Microbiologist I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:
DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.
Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description:
Under moderate supervision of the Clinical Bacteriology Group Manager and Team Lead and following standard protocols, performs basic and moderately complex microbiological work for the isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria from both referred cultures and clinical specimens using a battery of physiological, serological and identification tests. Performs initial processing of incoming specimens. Performs quality control and preventive maintenance for the Clinical Bacteriology Group. Duties are performed with adherence to standard protocol, with limited latitude to interpret standard protocol, and with limited use of initiative, scientific knowledge, and independent judgment. Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: Diagnostic and public health bacteriology, tests to accurately identify bacteria representing the entire spectrum of the pathogenic organisms, expected reactions of most culture media with known quality control organisms, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Skill in: Manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.
• Ability to: See and distinguish color.
• Use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing; Follow written and verbal instructions
• Interact effectively with staff, work independently, and work in harmony with other team members.
• Have earned a 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 earned an associate’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.

Nice To Haves

• Working experience in bacteriology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Experience with identifying bacteria by use of MALDI-TOF and/or conventional biochemical methods.
• Experience using various items of laboratory equipment.
• Experience maintaining inventory of supplies in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Under technical guidance of the Team Lead, performs basic and moderately complex procedures for the isolation and identification of bacteria from both referred cultures and clinical specimens. Performs initial processing of incoming specimens. Performs bacterial isolation procedures to obtain a pure culture on referred cultures for confirmation and identification using standard protocol. Inoculates pure culture isolates to a battery of physiological tests; reads, interprets and records biochemical test results. Performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing or serotyping as needed. Completes the testing process, accurately records all test reactions, and confirms the identification of the organism by interpretation of appropriate identification keys. Recognizes problems or deviations and refers to supervisor or team lead. Participates in proficiency testing program and demonstrates proficiency in testing work. Ensures that all testing is performed within turnaround time.
• Evaluates test results and assures accuracy and completeness. Enters test results into laboratory information system for reporting. Identifies abnormal results and refers to Team Lead. Files completed reports according to standard protocol.
• Performs quality control and preventive maintenance. Routinely prepares and evaluates the quality of reagents used in tests by tracking expiration dates, performing required quality control, and documentation of quality control results. Documents technical performance issues. Identifies any aberrant quality control results, notifies the Team Lead for corrective actions with a clear description of what occurred.
• Assists in supporting the Clinical Bacteriology Group in maintaining an adequate supply of reagents, media, and supplies. Reviews on a monthly basis the expiration dates of reagents and places requests for reagents when supply is below desired level. Reviews supplies for completeness of information, reviews each shipment received and records condition, expiration dates, and reviews any changes in the instructions for use. Participates in mandatory semi-annual SAO inventory.
• Communicates both orally and in writing with coworkers, customers and partners. Relays important or critical information to customers and partners via telephone, in-person, email, or on line.  Answers questions regarding specimen submission and testing, clarifies missing or discrepant information received, and consults with doctors, other labs, CDC, APHL, etc. as necessary.
• Performs preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting on instruments. Recognizes problems and deviations and refers to supervisor or team lead. Participates in the disposal of biohazardous waste.
• Participates in training program by reading procedures, listening, taking notes, and asking questions.  Takes responsibility for ensuring that the knowledge and skills demonstrated are clearly understood and competency can be demonstrated.
• Assists with verification or validation studies of new products or techniques. Assists in development and revision of procedural manuals. Assists with special projects or surge capacity testing. Under technical guidance of the Team Lead, provides data for project updates. Compiles data in spreadsheet or word processing format for presentations.
• Assists other staff in their duties and provides additional support with special projects to maintain the section’s high quality and productivity. Occasional weekend or holiday hours may be required and is dependent upon work necessity and is on a rotational basis. Attends meetings, interacts, and communicates with customers when applicable. Attends and/or participates in work related workshops, seminars, and other training activities. Answers routine customer inquiries according to SOP’s and some non-routine inquiries as directed by supervisor. Interacts with other programs as requested. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. 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.

Benefits

• DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level