Environmental Microbiologist

Overview

Who we are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

What we offer. As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact.  No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:

Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team– Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

As an accredited public health department, we’re seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Environmental Microbiologist to join the Division of Medical-Clinical Services, Public Health Laboratory located in Decatur, GA.

This position will support outbreak investigations and surveillance activities for water borne pathogens of public health concern in the State of Georgia. This position is responsible for the day-to-day testing supporting National Wastewater surveillance activities and serve as a clinical technologist within the Bacteriology unit supporting the surge capacity.

This is a GRANT FUNDED position and is subject to available grant funds.

Job Responsibilities

•    Provide technical skills and assures the activities are congruent with the goals of the Division of Clinical Microbiology and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), OSHA, other federal and state regulations.
•    Primary responsibilities include wastewater surveillance testing for Flu/RSV/SC2 pathogens not limited to packaging and shipping containers to the facilities in a timely manner supporting CDC National Wastewater Surveillance (NWSS) initiatives. The incumbent will be conducting environmental testing using molecular methods such as digital PCR and whole genome sequencing for environmental pathogens.
•    The incumbent will be directly reporting to the Environmental Specialist Supervisor and work collaboratively with State NWSS epidemiologists on data sharing for real time surveillance and outbreak investigations.
•    Incumbent will also support wet lab activities within the Bacteriology unit supporting clinical testing as assigned by the supervisor thereby supporting GA DPH outbreak investigations.
•    Assist with method validation and performance verification of laboratory methods to expand the testing capacity for environmental pathogens causing human disease.
•    Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulatory standards such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and other federal and state regulations.
•    Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance in all testing areas. This includes but is not limited to:
o    Interprets QC data prior to reporting results.
o    Examines QC data over time to establish QC ranges and limits.
o    Collects data for reporting on QA indicators and processes.
o    Document Non-conforming events and Corrective action reports in compliance with GPHL quality management systems
•    Performs steps in the pre-examination, examination, and post-examination phases of testing. This includes but is not limited to:
o    Reviews test results to make sure they are accurate and reports results in a timely manner.
o    Interpret complex or ambiguous results.
o    Instructs others in policies, processes, and procedures for sample management.
o    Participate and perform PT and alternative assessment.
o    Applies waste management policies, processes, and procedures for safety disposal.
o    Troubleshoots instrumentation and testing problems.
•    Assists with work force developmental activities such as training new staff, CDC and APHL fellows.
•    Assist with the weekly inventory for reagents and chemicals for the continuity of laboratory operations in both environmental and clinical bacteriology laboratories.
•    Adheres to policies and principles regarding the use and storage of laboratory reagents and supplies.
•    Equipment use adheres to policies and principles regarding the use, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory equipment. Performs preventative maintenance based on the manufacturer’s instructions.
•    Complies with policies, processes, and procedures regarding protected information.
•    Complies with institutional biosafety policies while handling clinical specimens and cultures in BSL 2 and enhanced BSL2 laboratories.
•    Adheres to policies, processes, and procedures regarding storage of microbiological materials.
•    Performs packing and shipping of Category B infectious substances. Adheres to policies, processes, and procedures regarding the identification, handling, safety, appropriateness, and triage of samples containing agents of concern.
•    Participates in required workplace trainings such as drills etc regarding safety and maintenance of the physical environment,
•    Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate degree in a related science area from an accredited college or university, certification as a Medical Technologist, MT (ASCP), and three (3) years of job-related science experience; or Associate degree and two (2) years of experience at the lower level Medical/Clinical Specialist 2 (LSP011) or equivalent position.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related science area from an accredited college or university AND Two years of experience in a clinical laboratory AND Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) by a nationally accredited certifying agency such as American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the American Medical Technologists (AMT), the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA), the American Association of Bioanalysts (ABB), or another agency approved by the Department.

OR

Completion of ONE of the following academic and/or training requirements listed below, in order to be temporarily classified as a technologist for eighteen (18) months to afford the opportunity to successfully complete an approved qualifying MT examination to earn a ASCP, AMT, AAB certification or equivalent listed above as required of the position:

Successful completion of a full course of study which meets all academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from an accredited college or university;

OR

Successful completion of three years of academic study (a minimum of 135 quarter hours or equivalent) in an accredited college or university and the successful completion of a course of training of at least 12 months in a school of medical technology accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education;

OR

Successful completion in an accredited college or university of a course of study which meets all academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree in one of the chemical, physical, or biological sciences, and have at least one year of pertinent laboratory experience or training accepted by the Department;

OR

Successful completion of 135 quarter hours in an accredited college or university, including 24 quarter hours of chemistry, 24 quarter hours of biology, and 5 quarter hours of mathematics, (thirty quarter hours of the total, with a minimum of fifteen in science, must be at the third or fourth year level), and have at least two years of pertinent laboratory experience;

OR

Successful completion of a full course of study which meets all academic requirements for an associate’s degree in medical technology from an accredited college or university, or successful completion of two years of academic study (a minimum of 90 quarter hours or equivalent) in an accredited college or university which included at least 20 quarter hours of lecture and laboratory courses in chemical, physical, or biological sciences acceptable toward a major in science, with at least three years of pertinent laboratory experience;

OR

Graduation from high school and successful completion of a formal technician training course which is accredited by an accrediting agency accepted by the Department with at least four years of pertinent laboratory experience

OR

Other provision as listed here: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/GAC/111-8-10-.06?urlRedirected=yes&data=admin&lookingfor=111-8-10-.06 under the Rules and Regulations of the state of Georgia (Rule 111-8-10-.06).

In order to be legally recognized as a medical technologist in the state of Georgia, a medical technologist (MT) certification must be obtained.

*ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED* Please upload a copy of all relevant transcripts to this application.