Microbiologist II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d • 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 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 quality control, preventive maintenance, and inventory for the Clinical Bacteriology Group. Duties are performed with adherence to standard protocol, with general latitude to interpret standard protocol, and with general 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 Microbiological principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of Diagnostic and public health bacteriology, including the use of identification keys and biochemical tests to accurately identify bacteria representing the entire spectrum of the pathogenic organisms.
• Knowledge of Expected reactions of most bacterial culture media with known quality control organisms.
• Knowledge of Antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Skill in Manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.
• Ability to See and distinguish color.
• Ability to Use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting.
• Ability to Communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to Work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience.
• Ability to Communicate technical instructions and teach bacteriological procedures.
• Ability to Maintain inventory of supplies in a laboratory setting.
• 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 and one year of clinical microbiology or bacteriology lab experience; 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 two years of experience in moderate complexity laboratory testing in clinical microbiology or bacteriology lab.
• Must be willing to work Saturdays and holidays on a rotational basis.

Nice To Haves

• Working experience in bacteriology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing in a clinical or public health lab setting.
• Experience with identifying bacteria using MALDI-TOF and/or conventional biochemical methods.
• Experience using various items of laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Under technical guidance of the Team Lead, performs moderately complex procedures for the isolation and identification of bacteria from both referred cultures and clinical specimens.
• 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.
• Evaluates test results and assures accuracy and completeness. Enters test results into laboratory information system for reporting.
• Assists in supporting the Clinical Bacteriology Group in maintaining an adequate supply of reagents, media, and supplies.
• Performs preventative maintenance. Performs advanced troubleshooting on instruments.
• Participates in cross-training program by teaching or demonstrating laboratory techniques in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• 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.
• Assists other staff in their duties and provides additional support with special projects to maintain the section’s high quality and productivity. Participates in the weekend and holiday rotations.

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
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees