PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY SCIENTIST 1 - 12102024-63876

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, COMMUNICABLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISEASE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DIVISION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position will be housed in the Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN) section of the Laboratory. A transcript with ALL credits is required to be uploaded with an employment application in order to properly evaluate a candidate's eligibility for a position in this classification. Coursework in microbiology strongly preferred.

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/program-areas/lab/career-page/PH_Lab_Scientist_1-Clinical.pdf

WORKING TITLE: Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in physical sciences (e.g. chemistry), ecology, life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology, biochemistry or biophysics), medical laboratory science, pre-medicine, or other acceptable science.

OR

Successful completion of an accredited, 4 year medical laboratory scientist program.

OR

Completion of an accredited 2 year medical laboratory technician program.

A transcript with ALL credits is required to be uploaded with an employment application in order that the agency is able to properly evaluate a candidate's eligibility for a position in this classification.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

A PH Lab Scientist 1 performing Clinical duties the major portion of their time must:

• Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology or biochemistry), Medical laboratory science, pre-medicine, or other acceptable science OR successful completion of an accredited 4-year medical laboratory scientist program OR successful completion of an accredited 2 year medical laboratory technician.

OR

• Meet CLIA Testing Personnel Qualification Category set forth in federal CMS regulations 42 CFR, 493.1489.

Note: Licensure as a Medical Laboratory Technologist or Medical Laboratory Technician is no longer required (4/2018) but is preferred. Licensure as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Laboratory Supervisor or Medical Laboratory Director subsumes the PH Laboratory Scientist 1 level and, therefore, also qualifies for this job classification.

A PH Lab Scientist 1 performing Chemist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, including at least 32 credit hours in the following areas: (1) general chemistry, (2) organic chemistry, (3) quantitative analysis, (4) instrumental analysis and (5) physical chemistry.

A PH Lab Scientist 1 performing? Aquatic Biologist duties the major portion of their time must: Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including at least 32 credit hours in biology, in one of the following areas: (1) biology or biological sciences, (2) botanical sciences, (3) environmental or conservation sciences, (4) zoological sciences, or (5) aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field.? Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license throughout the duration of employment.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions

Overview

Summary: Under immediate supervision, is responsible for routine laboratory work of low to moderate difficulty as it relates to chemistry, aquatic biology, microbiological, and/or molecular areas; and performs other tasks as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the entry level class in the Public Health Laboratory Scientist series. This class differs from Public Health Laboratory Scientist 2 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the working level with less direct supervision.

Responsibilities

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

1. Learns to perform analytical methods (i.e., tests) selected for the particular sample submitted.
2. Learns to perform tasks required to support laboratory functions such as preparing reagents, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and maintaining supply inventory.
3. Learns to prioritize and organize tasks in order to complete them in an assigned timeframe while optimizing resources and taking into consideration factors such as performing tests based on number of samples submitted, time and resources required for tests, and priority of tests.

Monitor Processes, materials, or Surroundings:

1. Learns to monitor test processes for adherence to quality control standards by comparing test results to known standards such as using positive and negative controls and acceptable appearance of diagnostic product.
2. Learns to monitor test equipment for proper functioning such as monitoring temperatures, detecting malfunction alarms and recognizing incorrectly processed samples.
3. Learns to prepare various types of specimens for examination by various diagnostic techniques.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

1. Learns to use relevant or appropriate guidelines to determine whether test results are acceptable based on laboratory established policies and procedures.
2. Learns to work within established quality control guidelines.
3. Learns to ensure confidentiality of client information in accordance with HIPAA.

Performing General Physical Activities:

1. Learns to perform precise repetitive activities or motions during specimen processing or analysis.
2. May spend prolonged periods of time at a computer monitor, microscopes, etc. related to the performance of tests or procedures (i.e., visual activity).
3. Performs physical activities that involve use of hands, arms and legs to relocate and stock reagents, samples and supplies to testing areas weighing up to 50 pounds.
4. Bends, stoops, kneels, and reaches as necessary.

Performing Administrative Activities:

1. Learns to keep accurate time sheets.
2. Learns to create documents (e.g., logs, schedules, tally sheets, monthly reports) by utilizing computer.
3. Learns to order lab supplies and reagents using appropriate accounting codes.
4. Learns to print labels for reagents.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:

1. Learns to identify and initiate situations or circumstances with reagents and equipment for the purpose of troubleshooting.
2. Following standard operating procedures, learns to maintain situational awareness and proficiency with biological and chemical hazards.
3. Learns to correct problems according to present strategies or notifies a technologist or supervisor.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

1. Reviews information from manuals, work instructions, flowcharts and other reference sources to accurately analyze and report test results.
2. Remain current with regard to technical information and departmental procedures and policies.
3. Maintains continuing education for compliance with rules and regulations that govern the laboratory and licensure.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

1. Learns to analyze information and evaluates results to determine the validity of test results.

Processing Information:

1. Learns to compile, calculate, and categorize information or data for appropriateness of reporting.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources:

1. Learns to monitors reagents and consumables to ensure an adequate supply for testing needs.
2. Learns to rotate stock to minimize waste and expiration.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

1. Learn to communicate results of tests to submitters in person, in writing, by telephone, fax or e-mail.
2. Learns to communicate with vendors and manufacturers regarding performance issues, troubleshooting, etc.

Getting Information:

1. Learns to receive information on accession form and/or electronically to determine completeness.
2. Learns to assist in gathering incomplete information by calling submitter to provide needed information such as date taken, tests needed and sample description.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:

1. Learns to prepare and check specimens, solutions, reagents and other materials necessary for conducting tests.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

1. Learns to operate laboratory equipment by following instruction manual and using control mechanisms such as power switches and control knobs.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment:

1. Learns to perform preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment used in assigned area according to standard operating procedure.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:

1. Learns to assess diagnostic samples for suitability for testing (e.g., quantity, sample preservation, contamination, proper transport conditions, and proper container).

Interacting With Computers:

1. Learns to use computers and laboratory information systems to process and access information, data and control instrumentation.

Documenting/Recording Information:

1. Learns to document, enter, transcribe, record, store and maintain information in written and electronic form using notebooks, file copies, computer software, etc.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

1. Establishes and develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with all laboratory staff and maintains them over time.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

1. Learns to communicate status of assigned tasks or other relevant information to supervisors or peers by telephone in written form, e-mail or in person.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

1. Functional/Technical Competency
2. Problem Solving
3. Informing
4. Time Management
5. Action Oriented
6. Perseverance
7. Written Communications
8. Listening
9. Peer Relationships
10. Self-Knowledge

Knowledge:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Clerical
4. Customer and Personal Service
5. Mathematics

Skills:

1. Active Learning
2. Active Listening
3. Critical Thinking
4. Learning Strategies
5. Mathematics
6. Reading Comprehension
7. Science
8. Speaking
9. Writing
10. Coordination
11. Service Orientation
12. Complex Problem Solving
13. Equipment Maintenance
14. Operation and Control
15. Operations Monitoring
16. Quality Control Analysis
17. Repairing
18. Troubleshooting

Abilities:

1. Category Flexibility
2. Deductive Reasoning
3. Flexibility of Closure
4. Inductive Reasoning
5. Information Ordering
6. Mathematical Reasoning
7. Memorization
8. Number Facility
9. Oral Comprehension
10. Oral Expression
11. Perceptual Speed
12. Problem Sensitivity
13. Selective Attention
14. Spatial Orientation
15. Speed of Closure
16. Time Sharing
17. Written Comprehension
18. Written Expression
19. Arm-Hand Steadiness
20. Control Precision
21. Finger Dexterity
22. Manual Dexterity
23. Multi-limb Coordination
24. Rate Control
25. Reaction Time
26. Stamina
27. Auditory Attention
28. Depth Perception
29. Near Vision
30. Sound Localization
31. Speech Clarity
32. Speech Recognition
33. Visual Color Discrimination
34. Gross Body Coordination
35. Peripheral Vision

Tools & Equipment

Tools and Equipment Used:

1. Autoclaves
2. Balances
3. Biological Safety Cabinets
4. Calculators
5. Centrifuge
6. Chemistry Analyzers
7. Computers
8. Microbiology Analyzers
9. Microscopes
10. pH Meter
11. Pipette
12. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
13. Temperature Controlled Storage Equipment
14. Thermocyclers
15. Other laboratory equipment as required

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.