Lab Monitor - Female

General Division•Columbus, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to monitor the specimen collection of offenders, the behavior of individuals referred to the laboratory, and the submission of reports to the Court. The Lab Monitor ensures the integrity of the department’s drug testing program. This role requires the ability to interact with accused and/or convicted criminal offenders. The Lab Monitor must promote and adhere to the Vision, Mission, Core Principles, and Values of the Probation Department, fostering an inclusive and culturally competent work environment. They are expected to contribute to a strong, supportive, and productive team environment, provide positive reinforcement, and build rapport with offenders. Key functions include following established procedures for observed urine collection and chain of custody, conducting and observing urine specimen collection, and preventing specimen adulteration. The role involves certifying the validity of urine collection by completing chain of custody forms, preparing specimens for shipping, and collaborating with supervising officers to communicate lab results. The Lab Monitor will also testify in court regarding collected and tested specimens, monitor access to the laboratory area, prepare the testing area, and maintain its cleanliness and disinfection. Data entry into the automated case management system, file maintenance, and maintaining strict confidentiality are also essential. The position requires monitoring offender behavior in the lobby area, maintaining a professional demeanor in stressful situations, responding courteously to inquiries, and staying proficient with job and training requirements. Continuous professional and technical knowledge acquisition through training and conferences is expected, along with adherence to the assigned work schedule, professional conduct, and effective communication with staff and stakeholders. Promoting departmental policies and procedures and performing other related duties as required are also part of the role.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent
Knowledge of personal computer operations
Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.
Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form.
Ability to receive feedback, willingness to learn and embrace continuous improvement.
Ability to engage productively and sensitively with people of varying cultures and diversity.
Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper course of action to be taken.
Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
Ability to perform physical demands and exhibit mental aptitude needed to perform work duties including recognition of unusual or threatening conditions, maintain self-control and take appropriate action.
Ability to determine appropriate situations for use of force.
Ability to physically handle resistive/assaultive individuals.
Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria including exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control equipment, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform statistical analysis.
Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work; tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
This position may involve infrequent lifting, carrying, running, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate to heavy weight (50 pounds).
Possess, acquires, and maintains the technical/ professional expertise required to do the job effectively and to create solutions. Technical/professional expertise is demonstrated through problem solving, applying professional judgment, and competent performance.
Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions in a timely manner. Compares data, information, and input from a variety of sources to draw conclusions; takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences. Applies both rational and creative processes to identify unknown root causes of problems. Based on the situation, decides the best course of action, implements the solution, and follows-up to see how it’s working. Calculates and evaluates the long-term consequences of a decision.
Maintains effective performance under pressure; handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization. Stays calm and even-tempered when handling crises, stressful situations, continuous change, or unexpected developments. Is able to recover from difficult situations. Is seen as a settling influence in a crisis.
Works effectively in a team environment to accomplish organizational goals. Builds constructive working relationships with interested stakeholders to identify and meet mutual goals and objectives. Participates as an active and contributing member of teams with a focus on improving offender outcomes and department goals. Shares information as appropriate and credit for team accomplishments. Helps create and maintain strong morale and a feeling of belonging in his/her team. Acts as if "true success" is the success of the whole team.
Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to reduce tension and/or conflict between two or more people; able to size up situations quickly; able to identify common interests; facilitates resolution. Steps up to conflicts and sees them as opportunities. Finds common ground and achieves cooperation without disruption to workflows or interpersonal relationships.
Values an inclusive organization where the differences of all people are respected, valued and utilized towards achieving common goals. Respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds, understands diverse worldviews, and is sensitive to group differences; sees diversity as an opportunity, respectfully challenges bias and intolerance. Supports equal and fair treatment.
Clearly conveys and receives information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the listener, helps them understand and retain the message and invites response and feedback. Keeps others informed as appropriate. Demonstrates effective written, verbal and listening skills.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships with coworkers and stakeholders through the use of strong interpersonal skills to meet mutual goals and objectives. Obtains cooperation from others; seeks and encourages win-win alternatives.
Uses appropriate interpersonal skills and techniques to gain support and acceptance for ideas or solutions. Uses influencing strategies to gain mutually beneficial agreements; Seeks to persuade rather than force solutions or impose decisions or regulations; and recognizes personal autonomy of others.
Personally responsible; completes work in a timely, consistent manner; is committed to being available during business hours to further organizational goals; demonstrates regular and punctual attendance; arrives prepared for work; is committed to doing the best job possible; diligently follows through on commitments and consistently meets deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Six months experience in a lab collection environment
Knowledge and experience in a probation environment

Responsibilities

Monitor the specimen collection of offenders.
Monitor the behavior of individuals referred to the laboratory.
Monitor the submission of reports to the Court.
Ensure the integrity of the department’s drug testing program.
Interact with accused and/or convicted criminal offenders.
Promote and adhere to the Vision, Mission, Core Principles and Values of the Probation Department.
Foster an inclusive and culturally competent work environment.
Contribute to a strong, supportive and productive team environment.
Provide positive reinforcement to and build rapport with offenders.
Follow established procedures and protocols of observed urine collection and chain of custody.
Conduct and observe urine specimen collection process with offenders.
Ensure the integrity of the specimen by preventing specimen adulteration or use of devices used for specimen adulteration.
Certify the validity of urine collection by completing the chain of custody form.
Prepare specimens for shipping for analysis, ensuring proper chain of custody.
Collaborate with supervising officer to timely communicate lab results and information to assist with overall supervision.
Testify in court relating to specimens which have been collected and tested.
Monitor all access to the laboratory area, ensuring the security of equipment and storage of specimens.
Prepare the testing area for collection of specimens.
Maintain cleanliness and disinfection of the laboratory area.
Utilize automated case management system to enter data.
Perform file maintenance.
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding offenders, associated files, drug test results and database information.
Monitor behavior/cooperation of individuals reporting to the lobby area for probation services.
Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations.
Respond courteously to inquiries.
Maintain proficiency and applicable certification with all job and training requirements.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending professional training and conferences.
Adhere to assigned work schedule while exhibiting regular and predictable attendance.
Maintain professional conduct and attire.
Maintain effective lines of communication with all staff and stakeholders.
Promote and adhere to departmental policies and procedures.
Maintain confidentiality of department information.
Perform other related duties as required.