Microbiologist II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

4d • $4,815 - $5,537 • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Zoonotic Disease Branch Manager and with the coordination of the Medical Parasitology Team Leader, performs complex to highly complex microbiological work. Following standard protocols, receives and processes clinical specimens; performs complex microscopic examinations of preparations of feces, blood and other bodily fluid specimens; identifies parasitic organisms to meet weekly deadlines. Performs and documents quality assurance activities with accuracy. Provides technical consultation by telephone. Participates in training activities by preparing specimens, delivering lectures, and performing demonstrations. Contributes to the creation and maintenance of a digital image library and training modules. Assists with research studies and preparation of technical reports. Duties are performed with considerable latitude to interpret standard protocol and with moderate use of scientific knowledge, initiative, and independence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or a medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution, required.
• Must be willing to work hours other than 8:00am-5:00pm as needed, required.
• Must be willing to Participate in weekend and holiday work as needed, required.
• Must be willing to occasionally travel to participate in continuing education opportunities including trainings, talks, scientific conferences, or other opportunities to update and learn new techniques, required.
• Knowledge of parasitology and microbiology principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance activities.
• Knowledge and ability to use brightfield, dissecting, and fluorescence microscopes.
• Skill in manipulating standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy and safety.
• Ability to use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting.
• Ability and willingness to handle infectious clinical specimens including feces, blood, sputum, urine, and other body fluids.
• Ability to give meticulous attention to detail, follow standardized procedures, and trouble-shoot problems that occur during testing.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical instructions and professionally interact with staff and students.
• Ability to teach testing procedures and the use of various items of laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience.
• Ability to consistently work in harmony with team members, even under stress.
• Ability to stay focused on a repetitive task for extended periods of time, but also to multi-task when necessary.
• Ability to distinguish color differences as required for testing procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and to follow written and verbal instructions in English.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and experience in microbiology and parasitology, preferred but not required.
• Experience with microscopy and using a digital imaging system in a laboratory setting, preferred but not required.
• Experience in a laboratory processing or testing human clinical specimens including but not limited to feces, blood, sputum, urine, and other body fluids, preferred but not required.
• Experience in a laboratory setting handling specimens and/or chemicals under a fume hood, preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Detects parasitic infections by performing microscopic examinations of feces, blood or other body fluid specimens submitted for testing.
• Processes and performs complex examination of clinical specimens including but not limited to human blood, feces, and other bodily fluid using various parasite staining and concentration methods.
• Processes, examines, and identifies worms and other miscellaneous parasite specimens.
• Coordinates with the Senior Microbiologist and the Team Leader to ensure that work is prioritized and completed in a timely manner.
• Enters, reviews, and releases test results accurately into the Laboratory Information System.
• Provides customer service and technical consultation by telephone as appropriate; refrains from making customer service decisions that are not approved by the Team Leader or Branch Manager.
• Coordinates with the Senior Microbiologist and Team Leader to assure that sufficient supply of test reagents and other required materials are maintained.
• Performs quality control and preventive maintenance procedures per the Team's procedure manual and maintains records as required.
• Assists in updating and maintaining the Team’s digital imaging library.
• Performs quality assurance activities and assists the Team Leader with other tasks as assigned.
• Assists other staff in their duties to maintain the sections high quality and quantity of productivity.
• Documents problems identified with specimen acceptability, processing, and/or reporting and submits to the Team Leader for review.
• Consults with the Team Leader to determine remedial actions to correct problems when deviations are identified.
• Implements approved changes according to instructions provided by the Team Leader.
• Interacts effectively with staff and works in harmony with other team members.
• Performs other tasks and cross-training within the branch as assigned by the Branch Manager.
• Participates in the training of laboratory staff, visiting technologists, students, and interns.
• Assists with the preparation of training materials.
• Presents and assists with training exercises, workshops, and tours as required.
• Assists in special projects and the development of new procedures under the direction of the Team Leader, provides input to optimize efforts, and documents all development work thoroughly.
• Participates in continuing education opportunities on a regular basis including talks, satellite conferences, scientific conferences, or other appropriate opportunities to update and learn new techniques to be able to perform state of the art diagnostic work.
• Consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.
• Completes other duties as assigned.
• 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.
• Participates in weekend, holiday, and after-hours testing as needed.

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