Chemist

Purpose of Position/Summary:

Incumbent serves as a junior level chemist in the Chemistry Laboratory of the IDOH Chemistry Laboratories. Incumbent prepares and analyzes samples (urine, serum/blood etc.) for opioids and other novel psychoactive substances. Other range of contaminants include pharmaceuticals, Radionuclides, Metals, and Pesticides.

Qualifications

• Incumbent shall have at least a bachelor’s degree in chemical or physical science from an accredited college or university.

• Incumbent shall have a minimum of 2 years of experience as an analytical chemist.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities :

• Performs highly complex chemical analysis on environmental, food or clinical matrices to determine the level of contaminants or toxic substances using sophisticated instrumentation in compliance with EPA, FDA, or CLIA requirements.

• Adheres to Quality Assurance guidelines.

• Maintains proficiency and technical expertise by passing Proficiency Testing (PT) samples.

• Maintains assigned instrumentation in working order; performs preventative maintenance and repair on laboratory equipment.

• Completes all required paperwork; maintains instrument logbook, prepares technical reports and updates standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Maintains a safe and uncluttered work area.

• Trains and cross trains on other analytical procedures within the laboratory.

• Assists the supervisor by performing related tasks as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Technical knowledge of and ability to operate highly complex laboratory equipment such as LC/MS/MS, LC/QTOF and GC/MS/MS. Familiarity with Sciex equipment such as QTRAP 6500 and X500QTOF preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively with others both within and outside of the laboratory.

• Broad knowledge of good laboratory practices (GLP) and good automated laboratory practices (GALP).

• Broad knowledge of principles and practices of analytical, organic and inorganic chemistry with subsequent experience during the last 2 years.

• Specialized knowledge of related scientific areas such as information systems, physics, and statistics.

• Practical knowledge of laboratory safety and biosafety.

• Extensive knowledge of appropriate state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies relative to the specialty area such as EPA, FDA, DEA, ISO 17025, CLIA.

• Ability to design analytical techniques and develop new methods of analysis.

• Ability to assist with epidemiological and/or statistical reports from data compiled on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

Not applicable.

Difficulty of Work:

Incumbent is engaged in scientific analyses that demand accuracy and demonstrated proficiency in applying laboratory analytical skills to problem solving. Projects involve many complex variables of great intricacy, and the chemist is often called upon to analyze unusual sample matrices. Work requires considerable use of analytical judgment and technical knowledge in order to draw accurate, logical conclusions. Incumbent may be required to testify in judicial proceedings as an expert witness for the State of Indiana. Errors in work could adversely affect the health, safety, and well-being of the public, coworkers, or the incumbent.

Responsibility:

Incumbent works under minimal supervision as a subject matter expert. Technical assistance is occasionally sought if expertise outside the incumbent’s specialized area is needed. Work is reviewed and evaluated upon completion for general technical accuracy; however, tasks are performed independently. Incumbent’s work has a substantial impact on the control and identification of opioids and other substances used for public health surveillance.

Personal Work Relationships:

Incumbent works with the supervisor, other State Department of Health employees, and representatives from the other state, local, and federal agencies to receive or provide assistance or work for solutions to common problems concerning analytical problems/techniques or interpretation of federal requirements.

Physical Effort:

Incumbent must be able to handle and prepare clinical specimens.

Working Conditions:

Incumbent works in a laboratory environment. Hazards include compressed gasses, flammable materials and chemicals which may be poisons or carcinogens/teratogens. Biohazards are also present. Appropriate safety precautions are always required.