Microbiologist II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

12d • $4,540 - $5,229 • Onsite

About The Position

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

• 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.
• Performs bacterial isolation procedures to obtain a pure culture on referred cultures and some clinical samples for confirmation and identification using standard protocol.
• Performs identification by MALDI-TOF and/or inoculates pure culture isolates to a battery of physiological tests; reads, interprets, and records biochemical test results.
• Performs antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• 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.
• Initiates troubleshooting and proposes solutions to problems to supervisor.
• Participates in proficiency testing program and demonstrates proficiency in testing work.
• 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.
• 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 SOP’s including reviewing, entering, and validating test results in the laboratory computer system for final reporting.
• 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 or makes 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 and helps coordinate 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 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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree