Infectious Disease Laboratorian

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is hiring a Microbiologist II for the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) in Augusta. The laboratorian will support the laboratory’s sections by performing diagnostic and surveillance testing on clinical and animal samples. The role requires qualifications and responsibilities consistent with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards in 42 CFR § 493.1489 and § 493.1495. The employee will learn and perform assays used to identify infectious organisms in Biosafety Level 2 and 3 laboratories, including necropsies on domestic and wild animals for rabies testing. Work may support Blood Lead, Bacteriology, Virology/Serology, and Washroom/Media sections. Tasks are assigned by section supervisors and may include preparing blood samples for graphite furnace analysis, identifying bacteria on solid media, extracting nucleic acid, running real-time PCR, and preparing reagents, media, and other solutions. The position also includes routine quality assurance and equipment maintenance, other clinical microbiology testing as needed, participation in rabies vaccination and tuberculosis screening requirements, participation in the respiratory protection program and Laboratory Response Network-Bioterrorism testing, and obtaining and maintaining IATA Dangerous Goods Shipping Certification. The position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology or a related scientific field and two years of progressively responsible experience in a related microbiological field; responsible microbiology experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Meet the applicable CLIA testing personnel qualifications and responsibilities standards under 42 CFR § 493.1489 and § 493.1495.
Obtain and maintain IATA Dangerous Goods Shipping Certification.
Receive pre-exposure rabies vaccination and maintain annual titers.
Receive annual TST or QuantiFERON TB Gold testing.
Participate in the respiratory protection program.

Nice To Haves

Certification as an American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist.
Experience in a diagnostic laboratory performing high-complexity testing.
Familiarity with laboratory information systems, particularly STARLIMS.
Knowledge of and experience identifying infectious organisms using biochemicals, media, and molecular methods such as real-time PCR.
Experience using a graphite furnace to determine heavy metals in blood.

Responsibilities

Perform diagnostic and surveillance testing on clinical and animal samples.
Learn and perform assays used to identify infectious organisms in Biosafety Level 2 and 3 laboratories.
Perform necropsies on domestic and wild animals for rabies testing.
Provide support to the Blood Lead, Bacteriology, Virology/Serology, and Washroom/Media sections, including tasks assigned by section supervisors.
Perform tasks that may include preparing blood samples for graphite furnace analysis, identifying bacteria on solid media, extracting nucleic acid, running real-time PCR, and preparing reagents, media, and other solutions.
Perform and monitor routine quality assurance metrics.
Perform routine maintenance on laboratory equipment, including biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, graphite furnace, nucleic acid extraction platforms, and dishwashers.
Perform other clinical microbiology testing as needed.
Receive pre-exposure rabies vaccination and maintain annual titers.
Receive annual Mantoux tuberculin skin testing (TST) or QuantiFERON TB Gold (IGRA) testing to determine tuberculosis status.
Participate in the respiratory protection program.
Participate in Laboratory Response Network-Bioterrorism testing.
Obtain and maintain International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Shipping Certification.

Benefits

13 paid holidays and at least three weeks of annual vacation leave, with accrual increasing with years of service.
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees.
12 days of sick leave per year.
The State pays 85%–95% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; dependent coverage may also be available.
A 5% employee-only health insurance premium credit for participation, subject to program requirements.
The State pays 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay toward the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness as an employee of a qualified employer.
Living Resources employee assistance program.
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child, including non-birthing and adoptive parents.
Additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.