What are the responsibilities and job description for the Bioinformatician position at ATC?
Job Requirements:
- Extensive knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of molecular biology, NGS and related sub- specialties;
- Specialized knowledge of bioinformatic pipelines, analysis tools, and best practices in analysis of NGS data.
- Specialized knowledge of current scientific methods and testing procedures and the ability to apply them when seeking solutions to public health laboratory problems;
- Specialized knowledge of troubleshooting techniques for NGS applications at the bench level as well as in analysis
- Specialized knowledge of and ability to use a full range of standard technical equipment, complex scientific apparatus, and automated techniques of analysis;
- Extensive knowledge of laboratory safety practices and principles;
- Aware of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies concerning the program area (i.e. CLIA);
- Ability to meet requirements for personnel certification as a technologist pursuant to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA)
- Ability to effectively communicate technical information both verbally and in writing and maintain productive working relationships;
- Ability to satisfactorily participate in proficiency testing programs and recognize QA problems;
- Ability to compile, analyze, evaluate, and prepare laboratory reports.
Difficulty of Work:
Incumbent is engaged in scientific analyses that demand accuracy and demonstrated proficiency in applying laboratory analytical skills to select pertinent guidelines and formulated plans for problem solving. Projects involve many complex variables of great intricacy and the microbiologist is often called upon to analyze and identify unusual specimens/samples. Work requires use of analytical judgment and technical knowledge in order to draw accurate, logical conclusions. Incumbent will also be required to develop and research new testing procedures as well as the data analysis and reporting of NGS data.
Responsibility:
Incumbent works independently as an expert in the assigned area. Technical and/or detailed instruction is provided only upon request when necessitated by a procedural change and/or special project. Incumbent maintains established safety practices when working with materials that have a chemical hazard or biohazard potential. Reports are reviewed for general technical accuracy; however, tasks are performed independently. Errors in work could adversely affect the health, safety and well being of the incumbent or coworkers.
Personal Work Relationships:
Incumbent works with supervisor and with other State Department of Health staff such as Laboratory Safety Officer and/or external entities (e.g. local health departments, etc.) to devise and implement work procedures and information dissemination. Individual will have contact with employees and the public as a laboratory expert and in the explanation of laboratory procedures and recommendations when appropriate. Incumbent will be the subject matter expert on bioinformatics ascepts of NGS results generated in our laboratory or by external partners.
Physical Effort:
The required personal protective equipment can be cumbersome and awkward. Extra effort and concentration will be necessary to perform routine laboratory manipulations under these conditions.
Working Conditions:
The incumbent will be performing tests on potentially dangerous specimens. Consequently, safety standards are of primary importance. This position will be required to use all appropriate personal protective equipment in the designated laboratory area. The laboratory space and equipment can experience a dramatic increase in temperature. The incumbent will be required to work in these conditions and maintain a clear thought process during the testing.
