Scientist (Microbial Reference) - CL391
About The Position
The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is hiring a Scientist I to join our Microbial Reference Group. This role supports statewide laboratory testing that protects the health and safety of communities across the Commonwealth. DCLS is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation, performing approximately 9 million tests annually. The results from these tests are used by public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law enforcement officials. The Microbial Reference Group specifically focuses on the detection and identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause disease in humans, which could be present in food or the environment. This position performs high complexity testing in the Enteric Bacteriology Laboratory, involving bacterial culture and testing on clinical stool specimens and bacterial isolates using conventional culture techniques, mass spectrometry, and molecular methods. The Scientist will also participate in cross-training, quality assurance, safety initiatives, method validation, and collaborate with other testing groups and the Virginia Department of Health.
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.
- Knowledge of microbiology.
- Knowledge of basic laboratory safety.
- Knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
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
- Excellent health benefits at affordable pricing
- Pre-tax spending accounts
- Paid life insurance
- Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits
- Paid holidays
- Vacation
- Other leave benefits
- Wellness programs
- State retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching
- Supplemental bus passes, ride share, or parking
- Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
