What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Health Scientist position at State of North Carolina?
**This is a Full Time, Time-Limited position.**
The NC State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is currently accepting applications for a Public Health Scientist. This position, within the Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP) Unit at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, reports to the BTEP Unit Manager.
The primary purpose of this position is to provide scientific and technical leadership for all aspects of high complexity testing within the BTEP Unit in the evaluation, development, optimization, verification, and validation of assays. This position is also responsible for the evaluation and implementation of advanced identification methods and coordinating and managing any research activities of the BTEP unit. This position works closely with the BTEP Manager and BTEP Supervisor to ensure the laboratory and staff are trained, competent and able to respond to all testing as needed.
The individual in this position must be available for testing outside of normal business hours (nights, weekends, or holidays), if needed. This position will perform and document work in accordance with NCSLPH Quality Assurance guidelines and CLIA ‘88 (Clinical Laboratory Improvement) rules and regulations and the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP). This position will assist the BTEP Supervisor and other technical Staff by supporting planning, project management, monitoring of deliverables, and providing staff training. This position may assist with routine biosafety risk assessments and developing risk mitigating strategies to safely handle biologic threats using BSL3 work practices and facilities. The position entails a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, documentation, and flexibility in workflow and assignments.
The mission and purpose of the BTEP Unit is to maintain laboratory capacity for the detection of biological weapons and emerging infectious diseases and to act in a manner that strengthens crisis response within the Division of Public Health. As an advanced laboratory within the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) international Laboratory Response Network (LRN), the Unit ensures timely local response in the event of a threat incident with the capability to produce conclusive results, thus allowing local authorities to respond quickly to emergencies.
The BTEP Unit is responsible for performing a variety of highly complex laboratory tests to identify bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other agents of public health significance that represent an emerging threat (e.g., Ebolavirus) or use of a biological weapon (e.g., Bacillus anthracis). Testing involves classical microbiological culture and isolation, biochemical characterization, molecular, and immunological assays that are performed within high containment BSL-3 laboratories subject to CLIA and Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) regulations.
Areas of responsibility and duties include but are not limited to:
- Provide scientific and technical leadership for the evaluation, optimization, validation, development, and implementation of new test methods and procedures
- Evaluate new equipment and instrumentation and assist in developing efficiencies within current workflows
- Meet quality standards by performing and documenting work in accordance with NCSLPH Quality Assurance guidelines and CLIA ‘88 (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) rules and regulations
- Support technical planning, project management, SOP development, monitoring of deliverables, and providing staff trainings
- Manage and present data and findings to internal and external partners, and prepare manuscripts for publication
- Manage and procure testing reagents, equipment, and consumables
Surge capacity response during outbreaks, and/or pandemics is required. Work may require extended work hours to include weekends and/or holidays during public health emergencies and/or routine specimen processing.
About the Division of Public Health and the State Laboratory of Public Health:
The NC Division of Public Health (DPH) works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina – Everywhere, Everyday, Everybody.
At the State Laboratory of Public Health (SLPH), we provide medical and environmental laboratory services such as testing, consultation, and training, to public and private health provider organizations responsible for the promotion, protection, and assurance of the health of North Carolina citizens. SLPH serves the entire state as a reference laboratory for difficult, unusual, or otherwise unavailable laboratory procedures and assist in the development, evaluation, and standardization of medical and environmental laboratory testing procedures. We provide training and consultation to improve and assure quality services in other laboratories and certify milk and water laboratories and milk analysts. We test for Acanthamoeba to Zika and everything in between! Visit our website at http://slph.ncpublichealth.com to learn more.
Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health
- 220,000 square feet campus built in 2012
- Plentiful Free Parking
- Easy access to shopping centers, the state art museum, healthcare providers, and highways (70, 40 and 440)
- Break Rooms with Vending Machines, Ice Machines, Coffee Makers, Magazines, and Commercial Grade Microwave Ovens
- Patio Dining with Umbrellas
- Weekly Food Trucks, including Double Food Truck Fridays
- Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
- Wellness Activities
- Fitness Center with Exercise Equipment and Classes
- Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
- Monthly and Quarterly Workshop Sessions
- Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
- NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
- State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits
To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they possess all of the following:
- Must meet Federal CLIA ’88 personnel requirements for Technical Supervisor in a high complexity laboratory. Candidates must attach a copy of their transcript(s) and/or certification(s) to qualify for consideration.
- Experience and broad technical knowledge performing high complexity infectious disease testing in one or more of the following areas: molecular diagnostics, clinical microbiology, or immunology.
- Experience working in a regulated clinical laboratory environment, such as CLIA, CAP, or FSAP.
- Ability to apply quality control and quality assurance principles and practices, including staff training and competency assessment, document control, and proficiency testing requirements.
Management Preferences:
- Certification in medical technology, microbiology and/or molecular biology (ASCP) or equivalent.
- Experience working in a high containment BSL-3 environment and working with highly infectious materials.
- Knowledge of the Federal Select Agent Program and working with select agents and/or the Laboratory Response Network.
- Ability to lead new assay implementation, including assay validation, writing/reviewing SOPs, development of QC plans and quality indicators.
- Skilled at delivering presentations at scientific/professional meetings.
Physical Requirements:
- Work requires the candidate to wear a controlled-air purifying respirator (CAPR) and receive necessary vaccinations.
- Work requires the ability to distinguish colors and close visual acuity to perform data analysis and visual inspection of specimens using standard laboratory equipment.
- Work requires the ability to use of laboratory equipment to manipulate items with fingers, ability to grasp, and ability to feel/perceive the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture.
Special Requirements:
As a control measure to reduce the risk of occupational injury or illness, NCSLPH requires certain medical services for personnel determined to have reasonably anticipated occupational exposure risk in biosafety level (BSL)-2 and -3 laboratories as well as chemical and radiological areas. Medical services required are specific to the occupational risks associated with each position. Required services may include but are not limited to:
- Vaccination against the smallpox virus every three years is mandatory for persons entering this position. Approved medical clearance from occupational health is a condition of an employment offer.
- Initial comprehensive medical exam to determine personnel’s ability to safely work with biological, chemical, or radiological hazards.
- Medical screenings, immunizations, and other protective measures to mitigate risks associated with working in laboratories and to confirm safety practices are effectively preventing occupational injury or illness.
- Monitoring of occupational radiological and/or chemical exposure.
All costs associated with obtaining occupational health services are covered by the employer. Information obtained as part of any occupational health evaluations will be used by the occupational health provider to make an accurate assessment of your ability to safely work with hazardous materials. NCSLPH does not receive personnel medical information from the occupational health provider, rather the Manager and Biosecurity Officer will be notified that personnel are/are not able to safely work in at the intended laboratory and any work restrictions or additional protective measures recommended. If restrictions and/or protective measures are required for you to work safely in this position, compliance with the measures or restrictions will be mandatory and will be included in your work plan. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. In addition to required medical services, at-risk employees are expected to immediately report changes in medical status to the occupational health provider and obtain updated medical clearance.
Doctoral degree in in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology or analytical chemistry or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of clinical laboratory or research experience;
OR
Master's degree in any of the above fields from an appropriately accredited institution and five years of clinical laboratory or research experience;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Pre-Employment criminal background checks are required for some positions.
Division of Public Health (DPH) main locations, including their grounds, are tobacco-free as outlined in the Tobacco-free Campus Policy. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, “vape products” and all smokeless tobacco products, may not be used in the indicated areas. For more information, please see the policy and FAQ posted here: http://publichealth.nc.gov/employees/
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. You will either receive a call to schedule an interview or an email notifying you when the job has been filled.
For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. Applicants will be communicated with via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR, 919-707-5450.
Please refer to the link below for additional information:
https://oshr.nc.gov/work-nc/how-do-i-get-job
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