Scientist (Microbial Reference) - CL643

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Richmond, VA

8d • $60,000 - $76,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) [https://dgs.virginia.gov/] is
seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Scientist in the Microbial Reference
Group for the Commonwealth's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services
(DCLS), which is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state
laboratories in the nation. With an annual budget of over 30 million dollars and
over 250 state employees, DCLS performs approximately 9 million tests annually.
Results from these tests are used confidently by local, state, and federal
public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law
enforcement officials serving to protect our citizens, food supply environment
and commerce. DCLS is a member of several public health networks and emergency
response groups; the Consolidated Laboratory also directs Commonwealth’s
environmental laboratory accreditation program.

The Microbial Reference Group at DCLS provides laboratory testing services
focused on the detection and identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens
that cause disease in humans, which could be present in the food we eat or in
the environment.  Human and environmental samples are tested routinely as part
of investigations involving emerging infectious disease, gastrointestinal
illnesses outbreaks and in support of autopsy and suspicious death
investigations. The laboratory testing supports many local, state and federal
agencies, as well as private and public laboratories throughout Virginia.

This Scientist will perform high complexity testing in the Enteric Bacteriology
Laboratory. This position performs highly technical and specialized testing to
detect, identify, and further characterize bacterial pathogens that cause
gastrointestinal disease in humans and are routinely part of outbreak
investigations. Bacterial culture and testing is performed on clinical stool
specimens and bacterial isolates. Testing includes conventional culture
techniques, mass spectrometry, and molecular methods. This Scientist will
participate in cross-training opportunities, quality assurance and safety
initiatives, and assist in method validation and implementation. This Scientist
routinely collaborates with other testing groups at DCLS and assists with
providing support to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). These duties are
performed independently with minimal supervision from the group manager.

As an Enteric Bacteriology Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group, job
duties include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

• Meet the education, and experience or training requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for high complexity testing personnel as defined in 42 CFR 493.1489. [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-493#493.1489] 
• Knowledge of microbiology.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety.    
• Knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures.   
• Ability to communicate effectively.   
• This position will be in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with laboratory safety practices and laboratory operations
• Experience independently performing high complexity testing in a BSL-2 laboratory
• Experience with clinical microbiological cultures, pathogen identification, and molecular methods
• Experience operating and troubleshooting complex laboratory instrumentation
• Experience performing and documenting QA and QC and interpreting QC data/results
• Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS)

Responsibilities

• Perform highly complex testing, meet turnaround and holding times, manage workload priorities, maintain chain of custody, and ensure data integrity in LIMS.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of test results, performing QA/QC procedures, troubleshooting methods, documenting maintenance, and supporting staff training.
• Maintain professional relationships and provide responsive support to internal and external customers.
• Support DCLS mission through effective teamwork.
• Ensure a safe, secure, and compliant work environment.

Benefits

• DGS offers excellent health benefits at affordable pricing, pre-tax spending accounts, paid life insurance, paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and other leave benefits, wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.
• Additionally, supplemental bus passes, ride share, or parking are available, and DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program [https://studentaid.gov/pslf/].

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed