaints and initiate convective action when necessary. Assist in the implementation of the biomedical waste and hazardous chemical waste programs. Coordinate annual maintenance, calibration, and certification of laboratory-wide equipment and biological safety cabinets. Monitor and evaluating internal processes including test results to determine their quality. Initiate the corrective action process when non-conforming work is identified. Gather data and present QA reports at the annual BADDL Management meeting and other venues as appropriate. Works closely with Laboratory director on NAHLN (National Animal Health Laboratory Network) and Vet-LIRN (Veterinary Laboratory Investigative Response Network) activities and projects. Assist as a Biological Scientist for the microbiology section. The incumbent is responsible for conducting and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic testing within the microbiology section. Procedures include: Nucleic acid extraction, bacterial culture and identification, polymerase chain reaction, antibody detection, cell culture, and virus isolation. Participates in internal and external proficiency testing programs to ensure compliance with accreditation standards and maintain the integrity of laboratory results. Process and distributes samples received in the microbiology sections, meeting Quality Assurance (QA) procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Prepare and maintain accurate, detailed laboratory records of results, and ensures case coordination of the test results. Manage the Microbiology laboratory supplies. Determines the supplies that are necessary for full laboratory function and places orders for laboratory supplies. This responsibility includes ensuring that balances, pipettes, pH meters, bio-safety hoods, microscopes, and other similar items are calibrated and maintained in compliance with Quality Assurance Guidelines. Keep the Microbiology Department Head and supervisor properly informed of the activities of the Section including any potential or real problem that may affect the proper function of the laboratory. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences and two (2) years of related professional experience; or
• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university as described above and one (1) year of related professional experience as described above; or
• A doctorate from an accredited college or university as described above.
• Certain positions within this class require individuals to meet specific federal or state regulations as identified by the employing agency.
• Requires possession of a valid driver license.
• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Occasional travel required.
• Incumbent must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation, must undergo and pass regular respirator fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required. Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.
• The incumbent must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
• Proficiency in computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to operate required diagnostic laboratory equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a quality assurance biosafety coordinator for the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL).
• Serve as the backup to the QAM.
• Assist the QAM in the Quality Assurance program of the bureau.
• Ensure continuous improvement through an ongoing effort to improve laboratory services and processes.
• Provide advice, resources, and assistance to BADDL personnel for all aspects of the quality system.
• Assist in the implementation of the laboratory internal audit program. Including participating in and serving as lead auditor.
• Communicate audit findings with section personnel and laboratory director.
• Generate audit reports and any corrective actions that may arise from audit findings.
• Review, revise, control, and distribute documents within the quality system.
• Assist in and lead quality assurance and biosafety training sessions for laboratory personnel.
• Review feedback from customers, generate customer complaints and initiate convective action when necessary.
• Assist in the implementation of the biomedical waste and hazardous chemical waste programs.
• Coordinate annual maintenance, calibration, and certification of laboratory-wide equipment and biological safety cabinets.
• Monitor and evaluating internal processes including test results to determine their quality.
• Initiate the corrective action process when non-conforming work is identified.
• Gather data and present QA reports at the annual BADDL Management meeting and other venues as appropriate.
• Works closely with Laboratory director on NAHLN (National Animal Health Laboratory Network) and Vet-LIRN (Veterinary Laboratory Investigative Response Network) activities and projects.
• Assist as a Biological Scientist for the microbiology section.
• Participates in internal and external proficiency testing programs to ensure compliance with accreditation standards and maintain the integrity of laboratory results.
• Process and distributes samples received in the microbiology sections, meeting Quality Assurance (QA) procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Prepare and maintain accurate, detailed laboratory records of results, and ensures case coordination of the test results.
• Manage the Microbiology laboratory supplies.
• Keep the Microbiology Department Head and supervisor properly informed of the activities of the Section including any potential or real problem that may affect the proper function of the laboratory.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees