Molecular Laboratory Scientist 2 (20013763)

About Us:

Our mission at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is “advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans”. Our agency is committed to building a modern, vibrant public health system that creates the conditions where all Ohioans flourish.

The Ohio Department of Health Laboratory assists the agency, local health departments, and clinicians across Ohio in disease outbreak investigations, public health emergencies, and identification of disease causes to aid in treatment and prevention. Our services include screening for diseases of public health interest, reference support for confirmation of low incidence infectious agents, laboratory investigation to determine epidemiological patterns, and oversight of the state’s alcohol breath testing program.

What You'll Do:

The Laboratory Scientist 2 position plays an important role in public health and is responsible for performing a wide variety of testing methods used to identify infectious agents. The Laboratory Scientist 2 is also involved in agency/customer relations and reporting of results to various public health professionals to assist in detecting potential threats to public health.

Performs high complexity testing for clinical and environmental samples using thorough knowledge, training, and judgement.

• Testing techniques may include, but are not limited to:
  • accessioning and processing of various types of clinical and environmental specimens
  • inoculating specimens on appropriate microbiological culture media
  • recording observations including colony morphology; Gram staining
  • set-up traditional biochemical tests and molecular methods for microbial identification and serotyping (e.g., MALDI-TOF, Vitek 2, BioFire, Bioplex)
  • polymerase chain reaction [PCR] (e.g., ABI 7500, QiAcuity, QuantStudio) for detection and characterization of pathogenic microorganisms and virulence factors
  • molecular procedures for nucleic acid extraction, preparing NGS libraries, and gene sequencing
  • subtyping of microorganisms by molecular methods (e.g., Whole Genome Sequencing or Next Generation Sequencing with Illumina MiSeq or NextSeq, Nanopore MinION, pyrosequencing)
  • analysis of sequence data using various bioinformatic tools
• Adapts and validates methods from established methodology and protocols.
• Performs quality control testing on media, reagents, and test kits and records observations.
• Enters specimen information and results into the Laboratory Information Management System.
• Provides customer service functions by communicating explanations of test results to physicians, local health departments (LHDs) and other government agencies.
• Monitors and ensures performance of laboratory equipment; performs routine maintenance and calibrations; identifies problems that require vendor support.
• Performs writing activities; monitors routine laboratory supplies needed to perform daily functions.
• As assigned, participates in collaboration with multi-disciplinary team (e.g., ODH Terrorism Response staff, State Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Emergency Management Agency, Public Safety, LHD)
• Attends professional meetings and trainings on public health trends and methodologies.
• Testifies and participates in depositions as required by courts of law in lawsuits involving testing performed by ODH Public Health Laboratory.
• Maintains laboratory records and test results and maintains clean and orderly work area; monitors and helps to maintain laboratory supply inventory levels.
• As assigned, serves as a member of a disaster recovery/business resumption team, incident response team, or similar public health response team which may include the conduct of operations on a 24/7basis at remote locations.

Unusual Working Conditions:

• Requires the Hepatitis-B vaccination series.
• Unusual working conditions: Exposed to biofluids and tissue, sharps, caustic or toxic chemicals, and/or explosives; may work varying hours.

What’s in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

• The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Department of Health Applicants must meet 1 of 5 options:

(1) Associate’s degree in a medical technology from accredited college or university

(2) Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification

(3) Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology AND 12 mos. pertinent laboratory experience or training in the specialty or subspecialty in which the individual will be assigned.

(4) Education &/or training equivalent to 60 semester hours, or equivalent, that included 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses AND 18 mos. pertinent laboratory experience commensurate with job duties to be performed as outlined per approved position description on file.

(5) Education &/or training equivalent to 60 semester hours, or equivalent, that included 24 semester hours of science that included-
6 semester hours of chemistry AND
6 semester hours of biology AND
12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination AND 18 mos. documented laboratory exp. in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing

Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:

• Graduate or advanced degree in a biological, chemical, natural or physical science
• Experience working in a clinical microbiology or molecular laboratory
• Experience performing PCR assays (real time PCR, conventional PCR)
• Experience in validation/verification of new assays
• Experience with quality assurance programs and documenting quality control
• Experience in communication with medical professionals
• Experience in training others in microbiological and/or molecular techniques
• Experience in maintaining equipment, inventory, and records
• Experience in using Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Word, Excel, Access)
• Experience in data analysis, including the use of spreadsheets to analyze large data sets
• Experience in writing technical procedures

All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, and active disciplinary record.

Knowledge of: (3) Inventory Control, (10) Safety Practices (e.g., OSHA regulations, Universal Precautions, & Bloodborne Pathogens), (11a) Public Relations, (11b) Human Relations, (13b)* Agency Policies & Procedures (e.g., Public Health Laboratory policies & procedures, (14)* Government Structure & Procedures (e.g., CLIA “88 & Medicare/Medicaid regulations, (20) Natural Sciences (e.g., chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, biology).

Skill in: (25b) Word Processing (e.g., Microsoft Office software), (29) Equipment Operations (e.g., balances, pipettes, microscope, centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, spectrometers, incubators autoclaves, personal computer).

Ability to: (30o) understand somewhat abstract field of study (e.g., Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology), (31c) comprehend & record figures accurately, (31d) add, subtract, multiply & divide whole numbers, (32l) maintain accurate records, (32q) understand manuals & verbal instructions, technical in nature, (32t) use proper research methods in gathering data, (32u) prepare & deliver speeches before specialized audiences & general public, (32y) originate &/or edit technical, scientific or advanced literary publications, (33b) sort items into categories according to established methods, (33e) gather, collate & classify information about data, people or things, (34c) cooperate with co-workers on group projects, (34f) handle sensitive inquiries from & contacts with officials & general public.

ALL ANSWERS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY THE WORK EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION PROVIDED ON YOUR CIVIL SERVICE APPLICATION.

Unless required by legislation, the selected candidate will begin at Pay Grade 31, Step 1 of the union (OCSEA) Pay Range Schedule ($24.71 per hour), with an opportunity for pay increase after six months ($25.85) of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
All applicants must submit a completed Ohio Civil Service Application using the TALEO System. Paper applications will not be considered. Applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the minimum qualifications and/or position specific minimum qualifications. Applicants are also encouraged to document any experience, education and/or training related to the job duties above. An assessment of these criteria may be conducted to determine the applicants who are interviewed.

STATUS OF POSTED POSITION:

You can check the status of your application online by signing into your profile. Jobs you applied for will be listed. The application status is shown to the right of the position title and application submission details.

EDUCATIONAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS:
Official educational transcripts are required for all post-high school educational accomplishments, coursework or degrees claimed on the application. Applicants will be required to submit an official transcript prior to receiving a formal offer of employment. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) working days of being requested will cause the applicant to be eliminated from further consideration.

Please note that a transcript is considered "official" only if it is an original copy from the educational institution and includes an institutional watermark, ink stamp or embossed stamp. Transcripts printed from the institution's website will not be accepted. ODH reserves the right to assess the academic credibility of an educational entity's award of a putative degree.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

May require travel.

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.