Microbiologist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

36d•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. Under general supervision of the Clinical Bacteriology Group Manager and Team Leads and following standard protocols, performs moderately complex and highly 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 antimicrobial resistance testing. Performs quality control and preventive maintenance for the Clinical Bacteriology Group. Duties performed with moderate latitude to interpret standard protocol, and with moderate 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

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 and have at least one year of experience in moderate complexity laboratory testing. Experience and education may be substituted as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88) Standards.
Knowledge of Bacteriology, including the use of MALDI-TOF and biochemical tests to identify bacteria.
Skill in: Use of a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting.
Skill in: Use of various laboratory equipment
Ability to: See and distinguish color
Ability to: Perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Ability to: Perform Carbapenemase production or other enzyme testing
Ability to: Work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience
Ability to: Communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow written and verbal instructions; teach laboratory procedures

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.
Ability to maintain inventory of supplies in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

Under technical guidance of the Health Care Acquired Infection/Vaccine Preventable Disease (HAI/VPD) Team Lead, performs moderately complex and highly complex procedures for the isolation and identification of bacteria using MALDI-TOF or biochemical tests. Performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Completes the testing process, and accurately records all test results within the defined turnaround time. Recognizes problems or deviations and refers to supervisor or team lead. Initiates troubleshooting and proposes solutions to problems to supervisor. Participates in proficiency testing program and demonstrates proficiency in testing work.
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 documenting quality control results. Initiates quality assurance corrective action; Documents technical performance issues. Identifies any aberrant quality control results, performs troubleshooting, and makes recommendations to Team Lead for corrective actions. Assists Team Lead with preparation of quality assurance documents including data graphs, problem and corrective action logs, competency documentation, training documentation, review of quality control records, and turnaround time statistical analysis.
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. Releases uncomplicated results based on SOPs including reviewing, entering, and validating test results in the laboratory computer system for final reporting.
Ensures that there is an adequate supply of reagents and miscellaneous supplies and assists in supporting the Clinical Bacteriology Group in maintaining an adequate supply of media and supplies. Reviews the expiration dates of reagents and places requests for reagents when supply is below desired level. Reviews supplies for completeness of information and coordinates semi-annual SAO inventory.
Performs preventative maintenance. Performs advanced troubleshooting on instruments. Recognizes problems and deviations and refers to supervisor with recommendations for problem solving. Assists Team Lead with revisions of preventive maintenance records, equipment standard operating procedures, and corrective action documentation.
Participates in cross-training program by teaching or demonstrating laboratory techniques in accordance with standard operating procedures. Documents all training and delivers to Manager within 10 days of completion. 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 tests. 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 group's high quality and productivity. Participates in the weekend and holiday rotations. 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. 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. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.

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).

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