Microbiologist I or Microbiologist II

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Communicable Disease Division of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene is seeking a Microbiologist I or Microbiologist II to join the Bacteriology Team. The employee in this position works under close supervision as a member of a team of 8 microbiologists. Duties of this position include (not limited to): Manipulation of patient and reference samples suspected or known to contain pathogens of public health significance, following test procedures for various assays to produce reliable results, entering specimen data and communications into the CDD Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), generating worksheets, laboratory reports and performing other routine laboratory activities as needed. This position will use aseptic technique to perform conventional microbiology culture methods as well as molecular diagnostic testing on patient specimens and microorganisms of public health significance. This position will participate in ongoing quality control, assurance and improvement activities. This position may also participate in new method development, test costing, method evaluation, test validation, writing of standard operating procedures (SOP) and the occasional instruction of new staff, laboratorians, students and medical personnel in laboratory procedures. The position is on-site at 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53718. Work hours are 7:45-4:30, Monday through Friday with occasional weekend, holiday and public health emergency response work required. The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is the state's public and environmental health laboratory. As part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the WSLH is committed to exploring new ideas which benefit the state, the nation and the world. The WSLH Communicable Disease Division (CDD) provides essential laboratory support in accordance with the public health goals of the state and the Wisconsin Division of Health Services (WDHS), performing over 150 clinical diagnostic and surveillance tests in support of WDHS, Wisconsin clinical laboratories, other state and regional public health laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Requirements

Candidate must meet 42 CFR § 493.1489 Standard; Testing Personnel qualifications, High Complexity Testing.
Microbiologist I: 0-2 years previous experience, or equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.
Microbiologist II: 2+ years previous relevant work experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.
Must be able to visually distinguish colors. A color vision screening test is required prior to an offer of employment.
At minimum, a Bachelor of Science degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, is required.
An official (or copy of an official) transcript showing conferred degree will be required as a condition of employment.
For degrees earned outside of the United States, proof of qualification equivalency is required and must be performed by a nationally recognized organization such as the National Association Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) (http://www.naces.org) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (http://www.aice-eval.org).
The candidate is responsible for all expenses related to acquiring and providing proof of qualifications.
All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9.
The selected applicant will be required to pass a criminal background check prior to an offer of employment.

Nice To Haves

2+ years’ work experience in a clinical laboratory setting performing high complexity clinical testing; preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections - 10%
Prepares technical reports - 10%
Propagates and maintains cell lines and cultures for microorganism isolation or assay procedures - 5%
Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data - 10%
Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment - 35%
Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development - 5%
Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification - 10%
Operates and maintains laboratory instrumentation and information management systems - 10%
Conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements - 10%
Communicates with internal and external stakeholders as needed - 5%