What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mycobacteriology Laboratory Microbiologist position at Department of Public Health?
The Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory at the Department of Public Health offers an opportunity for a microbiologist to isolate, identify and characterize mycobacteria of clinical and public health significance including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This position will require skills including conventional microbial culture techniques, AFB smear interpretation, and may require specialized skills such as PCR, MALDI-TOF, and whole genome sequencing.
Learn more about what it’s like to work as a DPH Laboratory Professional.
Please note: This position is expected to report to the office five (5) days per week.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Perform complex laboratory testing on clinical specimens using microbiological culture techniques.
- Prepare and read acid fast smears using a fluorescent microscope.
- Execute nucleic acid extraction and amplification testing.
- Conduct testing using the MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer.
- Perform drug susceptibility testing on Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Required Qualifications:
- Proficiency in performing basic microbiological, immunological, and molecular biology techniques.
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
- Knowledge of quality assurance practices.
- Capability to perform calculations, measurements and unit conversion calculations.
- Keen knowledge of principles and policies governing professional ethics and rules of conduct.
- Skill to effectively communicate with others, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to work collegially with peers.
Preferred Qualifications:
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certified medical technologist.
- Awareness of / experience in clinical microbiology and bacterial identification.
- Understanding of/experience in clinical mycobacteriology including drug susceptibility testing.
- Knowledge of molecular techniques including PCR and sequencing.
- Knowledge of BSL-3 practices.
Special Requirements:
- Willingness to work under conditions of potential exposure to infectious agents.
- Willingness to sign a confidentiality statement upon hire.
- As part of the pre-hire process, you will be required to submit transcript(s) for review for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) verification process. If selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to submit an official transcript from each accredited academic institution to verify the above. Please note that we will be unable to move forward with your application for this position if you do not meet CLIA qualifications.
Working Conditions:
In the context of work in a BSL-3 environment the successful candidate must understand the following:
- Working conditions include potential exposure to infectious agents.
- Recommended candidate must complete OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (29 CFR 1910.134 Appendix C), be evaluated and determined able to wear a respirator before working in any BSL-3 laboratory.
BIDLS Mission: Use testing, analytical, and direct service capacities, grounded in data-, science-, and equity-driven public health principles, to share accurate information, provide timely guidance, and respond to infections and other public health threats, leveraging innovation and partnerships at the individual, family, community, and population levels.
DPH Mission and Vision:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.
We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.
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Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4
Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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