Sampler (Contract, PRN) Travel Position - Environmental Microbiology Laboratory

Culturewell

Title: Sampler

Department: Laboratory/Sampling

Reports to: Laboratory Director

Location: Ann Arbor, MI w/ Travel

Commitment: PRN (As-needed)

Classification: Contract

POSITION SUMMARY

The Sampler is responsible for traveling to client locations and sampling according to the client’s requirements and Culturewell procedures. The Sampler works in conjunction with the Culturewell Dispatcher, maintaining a friendly disposition, a high degree of accuracy, and attention to detail during the sample collection process. The Sampler uses a mobile app to collect data and samples from surfaces, water, and/or air, primarily in healthcare settings.

This role is travel-focused. The work site is at client locations, such as hospitals.

POSITION PROFILE

• Travel to client locations and perform sampling according to Culturewell’s procedures and clients’ expectations.
• Accurately follow procedures for collecting samples from surfaces, water, and/or air, primarily in healthcare settings.
• Package samples correctly and send them back to Culturewell according to Culturewell’s instructions.
• Be available for sampling, approximately four hours per client and as many as eight hours, plus travel time.
• Communicate clearly with clients about sampling procedures without disclosing confidential information.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all client names, test results, and other associated client information, including patient data, in full compliance with HIPAA, where applicable.
• Work in conjunction with the Culturewell dispatcher to successfully complete sampling events in a timely fashion.
• Maintain a clean work area at all times, including during sampling, following a leave-no-trace methodology.
• Maintain a chain of custody for all samples.
• Attention to detail to ensure excellent data integrity.
• Recommend process improvements for Culturewell procedures or operations.
• Proactively maintain positive credentialing status for the assigned facilities, ensuring no compliance-related delays in sampling.
• Other duties as assigned.

YOUR PROFILE

REQUIREMENTS

• 4-year science degree or considerable progress in the pursuit of a science degree. Associate’s degrees or significant experience in healthcare may be substituted on a case-by-case basis.
• Previous work in acute care hospitals is preferred.
• Must be able to use appropriate judgment to achieve clinical candor and bedside manner.
• Meet or exceed all credentialing required by clients in healthcare facilities and other facilities as required.
• Note: this often requires multiple vaccinations, excellent hygiene, and ability to wear PPE correctly.
• Must be able to follow specific instructions and have attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a startup organization, where workflows and priorities are often changing, sometimes unexpectedly.
• Must have a reliable vehicle that meets the insurance requirements for the state in which sampling is performed.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Must have the ability to rent and hold insurance on rental vehicles, as needed.
• Must pass a criminal background check that includes a clean driving record.
• Culturewell will not provide a smartphone w/ camera feature or a data plan to access our sampling app, and the candidate will be required to maintain these tools, on their own to be eligible for sampling work. Culturewell reserves the right to update this requirement at any time.

COMPETENCIES

• Must maintain continuous proficiency in sampling after training, as demonstrated from proficiency testing and laboratory feedback.
• Must be able to communicate with a range of individuals including patients, nurses, environmental services staff, etc., in a professional manner about sampling purpose and process.
• Be amiable and flexible with clients, with deference to Culturewell’s policies.
• Strong, proactive communication and problem solving skills, especially when in a new setting.
• Embody an understanding that sample integrity and confidentiality are key to Culturewell’s long-term success.
• Kindness and thoughtfulness. In healthcare settings, sometimes folks will ask for our help. While we cannot help them, we can find someone who can.
• Able to follow procedures and specific instructions without deviation.
• Works independently and in collaboration with others.
• Above average reading comprehension.
• Proficiency in the English language for purposes of high-level scientific reading, writing, and verbal communication.
• Commitment to upholding a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to stoop, bend at the knee, use stairs, and be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to walk and stand for an entire sampling event, if necessary, up to four hours or more continuously.
• Restrooms may not be available for long periods of time.
• Must have enough hand dexterity to be able to pinch, grasp, pull apart, touch, and rotate small objects in a repetitive manner with a high degree of accuracy.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to discern nearly imperceptible differences in surfaces without the aid of additional magnification other than corrective lenses.
• Must be able to operate computers, cell phones, and other devices for the purposes of communication, documentation, and collection of sampling data.
• Must be able to wear all required personal protective equipment for up to 10 hours.
• Must be able to pass and maintain qualification to wear an N-95 respirator or equivalent protective device.
• Must be able to tie back hair to prevent contamination of sample locations.
• Artificial nails are not allowed for hygiene and hospital compliance reasons. Nails must be no longer than ¼” beyond the nailbed. Nail polish or other decorations are not permitted.
• Must be able to meet or exceed client site-specific PPE donning and doffing requirements.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• This position is local to southeast Michigan and requires travel ahead of a sampling event to our Ann Arbor, MI location to restock supplies, with no other work performed on-site. It is 100% travel to/working at client locations, primarily in the Midwest. Opportunities to sample throughout the United States may be available although this is not compulsory.
• Contractor is responsible for all local travel expenses; exceptions for regional and national travel may be approved in specific situations.

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS

• COVID-19*
• Flu*

• Requires adherence to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)'s latest age-appropriate guidance for COVID-19 vaccination; seasonal (yearly) vaccination for Flu (by any FDA-approved method).

REQUIRED PROOF OF IMMUNITY

Revaccination is not required for people who have already been immunized or are verifiably immune to the following diseases - Note: To comply with hospital policies, yearly or more frequent titers (blood draw) to prove immune status may be required:

• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Tuberculosis (TB)

MORE ABOUT CULTUREWELL

Our mission is to address social determinants of health for the communities in which we operate by:

• Advocating for social, racial, and economic justice in healthcare delivery.
• Nurturing a balanced, equitable, and diverse workplace for our team members.
• Promoting stewardship of the Earth through sustainable business practices.

Culturewell and its team honor the following values:

• We are ethical.
• We have integrity.
• We are wholehearted.
• We are curious.
• We have attention to detail.
• We are always improving.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.