Salary : $29,498.95 Annually
Location : 538 Scotts Creek Road Sylva, NC
Job Type : Permanent, Full-Time
Job Number : 20250024
Department : Health
Opening Date : 02 / 11 / 2025
Closing Date : 2 / 25 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Eastern
FLSA : Non-Exempt
Position Overview
The position primarily provides laboratory services for all clinics, outreach program, and the environmental health services of the Jackson County Department of Public Health. Grade 15
Work Schedule :
Forty (40) hours per week with the option to work four (4) ten (10)-hour workdays from 7 : 00 am until 5 : 30 pm with thirty (30) minutes for lunch; or Monday from 8 : 00 am until 12 : 00 pm with no lunch and Tuesday thru Friday from 7 : 00 am until 4 : 30 pm with thirty (30) minutes for lunch; or Monday through Friday from 7 : 00 am until 4 : 00 pm with one (1) hour for lunch; or Monday thru Friday 8 : 00 am to 5 : 00 pm, with (1) one hour for lunch; based on department needs and supervisor approval. Occasional work late evening or weekend work may be required to complete testing. On call 24 / 7 for any unusual surveillance activities or events. The person in this position is required to work nights and weekends when necessitated.
Duties and Responsibilities
Follows Standard Precautions at all times when collecting specimens, testing, and / or processing specimens.
Microbiology testing :
- Inoculating of urine cultures
- Performs sterility checks and QC on each media shipment and records on microbiology log sheet
- Performs wet mounts of vaginal secretions for indications of infections; i.e. WBC, yeast, trichomonas, bacteria, and "clue cells"
- Performs direct smears : gram stains for detection of Neisseria gonorrhea and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), other bacteria, and yeast
- Performs rapid methods : strep throat screens
- Reconstitutes and inoculates media for use in testing procedures for cultures
- Performs Oxidase testing for further identification and confirmation
Hematology testing :
Performs CBC (complete Blood Count) on Micro 60-DMlite Analyzer. Reports out (9) parameters (RBC, HCT, MCV, HGB, WBC, MCH, MCHC, Platelet, and 3 Part Diff)Performs HemoCue 201 testing (hemoglobin semi-automated analyzer) for WIC, Family Planning, Adult Health Clinics (if indicated), Maternal Health, and General ClinicsChemistry testing :
Performs Glucose screensPerforms Glucose Tolerance Testing on HemoCue Glucose 201 AnalyzerPerforms Glucose and Cholesterol testing on Cholestech LDX AnalyzerPerforms Microalbumin testing on Clinitek Status AnalyzerPerforms Hemoglobin A1C on DCA 2000 or AfinionUrinalysis testing :
Performs dipstick (chemical) analysis on Clinitek Status Analyzer / Clinitek 50 (back-up)Performs Urine Pregnancy testingProvides detailed instructions to patients for obtaining a clean catch mid-stream urine sample.Observes strict chain-of-custody proves for drug screen for Perinatal, Prenatal, and urine drug screen collection for area businesses, Department of Social Services, and Jackson County EmployeesMiscellaneous Testing :
Performs qualitative method detection of HCG in serum pregnancy testPerforms Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate testing for detection of inflammation as with arthritis, lupus, etc.Performs Hemoccult testing for detection of blood in stool samplesPerforms examination and identification of lousePerforms Rapid Influenza A & B testingCollects specimen for Paternity / DNA analysisCollects Breath Alcohol Testing for contracted agenciesPerforms GeneXpert SARS COVID-19 testing (CEPHEID)Water Analysis :
Performs water testing for coliform (total and fecal) bacteriaProcesses water for Nitrate testing to be transported to Environmental Inc in Sylva, North CarolinaPerforms required quality controls on reagents and media as indicated by Public Water Supply SectionRecords and mails water results to clientsCalls and mails positive water sample results as indicated in the laboratory water manualPerforms Water Proficiency Testing as indicatedInstructs clients on proper collection of water samples for bacteria analysis, nitrate, and nitrite testingEnters water results into EPA's Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP)Assists laboratory supervisor on preparing the annual water letters to be mailed to clientsGeneral Duties :
Performs routine phlebotomy services according to policies, procedures, and regulations; on and off-site for a variety of tests.Prepares and processes specimens to reference (public and private) laboratories in accordance with laboratory protocols and reference manualsPerforms fingersticks; on and off sitePerforms start up and shut down of analyzers according to laboratory proceduresVerifies that laboratory requisitions / orders are complete and accurateDocuments all results on in-house logs and enters results into patient's record in Patagonia (Electronic Health Record)Answers general questions from patients or staff regarding laboratory procedures, patient preparation, policies, and protocolsGreets patients timely and courteouslyRoutes patients to other areas of clinic and / or waiting areasAssists in performance of complex procedures and analysisPerforms routine and standardized testsPerforms Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and calibration as required by clinical and environmental test proceduresPerforms a variety of clinical testsPerforms a variety of environmental testsDistributes results to appropriate provider, clinic / departmentFaxes and promptly calls all abnormal / panic results to ordering physician / providerComplies and attests to HIPAA regulationsComplies with and follows Universal Standard PrecautionsDecontaminates work surfaces and / or equipment as specified in Blood Borne Pathogen policy manualDisposes of hazardous waste using Universal Standard PrecautionsStocks and rotate stock as needed in laboratory and phlebotomy areasPlaces Jackson County Department of Public Health address labels on State Lab specimen cansProvides Medical Laboratory Technologist I with supply ordersPerforms and reviews Proficiency TestingPrepares daily totals for labs, water testing, and patients seen for monthly WTU reportRecords temperatures as requiredMaintains laboratory supply inventoryPerforms preventative maintenance on all equipment as neededAttends workshops, updates, and / or educational sessions that are deemed pertinentPossess and maintain a valid North Carolina Driver's LicenseProvides assistance for required laboratory experience to Phlebotomy / MLT studentsSends monthly invoices to water clients as indicatedReviews completed patient results before assigning to ordering cliniciansPerforms other duties as assigned by the Laboratory SupervisorParticipating in Public Health Preparedness activities as directed by agency management; this employee will be expected to work as needed during public health emergencies, which may result in extended hours and long work shiftsOther duties as assigned by supervisor, Health Director, or Deputy Health DirectorEducation and Experience
High school graduation or General Education Development (GED) diploma, and one year of laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology preferred. ASCP certification preferred. Phlebotomist preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of techniques, principles, and instrumentation used in public health laboratory medicineKnowledge of applicable laboratory instrumentation and equipmentKnowledge of test procedures performed in the laboratoryKnowledge of specimen processingSkill in use of laboratory equipmentSkill in the performance of laboratory proceduresAbility to make accurate observationsAbility to understand and follow oral and written instructionsKnowledge and understanding of quality assurance and quality control practicesGeneral knowledge of common health and safety precautions in working in a local health departmentAbility to use sound judgment and empathy in dealing with patientsAbility to provide confidentiality and observation of HIPAA laws and regulationsStatement of Equal Employment Opportunity Jackson County recognizes its continued success in meeting the needs of its citizens requires the full and active participation of talented and committed individuals, regardless of their gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or political affiliation. It is the policy of the County to foster, maintain, and promote equal opportunity by use of a systematic, consistent recruitment program, and to identify and attract the most qualified applicants for employment with the County. This policy is to be achieved by announcing all position vacancies, by evaluating all applicants using the same criteria, and by applying testing methods through the NC Career Works Office. Selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
Jackson County provides a robust offering of employee benefits including : employer paid medical and dental benefits, participation in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, paid leave (vacation, sick, and holiday), Employee Clinic, Wellness program, and supplemental benefit offerings. A full overview of benefits is available at
Salary : $29,499
