Public Health Laboratory Scientist III

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet•Frankfort, KY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department for Public Health, Division of Laboratory Services, Microbiology Branch, is dedicated to improving the health and safety of Kentucky citizens through prevention, promotion, and protection. The Public Health Laboratory Scientist III position provides the individual with the opportunity to perform critical, life-saving testing for various viral and bacterial diseases. The Branch works with submitting facilities across the state to ensure requested and mandated testing services are provided to all citizens living in the Commonwealth. The Division strives to allow individuals to enhance their laboratory skills through advanced trainings in state–of-the-art technologies. The Virology Section of the Microbiology Branch is responsible for providing testing for the approximately 5,000 specimens received each month. This testing allows for treatment to begin as soon as possible in the affected individuals' lives, thereby eliminating or reducing the effects of the infections, which could include permanent physical and mental disability or death. We offer generous vacation and sick leave, health insurance, professional development and training, and participation in our state retirement plan. The Division is seeking a Public Health Laboratory Scientist III to perform enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, and animal necropsies for the submitting facilities in Kentucky. This individual will work with our state partners, such as the Division of Epidemiology, and our federal partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The candidate for this position needs to be a fast learner, enthusiastic, motivated to do an excellent job, eager to improve systems, and willing to keep the team informed of issues. The successful candidate must be professional, polite, detail-oriented, and familiar with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Requirements

Ability and desire to learn quickly
Thorough knowledge of polymerase chain reaction testing
Understanding of application and use of immunoassays
Understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, and other similar products
Computer literacy
Strong written and verbal communication
Ability to work with others: motivates, delegates, and mediates
Adhere to confidentiality requirements (HIPAA)
Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, biology, chemistry, microbiology, medical technology, zoology, forensics science, animal science, biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, health science, biomedical engineering, environmental biology, ecology, pre-med studies, agricultural engineering, bacteriology, biochemistry, physics, biophysics, dairy science, genetics, pathology, veterinary medicine, histology or a related field.
Three years of professional laboratory work conducting laboratory testing.

Responsibilities

Gains and maintains knowledge concerning testing for infectious viral diseases and the associated pathogens
Performs routine and complex testing and analysis, including molecular testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Performs Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (EIA)
Performs animal necropsies on rabies suspect specimens
Performs automated immunoassays for viral or bacterial diagnoses
Performs testing for after-hours, holiday, and weekend coverage for public health events and incidents
Compiles monthly reports and keeps them up to date
Collects data and monitors quality assurance metrics
Ensures compliance with and enforcement of accreditation program standards
Collects and reports data to be used for departmental research that improves public health practices